A Free French Colony
The decision of the Governor of the Territory of the Chad, in French Equatorial Africa, supported by the Military Com- mander, to stand by General de Gaulle and fight on by the side of Great Britain, is of more than symbolic importance. The Territory is to the south of Italian Libya and west of the Sudan, and it matters a great deal strategically that this area should be actively held for the Allies. In a proclamation issued on August 26th the Governor and Military Commander base their decision on the twofold ground that economic isolation would be disastrous for the population and that a continuance of the war by France beyond the seas will contribute to the restoration of a free France. Mr. Churchill has responded by promising to help the trade and administration of French tern. tones cut off from France as if they were British colonies, and especially when they rally to the leader of all free Frenchmen. It remains to be seen how the rulers of the rest of the vast tern_ tory of French Equatorial Africa, and also of French West Africa, will be affected by the example of Chad. In these regions at least Frenchmen are able to hear the truth about the Petain Government and about Britain's conduct of the war, and to form an independent judgement about the interests of France and the help Britain is able to offer to her Empire.
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