Teleprinter message D262 [MELBOURNE], [13 September 1940, 6.28
p.m.] [1]

MOST SECRET IMPORTANT

The Prime Minister [2] has approved of the following message being
despatched by the Naval Board to H.M.A.S. ADELAIDE repeated to the
High Commissioner for the Western Pacific [3] and the New Zealand
Naval Board-
(Begins)
'Pass following message from Prime Minister Australia to British
Resident Commissioner, Vila [4], for Monsieur Sautot. [5] Begins.

Communication received from Secretary of State for Dominion
Affairs [6] addressed to Commonwealth Government of Australia,
High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and New Zealand
Government requesting Sautot should be notified forthwith of his
appointment by General de Gaulle [7] as temporary Governor of New
Caledonia, Commissioner-General of the Western Pacific and High
Commissioner of the New Hebrides. The terms of the appointment are
as follows from General de Gaulle:

Begins. I desire that the situation in New Caledonia should be
urgently settled in accordance with the wish of the population. I
confirm your appointment as temporary Governor of New Caledonia
and High Commissioner of Western Pacific, and I request you will
proceed urgently to Noumea and take up your duties at your post,
ensuring that the sloop DUMONT D'URVILLE and civil and military
authorities will rally to the cause. I deeply wish for the
immediate rallying of New Caledonia, but I insist that the
outlined operation shall be conducted as a French operation in its
form and manner and under French flag with merely contingent
support from H.M.A.S. ADELAIDE but without any naval engagement
taking place. I am convinced that a firm attitude will ensure a
rallying of New Caledonia without any naval or land battle being
involved, and I rely on you to conduct operations to die best
advantage. Ends.

This appointment leaves Sautot discretion to deal with any
dissentient elements as seen by him best in the circumstances
after he has taken over control. He may like to know that Free
French Administration now set up in Equatorial Africa had adopted
policy of offering dissentient elements alternative of remaining
and co-operating or of freely leaving territory. Before leaving
Vila Sautot should also be given following message from de Gaulle
regarding his successor:-

Begins-I approve of your proposal to appoint Kuter [8] as French
Resident Commissioner in New Hebrides. Ends'
[(Ends)]

2. A message has been received from the Admiralty Reporting
Officer, Noumea [9], acknowledging H.M.A.S. ADELAIDE's plan for
landing Sautot, which states that 'President local de Gaulle
Committee [10] unaware until today of imminent appointment and
arrival at Noumea of Sautot and request action be delayed short
time until adequate preparations are made, when you will be
immediately notified.' The following reply is being despatched to
the Admiralty Reporting Officer, Noumea, and for Mr. Ballard.

Repeated ADELAIDE and for British Resident Commissioner, Vila,
High Commissioner for Western Pacific, and New Zealand Naval
Board, from the Naval Board:-

'Your 1900Z/12 acknowledged. Sautot has been appointed Governor.

Necessary to know very soon probable date operation should
commence, as ADELAIDE is only available for a few days more.'