Teleprinter message D1245 [MELBOURNE] [5 July 1940, 5.40 p.m.] [1]
Received 15 July 1940, 5.48 p.m.]
SECRET AND URGENT
The following Minute from the Director of Naval Intelligence is
forwarded for the urgent information of the Department of External
Affairs and yourself. Also appended is a copy of the signal
referred to therein. Copies are being furnished to the Prime
Minister [2] and the Minister for External Affairs [3]-
NEW CALEDONIA
A.C.N.S. [4]
CHIEF OF NAVAL STAFF. [5]
SECRET
It is submitted that the attached signal (0104Z/5) from S.O.(1)
Sydney, may be made available to the Department of Defence Co-
ordination, Prime Minister’s Department, and Department of
External Affairs.
2. It is suggested that steps should be taken to prevent M.
Tremoulet from leaving Australia for any of the French Colonial
possessions, and that consideration be given to the desirability
of withholding from transmission any telegrams addressed by M.
Tremoulet to French overseas authorities.
3. It is already known that M. Tremoulet is fully supporting the
Bordeaux Government, and that he has endeavoured to persuade
French civilians in Australia to act likewise.
(Sgd.) R. B. M. Long,
Director of Naval Intelligence.
5/740.
SECRET
To D.N.I., Melbourne, from S.O. (1) Sydney. 0104Z/5
Information received from reliable source that French Consul-
General Tremoulet planning to leave for New Caledonia by the first
possible means. There he will probably tip balance in favour of
Bordeaux Government. Understand recent situation in New Caledonia
Governor [6], senior 2/5 Government servants and two important
firms Barreau and Bolande favour Bordeaux while junior 315
Government servants, Administrative Council, which has only
domestic powers, and most ordinary residents, favour dose co-
operation with Australia. Military Intelligence informed.
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1 Times and date of dispatch and receipt have been taken from the
copy on file AA: A981, Consuls 127,i
2 R. G. Menzies.
3 John McEwen.
4 Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Captain J. Burnett).
5 Admiral Sir Ragnar Colvin.
6 Georges Pelicier.
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[AA:A3195,1940, 15170]
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