The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1944-05-27
EbOue
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4
lishment OF this great governor gen.
eral."
Born and educated in the tradi-
ton OF democratic France, M
Eboue's passing marks the end OF
career devoted to the service OF
his country. He was the first of his
race to ever hold the rank of COVER
nor general of a French colony.
Born in 1884 in Cayenne. French
Guinea. he graduated with honors
from the high schools and college
in that French colonial city, at
tended school in Bordeaux. and re-
ceived a masters degree from the
Paris Law school.
Eboue was given the title Of a
colonial administrator after prepar-
alton at the Colonial institute in
Paris As colonial administrator,
he was sent TO Cubangui-Chari. a
territory Of French Equatorial Afri-
ca, where he stayed until 1890. One
of his outstanding contributions TO
that area is said TO be his promo
ton OF cotton crops. which brought
prosperity for the natives. Between
1890 and 1899, Eboue was in the
Sudan, in Martinique and Guade-
loupe. He was appointed governor
! OF the Chad territory in January
1889.
When he broke with the Vichy
government the following year,
Eboue became the first Of the
al nj go a.
rally TO the cause of Free France.
Spurred by his leadership, he locked
up French Equatorial Africa for the
allies which resulted in Ethiopia's
freedom.
At that time his three children
were in Nazi-occupied France,
trapped there by the Nizi invasion
while they were attending school
in Paris. When the news of his
break from the Vichy regime reach
ed high officials of Nazi-controlled
France. an attempt was made to
repudiate his declaration by holding
his children as hostages.
What can little French Africa
do?" said telegram sent him by
a Vichy government official. Think
Of your children"
Fully aware that his decision
might endanger the lives of his
children, Eboue ignored the threat
ening telegram and dispatched the
following wire TO Gen. de Gaulle:
I'm the spirit of the highest dis
cipline, | recognize no other author
ity than yours"
The Vichy regime dismissed him
from his post and deprived him OF
his rank as an officer OF the Legion
of Honor but Gen. de Gaulle imme-
dately confirmed him in civil con-
troll OF Equatorial Africa in October
1910. De Gaulle appointed him a
member OF the Council Of Defense
OF the French Empire in the Free
French organization.
The Lake Chad region, under
Eboue's governorship, served as a
base from which Free French forces
struck at the flank Of the German
and Italian forces during the fight
ing in Libya and from which they
made their final invasion of Algiers
He rallied the natives TO Frances
cause.
Eboue is credited with being the
moving spirit behind Fighting
Frances progressive program fol-
French colonies. One OF the out
standing features of that program
is TO attempt TO create a frame.
work OF local native administrator:
and. to that end, set up the insti-
tuition OF evolved notables." These
notableS are either French citizens
Of native origin or natives who have
proved their ability. or acquired 9
reputation in native communities
large or small.
NJ. Eboue is survived by a widow
Madame Eboue, and three children
No information regarding the nature
OF Eboue's illness nor funeral cere-
monies has been announced by Free
, French government officials.
The Fighting French cite the life
OF Felix Eboue when they utter
"liberte. egalite, fraternite."