BRITAIN'S TURN TO MAKE NEXT MOVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 5

BRITAIN'S TURN TO MAKE NEXT MOVE

PACT WITH FRAKE

Strong Desire To Improve

Relations N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, June 22. The adoption of a resolution by the French Consultative Assembly, urging the Government to increase its efforts to conclude a pact between France and Britain has been warmly received in London, and provides a welcome gleam of hope of relieving the difficult position into which British and French relations have fallen.

There is no doubt that the state of these relations, despite Britain being more popular in France than for many years, and despite the .genuine desire in Britain for close friendship with France in the mutual interests- of both countries, have become grave as a result of events in Syria. In some quarters grave would be considered an understatement.

Public opinion in Britain fully supported the intervention of the British Government in Syria, still tainted by Vichy influences, and was mindful of French promises, the background of resurgent nationalism among the Arabs and the importance of the link with the Far East.

American opinion also supported Britain, while Russia apparently regarded French actions with some dubiousness. Britain and Levant Nevertheless, with some notable exceptions, the great body of French public opinion believes that the Syrians started the recent fighting and that British policy at least gave them tacit encouragement, also that Britain desires Syria for herself. Mr. Churchill stated the British policy clearly in the House of Commons last week, when he said: "The British have no ambitions or desires for aggrandisement in Syria." The Prime Minister also said: "We have no idea of trying to supplant our French friends in Syria. We have no wish to steal anybody's property in any portion of the globe. In this case there is the matter of French influence in Syria. That we shall support, but only in counsel. It is not for us to pull it down. We are very glad if France can manage herself in discussions with the Syrians and the Lebanese so that a satisfactory treaty can be arrived at, and we have said that at the moment when that treaty has been reached we will withdraw our troops from the country."

De Gaulle's Bitter Criticism These remarks have not prevented General de Gaulle from voicing bitter criticism of Britain. He said: "British pressure took every kind of form, from friendly requests to pure and simple threats. Sometimes they tried to substitute British interests for French interests, for instance in the use of France's share in Mosul petrol, or in exploitation of the oil refineries at Tripoli. Declarations of principle were made in , London, but, in fact, on the spot it was obvious to everyone that France was being progressively driven out. We have always given the Levant States de facto independence, except where the necessities of war have required otherwise."

General de Gaulle's refusal to take part in a three-Power conference, followed by Britain's rejection of his proposal of a five-Power conference, including Russia and China, resulted in a deadlock.. Herriot's Wise Counsel While there is little encouragement to be derived from these exchanges, the position is not wholly devoid of brighter points. These have been the remarks of M. Herriot and M. Pierre Cot, now followed by' a resolution of the Consultative Assembly.

M. Her riot is reported to be probably the only personality in France after General de Gaulle who could command the respect of .the majority in the nation, but who apparently is not prepared to enter the Government. He said of.British and French relations: "It is true that we sometimes indulge in little disputes, but is it not also true that family disputes strengthen the bonds of happy marriage? We must never never forget, that it was through betrayal by our leaders that England found her-, self alone. When you are tempted to a display of temper because of this or that Englishman, or this or that British agent, just ask yourselves what should we have done without the British, and what did they do in 1940 when we abandoned them?" "This Old Friendship" On another occasion M. Herriot said: "We must remain faithful to this old friendship because the British are a people who love justice and freedom and who, , perhaps, love liberty more than we do."

M. Pierre Cot, who is reported to be far from generally popular in France, yet made the most applauded speech in the Consultative Assembly debate. While agreeing with much of the criticism directed against Mr. Churchill for "interfering rather too much," he reminded the Assembly that if Mr. Churchill had not concerned himself with French affairs in 1940 there would have been no General de Gaulle to appeal to Frenchmen to celebrate. He declared that it was not physical force that would keep France great, but more fraternity and solidarity with her Allies and more humanity towards all. Prance's Internal Troubles There is in Britain a growing awareness that General de Gaulle, who won public admiration as a solitary light shining for France in the dark days after 1940, is as "difficult" as those who had to deal with him in London always realised. It is readily appreciated that he desires to rebuild France to her former greatness and that he is facing acute internal difficulties. But there is a feeling that, being unable to solve these difficulties at the moment, he is following the time-worn custom of national leaders in an uncertain position, of focussing the country's attention on an external dispute in which national prestige is at stake. General de Gaulle recently announced that some form of general election will be held this year and it has been noted that his declaration about an election was made in the course of a Press conference about Syria.

It is felt here, that much responsibility for the improvement of British and French relations will depend on the attitude of General de Gaulle. Meantime, the tone sounded in the Consultative Assembly is regarded as encouraging and there is support for. the opinion expressed here that it is now Britain's turn to make the next move towards securing both an improved position in Syria and a British and French pact.