GERMANY AND FRANCE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25811, 24 May 1949, Page 5

GERMANY AND FRANCE

VIEWS OF. GENERAL DE GAULLE

EUROPE’S ONLY HOPE SEEN IN AN UNDERSTANDING (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) PARIS, May 23. Only a strengthened and regenerated France could provide the necessary balance against the new Germany and thus make possible an understanding between France and Germany, said General de Gaulle. That was Europe’s only hope. “There must be no illusions,” he said. “The Bonn solution means the reconstitution of the Reich (a centralised Germany as opposed to a federated Germany). The Reich may go with the East or the West. The nature of the Reich is never to accept the status Quo. “The only hope now lies ip a new solution of the problem, and the chance that one day perhaps there will be a genuine understanding between the French and German peoples. “This involves conditions. The chief oi these is that France be reborn and become strong by her own effort and within her empire, particularly in Africa.”

General de Gaulle added that France must weigh as heavily in the balanc.e as Germany, especially economically, if an understanding between the two countries was to be possible. This meant that France must have a firm and clear policy, and must therefore first of all change its political regime. He said that the North Atlantic Pact was of immense value and significance, but it would be a mistake for France to ratify it until “certain necessary consequences” of the pact had been realised.