New Stages In De Gaulle Plan?

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30042, 29 January 1963, Page 13

New Stages In De Gaulle Plan?

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, January 28.

Paris observers were speculating that President de Gaulle might be “preparing further moves north and .south in his own brand of continental diplomacy,” “The Times” correspondent reported from Paris.

The correspondent said the speculation arose from President de Gaulle’s suggestion that Denmark might, without Britain, apply for full membership. Speculation had also been aroused by reports of forthcoming visits to Madrid by French Ministers. “The Times” said: “Certainly, with the French official view persisting that the negotiations with Britain stand adjourned, the timing of the General’s suggestion to Mr Krag, the Danish Prime Minister, might lend support to the view advanced that he is not above attempting to drive a wedge between Britain and the E.F.T.A. countries.

“It should be emphasised, however, that there is no evidence of French enticement. Mr Krag was seeing the General at his own request.” The “Daily Mail” and the “Daily Telegraph” today regarded the recently-signed French-German treaty as being charged with dangers for Europe. “Step by sitep since 1945. the old enmities of the Continent have been dying,” the “Daily Mail” said. “An era of co-operation had begun, aided and encouraged by the United States and Britain.

“The coping stone was to be the Common Market, including Britain and linking the Commonwealth. the United States and other likeminded nations in a vast community of mutual interest. Grand Design “This was the grand design. There had been nothing like it before. Now it will be at least halted, and at worst overthrown "In its place de Gaulle intends to erect the kind of power-political system based on fear, jealousy and exclusiveness—which has racked Europe for centuries. “The new French-German treaty, containing military articles—and secret clauses, for all we know—is becoming the nucleus of something even more sinister. De Gaulle is reaching out to Spain and Portugal. What for?

"The whole thing is ominously like Hitler’s new order. which imprisoned France 20 year* ago and from which the Anglo-Saxons rescued her. Now de Gaulle wants to eliminate us from Europe. This is our reward. “Hitler had a subservient Petain, aged 84. De Gaulle has a subservient Adenauer, aged 87 The parallel is remarkable. And perhaps the Gallic revenge is sweet. "Dangerous Game” “He (de Gaulle) is playing a dangerous game, and the last moves have yet to be made. Adenauer is also gambling with his entire post-war policy ”... If he (Adenauer) thinks he can play fast and loose with Britain and America at the bidding of his French friend, he might find his mistake.” the "Daily Mai!" said

The ” Daily Telegrep ” said there was no reason, either in Britain or on the Continent, to be less than outspoken about the “unhappier and more dangerous” aspects of the new FrenchGerma" pact. "Interpreted in the right spirit there has never been any reason why the remarkable rapprochement between France and Germany should not make a massive contribu-

tton to the right kind of European unity. “B -jt given the wrong twist, is it may well have been, the new Franco-Ger-man link could have a very different effect. “A bilateral tie across the Rhine born of the desire to reassert French, and German, national glory would strike at the roots of Germany’s true interests, of European unity and the West’s strength. There need be no illusions in Bonn or Brussels about that,” said the “Daily Telegraph.” Ending With Bang

The “Observer” said yesterday: “If fruitful negotiations for Britain’s entry to the Common Market prove tomorrow to be impossible, as the British Government now expects, the Cabinet intends to suspend the talks immediately—and not with a whimper, but with a bang. “The Government believes it would be economically damaging and politically disastrous to let negotiations drag on without any serious chance of success, and will refuse the ‘cooling-off’ period advocated by Dr. Adenauer, unless he can show it would really bring agreement nearer.” According to a report of French spokesmen quoted by the “Economist,” a “grand design in foreign policy to include an entente of some kind with Moscow to follow the American withdrawal from Europe,” seems to be President de Gaulle’s next aim. .

Soccer at Rugby.—Soccer is being officially allowed at Britain's famed public school of Rugby this term tor first time.—London. Jan 26.