A GLEAM OF HOPE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 6

A GLEAM OF HOPE

DIFFICULT POSITION

ANGLO-FRENCH RELATIONS

(Special P.A. Correspondent.) Rec. 9.30 a.m. LONDON, June 22

The adoption of the resolution by the French Consultative Assembly urging the Government to increase its efforts to conclude a! Franco-British pact provides a welcome gleam of hope of relieving the difficult position into which Anglo-French relations^ have fallen. There is no doubt that the state of these relations has become grave as a result of events in Syria, and 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, being mindful of French promises, the background of resurgent nationalism among the Arabs, and also the importance of the link with the Far East. American opinion also supported Britain, while Russia apparently regarded the French actions with some dubiousness. Nevertheless, with some notable exceptions the great body of French public opinion believes that the Syrians started the recent fighting, that the British policy at least gave them tacit encouragement, and that Britain desires Syria for herself. . Mr. Churchill stated the British policy clearly in the House of Commons last week. "The British have no ambitions or desires for aggrandisement in Syria," he said.' "We have no idea of trying to supplant ,oui 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 m Syria. That we shall support, but only in counsel. It is not for us to pull it down. We shall be 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 the moment that a treaty has been reached we will withdraw our troops from the country.' CRITICISM OF BRITAIN. These remarks have not prevented. General de Gaulle making bitter criticism of Britain. "The British pressure took every kind of form, from friendly requests to pure and simple threats," he said. "Sometimes they tried.to substitute British interests for French interests, for instance, in the use of France's share in the Mosul petrol or in the 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 required otherwise." General de Gaulle's refusal to take part in the three-Power conference, followed by Britain's rejection of his proposal of a five-Power conference including Russia and China, resulted in a deadlock. While there is little encouragement to be derived from these exchanges, the position ir not wholly devoid of brighter points, These have been remarks by MM. Herriot and Pierre.Cot, now followed by the resolution of the Consultative Assembly. M. Herriot is reported to be probably the only personality in France, after General de Gaulle, who could command the respect of a majority in the nation, but who apparently is not yet prepared to enter the Government. He said of Anglo-French relations: "It is true that we sometimes indulge "in little disputes, I but is it not also true that family disputes strengthen the bonds of a happy marriage. We must never, never forget that it was through betrayal by our leaders that . England found herself 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 j when we abandoned them." On an-1 other occasion M. Herriot said: "We must remain faithful to this old friendship, because the British are people who love justice and freedom and who perhaps love liberty more than- we do." . "MORE HUMANITY." M. Pierre Cot, who is reported to be far from generally popular in France, yet made the speech in the debate in the Consultative Assembly which was most applauded. 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 today. 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. There is in Britain a growing awareness that General de Gaulle, who has won public admiration as a solitary light to shine for France in the dark days after 1940, is as "difficult" as .those who had to deal with him in London always realised. Jt 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 for the moment, he is following the timeworn custom of national leaders in an uncertain position of focusing the country's attention on an external dispute in which the 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 the election was made in the course of a Press conference about Syria.

It is felt here that much responsibility for the improvement of AngloFrench relations will depend on the attitude of General de Gaulle. In the meantime, the note 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 an AngloFrench pact