WAR AND PEACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20209, 30 March 1940, Page 5

WAR AND PEACE

POSITION CLARIFIED AN IMPRESSIVE STEP ACTION APPLAUDED “TRIUMPH FOR REYNAUD” (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, March 30. The solemn declaration of the unity of Britain and France has created a profound impression throughout the world. It is unanimously acclaimed here not only for the determination of its tone, but also for the clarity of the conditions laid down for the making of peace.

The Manchester Guardian says that the declaration does not go beyond what everybody has taken for granted about unity in war and the making of peace, but it is good to have it stated explicitly and in the firmest terms. Important as is the reassurance to opinion, both here and in France, still more important is the indication to Germany and non-belligerents with claims io make that neither of the Allies can be detached.

Streamer headlines in to-day's papers stress the Franco-British undertaking not to conclude a separate armistice or peace.

The Supreme War Council's statement is regarded as a personal triumph for the new Prime Minister, M. Reynaud. It is felt that he could have chosen a no more successful way of gaining Parliamentary support. The clause stipulating that the Allies will not discuss peace before their agreement regarding security is designed to prevent a recurrence of the situation when the Allies, after the Great War, were seriously divided on the question of peace terms. General Duval, writing in the Journal, expresses the opinion that the agreement will ensure a lasting peace after victory. The Petit Parisien says that it was a great act of which the future will show the importance. “Pertinax,” in L’Ordre, says that those who still dream of separating Britain and France will be disillusioned.