ANGLO-FRENCH DISPUTES OVER FINANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22819, 14 December 1948, Page 5

ANGLO-FRENCH DISPUTES OVER FINANCE

(1.30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, after Christmas, may go to Paris to discuss Anglo-French relations which are worst than at any time since the Vichy Government, says the Daily Mirror. The following are the differences: 1. The French Government’s refusal to accept austerity and balancing of the Budget, implied by agreeing to Sir Stafford Cripps’ four-year plan. 2. French anger at Anglo-American policy in planning to build up German industry. 3. Misunderstanding fomented by General de Gaulle—as to the pari Britain is ready to play in European defence in the event of war. The newspaper addeci it was felt that the French Government had shown little desire to discuss the financial situation with Sir Stafford Cripps and might be more willing to go into broader issues with Mr. Bevin. Reuter’s correspondent in Paris says that Sir Stafford Cripps’ projected visit to try to reconcile the differences between the British and French fouryear plans for European co-operation will not take place until January at the earliest.