ANGLO-FRENCH TIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 236, 4 September 1945, Page 5

ANGLO-FRENCH TIES

RAPPROCHEMENT NEEDED. IDENTITY OE INTERESTS. (N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 3. Anglo-French relations will be discussed in London when the French Foreign Minister (M. Bidault) arrives here a, few days before the Foreign Ministers’ conference which begins on September 10. The British Government is anxious to mend the relationships between the two countries and Britain’s Foreign Secretary (Mr Bevin) is reported to have 1 been giving considerable attention to the question, particularly the delicate matter of tho Levant.

The French Socialist and Radical parties have called for closer AngloFrench relations, and it is stated that many Frenchmen, including such eminent figures as M. Herriot, feel that, important as are friendly relations with Russia and America, there is a far greater identity of outlook and interests between France and Britain and that the early conclusioh of a French-British treaty is a matter of urgency for both countries. It is noted in London, however, that while General de Gaulle makes trips to Moscow and Washington he cannot be induced to come to London. “It is,” says the Economist, “a disappointing policy for France’s friend and neighbour.” The paper adds that many of the problems which General de Gaulle broached in AVashington are of much greater interest to Britain than to the United States. Both countries need American aid, hut both will be hampered by a shortage of dollars and could give each other considerable assistance in surmounting it. The Economist expresses the opinion, however, that closer Anglo-French relations will not be easy so long as General dc Gaulle remains at the head of French affairs.

i SUPPORTERS DISAPPOINTED. Reports indicate that the political results of General de Gaulle’s visit to Washington have deeply disappointed his supporters, notwithstanding the welcome economic aid | promised by the United States. It is commented by the diplomatic correspondent of the Observer that the failure of General de Gaulle’s bid for American support in political and diplomatic matters, following the obvious bankruptcy of his earlier policy towards Russia, raises again the delicate question of the French attitude towards Britain. General de Gaulle hoped for political concessions frorii America which would help to restore France to her former position among the Great Powers. These included a larger zone of occupation allotted to trance and greater consideration ol French claims for from Germany-, an assurance that France would be treated as a full equal by America, Britain and Russia in their councils, American support for the French demand that the Ruhr should bo placed under the permanent control of the United Nations, and recognition of French control over Indochina.

The United States Government made it clear that it was willing, indeed anxious, to help generously in the task of France’s national rehabilitation, but was unwilling to go veryfar to meet General de Gaulle’s political aims. President Truman considered the Potsdam decisions sacrosanct and binding, and it was pointed out on the demand for the internationalisation of the Ruhr that Britain in particular would first have to be consulted.

The Paris correspondent of the Sunday Times says the reserve shown in regard to the internationalisation of the Ruhr does not necessarily exclude combined control by those countries directly, interested in the security of the Rhine, such as Britain, France, Belgium and Holland. There is reason to believe that Mr Bevin is not averse to such a compromise solution, which might go far enough to satisfy, the French aims in general and perhaps even General de Gaulle’s aims in particular. He adds that should British open-mindedness for such a compromise manifest itself during the coming negotiations for an Anglo-French alliance and should the French have drawn the right conclusions after the Washington conversations, these optimists who expect a treaty to be made before the British Parliament meets and before the French elections may not be disappointed. The election campaign in France, is reported to be well under wav with General de Gaulle intending to take a very active- part.