French Want Bigger Say In Peace

Northern Advocate, 4 January 1946, Page 3

French Want Bigger Say In Peace

PARIS, January 3,

The text of the French Government’s reply to the decisions of the Moscow Conference was approved at a six-hour meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, says “The Times” correspondent. France neither accepts nor rejects the decisions communicated by the United States Secretary for State (MrByrnes) but seeks more precise information about how the peace treaties are to be concluded and the extent of the powers of the Peace Assembly, which, as Britain, America and Russia suggested should meet in Paris next May. The French Government received three Notes from Mr Byrnes. The first gave the general results of the conference and inquiring whether France would agree to the Peace Assembly in Paris.

The second detailed the measures for controlling the use of atomic energy.

The third outlined the settlement reached on Far Eastern questions. MORE INFORMATION The French reply was based on the first Note, and “The Times” correspondent says General de Gaulle and the majority of his Cabinet felt unable to take a more positive attitude until more information was available about the three Foreign Ministers’ ideals and aims.

The correspondent adds that General de Gaulle undoubtedly cast his Government for a far more responsible role in the peace settlement than the three Foreign Ministers accorded it. He especially wants to know what opportunities France will have of stating her case for the internationalisation of the Ruhr, also what is to be the function of the Peace Assembly and whether it is to be limited merely to hiking cognisance of decisions in which t.ie majority of the participants, including France, had no part. NATIONAL DIGNITY If so, there could be little point in accepting the proposals that the Assembly should meet in Paris. The correspondent adds that the French Government has been moved by General de Gaulle’s determination to salve the national dignity on an issue they regard as little less than humiliating.

In so doing, it is argued, they have rendered a service to the smaller nations who. it is felt, have some claim to take part in one or another of the peace treaties.

The French Government undoubtedly feels the need for an assurance that the three Powers will not yield to the temptation to agree among themselves at the expense of others.