FRENCH ATTITUDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25299, 5 September 1945, Page 7

FRENCH ATTITUDE

ANXIETY IN .BRITAIN COMMON INTERESTS I'OLIPY OF BE GAULLE (Special Correspondent) LONDON*, Sept. 15 Relations between France and Britain will be discussed in London when the French Foreign Minister, M. Bidault, arrives in London within the next few days before the Foreign Ministers' Conference, which is to begin on September 10. The British Government is anxious to mend relationships between the two countries and the British Foreign Minister, Mr Ernest Bevin, is reported to have boon giving considerable attention to the question, also to the delicate matter of the Levant. The French Socialist and Radical parties have called for closer relations with Britain, aiyl it is stated that many Frenchmen, including such eminent figures as M. Herriot, a former Prime Minister, feel that important as are friendly relations with Russia and the United'States,'there is far greater identity of outlook and interests between France and Britain and that the early conclusion of a Franco-British treaty is a matter of urgency for both countries. Disappointing for Britain It is noted in London, however, that while General de Gaulle makes trips to M oscow and Washington, he cannot be induced to come to London. The Economist says it is a disappointing policy for France's friend and neighbour. "Many of the problems which General de Gaulle broached in Washington," the journal adds, "are of much greater interest to Britain than the United States. Both countries need American aid, but both will be hampered by shortage of dollars and could give each other considerable assistance in surmounting it."

The Economist expresses the opinion, however, that closer British-French relations will not be easy to achieve so long as General de Gaulle remains at the head of French affairs. 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. Political Concessions Sought The diplomatic correspondent of the Observer says the failure of General de Gaulle's bid for American support in political and diplomatic matters, following the obvious bankruptcy of his earlier policy toward Russia, raises again the delicate question of French attitude toward Britain. General de Gaulle hoped for political concessions from the United States which would help to restore France to her former position among the great Powers. These included a larger zone of occupation to be allotted to' France and greater consideration of French claims for reparations from Germany; assurance that France would be treated as a full equal by the United States, Britain and Russia in their councils; American support for the French demand that the Ruhr should be placed under the permanent control or the United. Nations; and recognition of French control over Indo-China. 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 very far to meet General dn Gaulle's political aims. Question of the Ruhr President Truman considers the Potsdam decisions sacrosanct and binding, and it was pointed out in connection with the demand for the internatioiialisation 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 internationalising the Ruhr does not necessarily exclude combined control by those countries which are directly interested in security on the Rhine — Britain, Franco, Belgium and Holland. There is reason to believe that Mr Bey in is not averse from such a compromise solution, which might far enough to satisfy French aims ill general, and perhaps even General de Gaulle s aims in particular. The correspondent adds that should British openmindedness for such a compromise manifest itself during the coming negotiations for a British-French alliance, and should the French have drawn the right conclusions after the Washington conversations, tjjose optimists who expect a treaty to be made before the British Parliament meets and before the French elections are held, may not he disappointed. TROOPS FROM ITALY DISCHARGES IN BRITAIN ROME, Sept. 8 More than 100,000 British troops were withdrawn from Italy last, month, of whom 90,000 went to Britain for discharge. Most of those repatriated travelled overland by way of Switzerland.