UNITY IN THE FACE OF CRISIS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23831, 10 June 1939, Page 11

UNITY IN THE FACE OF CRISIS

TOE BASIS OF FRENCH FOREIGN POLICY

In this month of May 1 am happy to describe, as I see it, the position of France in respect of international problems. It is easy to define. France has never been more united than at present. United ih itself and united with its friends.

One thing I wish to say is that all the French people are passionately interested in the voyage of their Britannic Majesties to Canada; all Frenchmen, subjugated by the personality of the British Sovereigns since their visit to Paris, associate themselves with the moving tributes which thousands of children have offered to their King and -their Queen. These ovations were pronounced in the French language and all those of this speech have approved and appreciated the statement of the Prime Minister of the province of Quebec, While affirming their allegiance to the British Crown, their attachment to its ancestral traditions, the fact that the King of England has seen fit to come to Canada to affirm the solidarity of this alliance is enough to afford a deep satisfaction to all who are French in heart. The Prime Minister of Quebec, Mr Duplessis, has made a speech which will go down to history, when he reclaims the

protection of the British throne for the democratic institutions and the constitutional liberties reproved clsGwlisrs, •* After the message of President Roosevelt, and with it, the declaration of King George is the oest answer to certain more or less violent haran ues; the fact that the sovereign spoke in French is to the French mind a proof of his extreme courtesy. It is also an admirable lesson of liberalism that the British sovereign does not seek to create a division between two races which have found 'heir home on the Canadian soil. He asks them to persevere in their union and in their mutual tolerance. The chief of one of the most powerful States of world accepts the homage addressed to him in the name of democracy and freedom. When perusin these significant words, I saw an image of this charming city of Quebec, which in certain respects resembles the French Kmfleur; I thought of this battlefield /here, in earlier days, French and English were opposed to jach Others but with so much courtesy; I saw in my mind's eye the convent where the souvenir of Montcilm is hallowed by the pious reverence of the sisters. In the name of the French people, I salute all those Canadians, who, assembled today an'ter the same flag, lead their life in a land of free men. And in this marvellous journey, 1 see a further proof, the most deeply symbolical, of the intimacy which now exists between the sons of Great Britain and the <ons of France. Another favourable factor its that this friendship has been proclaimed in a country bordering upon the United States, to which we largely owe that declaration of the rights of man of which France is at present about to celebrate the anniversary. The main result of the events which have taken place in Europe during the last year (the annexation of Austria, of Bohemia and of Moravia, also the annexation of Albania) has been to provoke in France, not only in the metropolis, but m all regions governed by the French flag, an increasing concentration of public opinion, which is now; at its maximum. It is fair to admit that the same was not the case in September, 1938, at the moment of the Munich Conference. Not that the mobilisation then deemed necessary gave rise to any incident whatever But, while some feared the continued development of a policy of violence founded on the conjugated theories of race and of vital space, other Frenchmen confidently believed, as they had been told, that the settlement of the Sudete problem was the last claim to be advanced by Ger many.

Events have proved that this was not the case. The totalitarian States have pursued and increased their demands. M. Daladier's journey made it possible to observe the reaction of French public opinion Corsica, enthusiastic, opposed any idea of concession at her expense; the Moslem populations of North Africa acclaimed the head of the French Government and the French flag. And, in many ways, the black pooulations have made known their unconquerable attachment to that France of the revolution who earlier proclaimed her recognition of the equality of all. whatever their colour and their race. Since then, the concentration of public opinion has become still more marked France has made it a point of honour not to reply to certain insults and unfair appreciations—but it should nol be forgotten that she has not ignored them At the present moment, France is unanimous behind her Govemment. In this connection it is necessary to rely upon the President of the Chamber of Deputies, who witnessed the debate of May 11 last. Among Frenchmen there may be differences of opinion as to this or that point of home policy or taxation. But no divergences exist as to the foreign policy approved by the Prime Minister. As requested by him, France coolly and patiently accepts the trial imposed upon her There are certain peodes who rarely err in their appreciation.of material factors, but almost always in their estimate of the mora] factors The Frenchman can more readily agree to reason than to intimidation He does not wish to dominate—but he will not be dominated. He is prepared to collaborate, but not to be governed. He accepted to make an exceptional effort to support that so nobly undertaken by the British people. He adhered to the earlier engagements made on his behalf. He detests violence, but he ratifies the words pronounced by tha head of

By Edouard Herriot, President of the French Parliament.

World copyright 1939 by Cooperation.

his Government: "We have not yielded and we will not yield." /mother diplomatic campaign of the greatest importance is being pursued in constant agreement with Great Britain. The conclusion of the Anglo-Turkish agreement appeared to guarantee the peace in a particularly efficient manner This has been a source of especial gratification to me personally. I have seen on the spot the organisation of Turkey due to a man of genius after the war. This outstanding statesman founded a democratic republic on the ruins of despotism and transformed all institutions in order to bring them up to the level of an honest and laborious population. I had hoped that this republic would come to an agreement with the liberal countries. This hope has been fulfilled And 1 am glad to congratulate the Great Assembly of Ankara which has unanimously voted this agreement. The same is true in the case of the U.S.S.R. I hope that I shall be allowed to express myself without resoect of persons and of the criticism made when I proclaimed my conviction on this subject (as was, moreover, the case as regards the payment of the debts to the United States). To realise the importance of a general agreement of democratic nations, it is enough to open a map. Foreign policy is conducted on this basis and not otherwise The results of the barbed-wire policy of the past are well known. Mr Oumansky, the new Ambassador of the U.S.S.R. in the United States has just made a speech at the New York Exhibition which impressed me considerably. "Our country's external policy," he said, "reflects the will of our people to ensure peace and international security." I hope that, for this purpose, an agreement will be concluded between England and the U.S.S.R. as soon as possible. This solution seems to me to be the sole indicated to achieve this aim. I speak on behalf of my country. Therefore, should Germany be*encircled? No, certainly not. It might be possible to speak of an attempt to encircle France. Proof,-if required, is easy. There are many French who have testified our desire to afford our great neighbour across the Rhine a treatment conforming to her honour and her interests. When, in agreement with Marshal Foch, I evacuated the Ruhr; when I signed, after discussion with the Germans, the London Act which was designed to settle the question of reparations; when the Dawes Plan was converted into the Young Plan; when France prematurely liberated the left bank of the Rhine; when she paciiflcally settled the Saar problem; when she requested Germany to adhere to the League of Nations: all this was in the hope.of including in an international community people whose merits were appreciated and with whom France wished to collaborate in the interests ot humanity Quite recently, President Roosevelt frankly oi ered to make a study of their needs. The French Government accepted this procedure. The same was offered to Italy In 1935, France believed on Italy's own statement, that the problems raised ov her had been settled. An armed conflict between the French and Italian" brothers would have been madness! Is it France's fault if her liberal policy has failed? France is completely averse to war. As stated by M. Daladier on May 11 Franct solemnly renews her assurance that ... wishes to live with all nations on terms of brotherhood and peace. As he also said, France knows that, war aggravates rather than solves difficulties War is barbarous and stupid. What the French definitely oppose is chronic violence, the consistent rupture of treaties, the denunciation of a promise, the constant triumph of force over liberty. This idea lies at the root of the solid and levelheaded union realised among the whole French people, union among themselves, union with their friends. This is France's line of resistance.

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