“OBSTINATE FOLLY”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 6

“OBSTINATE FOLLY”

CRITICISM OF THE ALLIES (N.Z.P.A, Special Correspondent.) LONDON, June 13. Uneasiness and- disappointment are felt in the present relationship between General de Gaulle and Britain and the United States. There is still, as General de Gaulle recently pointed out, no agreement between the French Committee and the Allied Governments regarding co-operation of die French administration with the Allied armies in French liberated territory. President Roosevelt has invited General de Gaulle to visit White House, and the Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent understands that General de Gaulle proposes to consult the committee in Algiers before sending a formal reply to President Roosevelt. The diplomatic correspondent of The Times, says the British Government’s great desire in recent weeks has been to see the whole Western Alliance more firmly established by agreement between the British and United State's Governments and the French leaders, and if a conference in Washington can clear the way it will count it as a substantial step forward. French officials in London seem equally dissatisfied, for it has long been apparent that the chief obstacle to an understanding has lain 1 between Washington and Algiers. On the whole, Britain has been .more than Washington to recognise the French provisional Government and acknowledge its authority to take full charge of the civil administration in France and. to lead the French people until free elections can be held. „ , The correspondent adds that the first hopes that the present London discussions would lead to a three-Power agreement were relinquished when President Roosevelt did not appoint a political representative to meet General de Gaulle. Little direct progress could be made on the political side, 1 especially as General/ de Gaulle himself hesitated to’ enter any BritishFrench political discussions, which could onlv become effective after being broadened by consultation with Wash- ■ ington. Means of opening a way forward were being sought in London when President Roosevelt’s invitation was announced. The Manchester Guardian comments: “If the military arrangemehts of the Allies were as. unintelligent as their political behaviour, the Gestapo would govern. Europe for another generation. It would be difficult to, match the obstinate folly of their treatment of France. The Allies explain that in France. they might easily be giving power to bad Frenchmen if they re- . garded the resistance movement as representing France even for a few months. They prefer to trust the intuitions of" Washington and Admiral Leahy’s pleasant memories of Vichy in their search for good Frenchmen rather than take the credentials of men who have fought for France and have given their children for her freedom.’’ jr The Daily Herald says: “ Never was there a more vivid and unfortunate example of the lag between military and political progress on the Allied side.”