France Seeks Peace

Southland Times, Issue 24156, 19 June 1940, Page 6

France Seeks Peace

BRITAIN’S offer to establish an Anglo-French Union, with reciprocal rights of citizenship for both peoples, was a heroic last-minute effort to prevent the French Government from signing an armistice with Germany. Up to a late hour last night no report of France’s reply had been received in New Zealand. The two most probable explanations for this hesitancy are: (1) the French did not want to commit them-

selves either way until Hitler disclosed his terms, and (2) they intended to reject Britain’s offer, but had no wish to announce a decision which would reveal the desperateness of their position. If Britain’s proposal is not accepted, it will be for the same reasons which brought France to the verge of capitulation. It would not matter, at the moment, whether the two nations remained allies, or became members of the proposed union: the immediate problems of strategy and defence remain unchanged. The attractions of the scheme, from the French point of view, were all of a long-term nature. They improved the outlook in that the thought of ruined towns, devastated fields and failing resources could be made less oppressive by the knowledge that the tremendous work of reconstruction would be shared, on equal terms, by the British people. To that extent, the offer might have strengthened the will- to resist. But the problems which have overwhelmed the French Government are nearer, and more urgent. It is necessary to think, not of future benefits, but of present and desperate needs. Although the French armies are still intact, they are divided by German columns, and there now seems little chance of re-estab-lishing a continuous line. Difficulties of supply must be increasing rapidly. Refugees are overflowing from the occupied areas, and the industrial life of the country must be almost at a standstill. Britain has already done everything possible, in a limited time, to give the help so badly needed; but some weeks or months may have to pass before the workshops can replace the equipment lost in the Battle of Flanders. The United States Government has promised to make redoubled efforts to increase the production of armaments; but here again the time factor presents a difficulty which the French appear to find insuperable. There can be no doubt that the situation is bad: otherwise the guarantees of early assistance would be a sufficient inducement to continue the struggle. Much will now depend on Hitler’s peace terms. The Nazis will strive to make a quick settlement, and it is possible that their demands may be less drastic than is generally feared. They are certain to stipulate the surrender of the French Navy and Air Force as essential conditions for a settlement. A dangerous possibility is that the French representatives will agree to give up the Navy in return for concessions which may seem to be substantial. But once the fleet is in German hands there can be no guarantee that any pledges will be honoured. By retaining the Navy, the French have a chance of saving their North African colonies. Without it, they may well lose everything. Desperate men clutch at straws; and in their dark hour the French leaders may be tempted to stake the destiny of their country on the promises of a dictator whose “honour” has become a term to be treated with derision and contempt. It will be the earnest hope of British and American people that France can be spared the final tragedy of betrayal.