BRITISH-FRENCH RELATIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 212, 7 September 1945, Page 3

BRITISH-FRENCH RELATIONS

DISCUSSION SOON PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED. Recd 6 p.m. London, Sept. 3. The British and Fre..ch relations will be discussed in London when M. Bidault arrives here a few days before the Foreign Ministers’ comerence wh.ch begins on September 10. Tbe British Governme. t is anxious to mend relationships between the two countries and Mr. Bevin is reported to have been giving considerable attention to the question, also to the del.cate matter of the Levant. French Socialist and Radical Parti.es have called for closer British and French relations and it is stated that many Frenchmen, including such eminent figures as M. Herr.ot, feel that as important as are freindiy relations with Russia and America, there is a far greater identity of outlook and interests between France and Britain and that the e arly conclusion of a French and Br tish treaty is a matter of urgency for both countries. It is noted in London, however, that while General de Gaulle makes trip." to Moscow ai d Washington, he cannot be induced to come to London. It is. savs “The Economist,” a disappointing riolicy for France’s friend and neighbour and adds: "Many of the problems which Ge; eral de Gaulle broached in Washington are of much grea! ' in* ere t to Britain than the Unite:! States. Both countries need American aid but botli will be hampered bv shortage of dollars and could give each other cons derable. assistance in surmounting it.” VISIT TO WASHINGTON.

“The isconom.be expresses tae opinion, however, tout closer xinusn anu hioiicn relations will not oe easy so long as Genera, de Gauue remainim ai the head of French auaiiv. Reports indicate that the political results o. General de Gaimes visit to Vvasn.,.gton hate deeply disappointed Ins supporters, notwitnstaiiumg the welcome economic aid promised uy tne U..,teu blares. , it is commented by “The Observer s diplomatic corre. pendent that the failure 01 General ce Gaul.es bid for American support in poetical ant. diplomatic matters follow.ng the oovious oannruptcy ot ins earlier pol e; towarus Russia raises again tne ciencate question of rrc.ch att tuae towards Britain, General de Gau.ithoped for poi.tical concession from Amer.ca which would help restore t rance to her former position among the great Bowers. These include.! a larger zone of occupation al.olted to France a. d greater consideration oFrencn claims lor repartitions from Germany, an assurance that France would be treated as a fun equal by America, Britain and Russia ,n their counc.ls, American support for the Fre..ch demand that tne Ruhr shou.t. be placed under the permanent control of the United Nations and recognition of French control over Indo-Chi..a. POTSDAM DECISIONS.

The United States Government made it clear they were will.ng, indeeu anxiom, to help generously in tbe tas.. of France's rational rehabilitation but unwilling to go very lar to meet General de Gaulle s political aims. President Truman cons dere.-i the Polsoam decis ons sacrosanct and binding a..ci it is pointed out, on the demand for the internationalisation of the Ruin’, that Britain in part cular, would first have to be consulted. The "Sunday Times” Paris correspondent says reserve shown in regard to internationalisation does not necessarily exclude combi, ed control by those countries directly nlerested in the security of Ihe Rhine, such a... Britain, France, Belgium and Holland. There is reason to believe that Mr. Bevin is not averse to such compromise solution, which might go far enough to satisfy French aims in general and perhaps even Genera] de Gaulle's aims in particular. He adds that should British openmlndedness for such a compromise manifest itself dur g the coming negotiations tor a British am! French alliance, and should the French have drawn the right conclusions after the Washington conversations, those optim sts who expect a treaty to be made before th? Bril’sli Parliament meets and before the French elections may not he disappointed. The election campaign in France is reported to be well u der way, with General de Gaulle intending to take a very active part.