Evening star., 1939-01-01
French Arms Backing Refusal
To Yield Territories to Italv
Nation Is Unanimous in Declaration That France
Will Fight Before Giving Mussolini
Any Colonies
By Constantine BrOwn.

ny l. OnStQf
IAN article ON the background of
Italys colonial aspirations Uiu be
found ON page B-3J
PARIS.-"France is determined not to
yield an inch of her territory regardless
of the pressure any power may exert"
said Georges Bonnet, co-author Of the
Munich pact and the only French cabi-
net officer who still maintains that the
agreement of last September was bless
ing in disguise.
1--WE are determined to fight this time.
We have had enough of blackmail by the
totalitarian states" high-ranking and
responsible French army officer declared
to the writer. I'VE took it on the chin
at Munich because there was no other
way out. Our soldiers would have fought
then without hesitation but also without
enthusiasm. But if anybody attempts
to cut off an inch of Frances territory
and We consider Tunisia such-we will
fight to the last man. We have had
enouh pussy-footing. Since March, 1896,
we have followed a policy of yielding to
the threat of force. We have come to
the end of our patience and if the
Italians want to challenge us, we are
ready for them"
This view seems to be shared by almost
every Frenchman. The grim danger of
an inevitable war sometime, somewhere,
hangs over his head. The Munich
peace" has been Debated. Even foreign
Office officials smile vaguely when they
talk about Munich" M. Bonnet, the
principal godfather of that agreement,
is sticking by his guns publicly, but in
private he admits that recent interna-
tional developments have not come up
to his expectations. In less than two
months the Munich hen has Matched the
following chicks: The italian claims in
Tunisia, demands for share in control
OF the Suez Canal; the cession-offcially
or otherwise-of Djibouti the possible
reconstruction of the Kingdom of
Ukraine composed of the Ukranians in
Ruthenia, Poland and the U. S. S. r.
under the probable rule of the 21-year-
old Grand Duke Vladimir, son of the de-
ceased pretender to the Russian throne,
Grand Duke Cyril; the Memel plebiscite
and other minor but still undeveloped
chicks
Bonnet Admits Threat Real.
The Italian manifestation for the pos
session of Tunisia and Djibouti was not
unexpected. 1t formed the subject of
conversation between Hitler and Musso-
lini at Munich before the ink on the mo
more war" pact with Mr. Chamberlain
was dry. 1t was known in certain
French quarters in Paris but was poo
pooed by M. Bonnet and his aides. To-
day, however, they admit privately that
the threat is real and that despite any
show Of French strength Mussolini, once
embarked on this adventure, will have to
follow through.
French offlcialdom, French newspapers
and the army of French lecturers touring
the country are unanimous in declaring:
France will fight" Foreigners who dis
play any skepticism are reminded that
every time France lost a war or was
Inundated in Europe, it expanded and
conquered new territories in Africa or
Asia. These she cannot yield; they are
part and parcel of France. Czecho-
Slovakia was an advanced position USE
full in the event of war against Germany
From strategic and tactical point of
view it was 10 times more important
than many French colony. But the
man in the street does not understand
that the 80 Czech divisions the French
general staff can no longer count upon
and the Notifications in the Sudetenland
colonial territory.
Hence the declarations of the govern
ment and its propaganda agents are well
received. The French are giroiing them
selves to fight if Mussolini pushes them
that far, hopeful that the British Will be
on their side in the hour of reckoning.
French Army Prepared.
From the military point of view the
French Army seems fully prepared for
any emergency against Italy.
Near Tunisia the Italians have some
thing like $4,000 men. There are six
divisions 100000 mem of first-class met
ropolitan troops and some $4,000 natives
who, under the leadership of hand picked
Italian officers, could give good account
of themselves. In addition there is Field
Marshal Balbo's air force of some 2S5
planes, which can easily be augmented
by additional planes from Italy, or Sicily.
The six regular divisions are compile
mented by completely equipped motor
lied units-tanks, armored cars, armored
motor cycles-all especially built for
service in the desert.
French strength appears less imposing.