Evening star., 1939-01-06

HLS u LIC LHHU " u SCTtcS "
articles on Europe After the
Munich Pact" by Constantine
Broun, The Stars commentator
on foreign affairs.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.
PARIS, France (by MaiD.-
france will not yield an inch of her
territories" This Foreign Minister
George Bonnet announces en-
phatically to the world either from
his seat in the Chamber or from the
foreign Office to diplomats and Jour-
nalists who ask him What about
Italy's claims?"
M. Bonnet is the head of the
French foreign ONCE; he is not a
diplomat. He could be described
better as an expert of finance. He
has found himself at the head Of the
Quai d'Orsay more or less by acci-
dent. Being compelled to give up
the ministry of finance, he was
given what was considered then the
next best Job, the ministry of for
eign affairs. His only previous ex-
perience in the field of diplomacy
has been short stay as French
Ambassador at Washington, where
he learned some English and a
few diplomatic tricks. When he
took over Frances foreign affairs
the situation was not as complicated
as it developed later. He did not
expect to have Hitler and Musso-
lini on his hands within a few
months after he had settled down
quietly in the gaudy palace of
Quai d'Orsay.
Bonnet is probably the most criti-
cized man in Paris today. He is
being held responsible for Munich
although it was Premier Daladier
who signed that pact. Bonnet is
accused of being the actual author
of the agreement and of having
doubled crossed the Czech govern
ment by indicating Frances abso-
lutte support to Czecho-Slovakia il
she were attacked and by telling
others sub-rosa that France would
never fight for the Central European
republic. Some day. he says, his
tory will show the whole truth
When the French blue book contain
ing all the correspondence ex-
changed with the London and the
Prague governments during the
fateful months between May and
September is published, his policy
will be vindicated.
Must Keep Silent Now.
For the time being he has to
keep silent under an avalanche OF
criticism. His conscience, however
is clear, because he knows that
he has done the only thing that
could have been done at the time
avoid a war with incalculable con-
sequences.
But now he voices the feeling
which exists everywhere in France
no more yielding to threats regard
less whence they come. Frances
| patience has reached the limit, hel
rearmament has progressed. If SHE
| is pushed too far she will turn round
and kick and bite.
This is the official attitude of the
French foreign secretary. He car
have no other.
But inwardly M. Bonnet is more
worried than he was in September
| On the basis of what he is tolC
by the army experts he is not con-
cerned over Italy's military power
He probably agrees with the genera
staff that in war between Italy
and France there can be no possible
doubt as to the outcome, complete
| victory for the French arms.
The foreign secretary, however
does not believe that there can be
such thing as war limited tt
France and Italy. He is certain that
regardless of how the Germans fee,
towards the Italians, regardless a:
to what future plans Hitler may
have in regard to Trieste and the
Italian Tyrol, the Germans mus
see that Italy is not defeated by q
democratic power. Consequently
reasons M. Bonnet, if victory were
to turn away from the italian
armies, the Germans will, by neceS-
sity, come to their rescue. He wishe:
only he were as sure of Britain.
help as Mussolini is of that of Herr
Hitler.
Tie to London Strong.
| Officially, the point of view Of thu
! French foreign offlce is that ther.
is an indissoluble tie between Grea
Britain and France. The Mediter.
ranean question, the question Of th'
French colonies in North Africa
concerns Britain as vitally as i
concerns France. Hence, not thl
slightest doubt that Britain canno
tolerate an Italian encroachment OF
French territory, especially in Tunis
But M. Bonnet, like the other super
visors of Frances foreign affairs
u,iehoc fhof fhiS c1oeo and 1ouo