Evening star., 1940-03-24

invading Russians. The public, which
IN many instances has q far better in
stinct than the rulers, saw that chance
and was anxious to take advantage Of it.
Although the diplomatic Developments
such as Scandinavia suggestion early in
February to mobilize and help Finland
while the allies were bringing their
forces overLwere not known to the
general public. But 1t was felt In
stinctively in Great Britain and France
that something successful" could be
achieved out there
Yet Finland was allowed to be crushed.
And even the simple man in the street
in France and Great Britain realized
that Finland had not been defeated on
March 13. The grumblings started
afresh with great vigor. The defense
Of the British Premier by the controlled
press did not help much.
Daladier Disguised.
In France, former Premier Daladier
is reported to be utterly disgusted with
the whole situation. He was simple
and honest politician. He undertook to
fight the Germans and their allies and
meant to do it. He expected Britain's
cooperation not only in the shape Of
men at the front and making common
cause with France, but he expected this
ally to share risks with France whenever
the situation arose in which Germany
actually could be fought. He knows bet
ter than anybody else what chance
Britain missed when 1t refused to
agree with Gen. Gamelin's plan to trans
fer the theater of operation to Scandi-
navia.
In his own cabinet there were quite a
few who said, II told you So" Former
Foreign Minister Georges Bonnet is one
of them. Because he was the man who
in December, 1898, signed an agreement
with Won Ribbentrop which proved
futile, he was moved from the Quai
dOrsay, when war broke out, to the in
significant Ministry of Justice. Now Mr..
Bonnet tells his colleagues, II told you
so. I was right when I supported the
Munich policies because I felt that as
allies, neither of us, but especially the
British. were prepared to fight an offen-
sive war"
In the meantime, the French people
wonder how long they will have to dig
day for their army to play backgammon
behind the forts and easements of the
Maginot Line.
Daladier is reported in responsible quar-.
tiers here to have been inclined for some
weeks to hand over the seal of Office to
any of his colleagues who were willing to
tackle the present unpleasant situation.
Not that France is defeated or has lost
the hope Of winning this struggle, but it
appears to most thinking Frenchmen
that, If this sitdown war is allowed to
continue, Frances resources will melt.
Stalemate Spurs Peace Hopes.
1t is because of this stalemate that
responsible quarters in Washington feel
that truce to be followed by peace
might be possible at the present time.
The truce exists in fact now, since
there is no fighting on the western front
1t would not be necessary-it is believed
here-that formal truce should be ar
ranged. This idea is being advanced
in view of the French objections to hav-
ing anything done which might jeopar-
die the morale of the men at the 'front.'
But behind the scenes there can be
diplomatic pourparlers which. when they
reach a point of preparatory agree
ment, might be translated into a meet
ing-secret, if necessary-between the
leaders of four or five or even six ma
tions directly interested in ending the
present war.
The possibilities of such meeting will
appear clearer to Washington after Mr..
Welles has submitted his full report to
President Roosevelt. This report will
be final because the Undersecretary of
State has had very important talk with
II Duce, who, in turn, did not talk only
coal agreements with Herr Won Ribben-
trop. Without being too -sanguine as to
the prospects of peace in the very near
future, in many responsible quarters in
Washington it is believed that If Ger
many and Italy are really desirous Of
putting an end to the present tragedy
In Europe, there are fair chances Of
doing so.