The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-17

United States and Great Britain
are distrustful of General deGaulle.
They are risking the good will OF
the French people, even in the role
of saviors of France. Unfavorable
political influences at home and
abroad are hindering plans, so
claims the current issue of News
week. The article is by Ernest K.
Lindley and is entitled why de-
Gaulle Is Not Trusted" 1t is as fol-
lows:
Lets examine the accusations of
the deGaullists and their supporters
in Britain and the United States:
l. That American policy toward
France is formulated by a pro-
Fascist clique in the State Depart
ment. This, of course, is absurd. 1T
is not formulated by any clique,
however it may be described, in the
State Department. Men down the
line have their influence and are
responsible for the detailed appH-
cation of the policy. Very likely
thev have made some mistakes. But
decision of this Importance is not
left to the determination OF sub
ordinates. American policy toward
France is the policy of the President
and Secretary Hull.
2. That American policy toward
France runs counter to British pol
icy or at most has been concurred
in reluctantly by the British Gov
eminent. At various times In the
past there have been differences.
But for some months the British
and American governments have
worked together in fundamental
agreement. Publication a few days
ago of the substance of a memor-
andum setting forth the views OF
Mr.. Churchill should set at rest all
doubt on this point. The British
have learned from their own eXper-
fence that de Gaulle is not trust
worthy ally.
3. That in checkreigning de
Gaulle, the United States and Brl-
tain are defying French opinion or,
at least, meddling in the political
affairs of France. The shortest and
most devastating answer came from
MI. Roosevelt last week: 95 per cent
of the French people are still under
the German heel.
De Gaulle and the men around
him have not been elected by the
French people. Unquestionably he
has great prestige among them.
Leaders of several of the French
popular parties are grouped around
him. He has been the outside con-
nection with the French under
ground, which is largely. although
not exclusively, Communist.
But de Gaulle owes his position
chiefly to the backing of the Brit
ish government during the two and
half years following the fall of
France. Britain financed him. Brit
ish propaganda built him up as
the center and symbol of French
resistance. In checkreigning de
Gaulle. the United States and Bril-
tain are interfering in the maneu-
vers of a group of French politi-
clans in North Africa. Many of
them are respectable and worthy
men. But they have not been chosen
by the French people.
4. That American British policy
will ALLEVIATE the French people. No
one knows what will be the state
of mind of the French people when
they are released from their pres
ent ordeal.
One must presume that French
men still possessed of their sanity
know that their liberation depends
chiefly upon American and British
arms. Once liberated, they may not
be grateful. They did not seem very
grateful to the Americans and Br1-
! fish after the last war.
But if the restraints placed on de
Gaulle ALLEVIATE the French, it will
be only because de Gaulle and the