Evening star., 1945-02-08
French Press Seen
Repeating Old Error
De Gaulle Inspised Criticism of
u. S. Policy, Writer Says

LIE Jaulle lnsp1fed criticism OF
u. S. Policy, Writer Says
By David Laurence
Already the same manipulation OF the
Paris press which contributed to the
breakdown of the French democracy
before 1910 is In evidence.
No sooner had Harry Hopkins left
Paris than a concerted drive, unques-
tionably inspired by the De Gaulle gov,
eminent, was let loose in criticism Of
the United States.
II Gen. De .Gaulle thinks this is the
way to forge new Franco-American
understanding, he is grievously mis-
taken. The spectacle Of French officials
complaining through an inspired press
that Gen. De Gaulle was not invited to
the Big Three conference is no sur
prise to the many observers here who
have felt all along that to deal with the
temperamental and mercurial Gen. Do
Gaulle was likely to bring on consider
able friction in the long run and that
the reluctance of President Roosevelt to
deal with the general would eventually
be vindicated.
What is needed today is some plain
talking to the French people and their
leaders. The other day, Undersecretary
Grew of the State Department made
public long list OF items which the
United States had supplied to liberated
France and told Of the dif11culties Of
shipping and other barriers to increas-
ing the supply at this time, especially
while the military problem of defeating
Germany was so far from being solved.
U. S. Effort Not Understood.
But the French government in Paris,
resorting to the same old tactics of at
tacking friendly government by means
Of an inspired press apparently doesn't
understand the scope Of American effort
to help France or the necessity for deal->
ing with France for the time being on
q secondary rather than primary Dip
lomatic basis
It Is true that America will want to
see France member of the big four or
big five or whatever group shall super
wise the United Nations Council. That
pledge has been publicly given.
But the French leaders must realize
that in 1910 they failed to provide a
defense against the Germans. America
relied on France as the first line of
defense, and today millions of American
boys are in France to support a defense
line which the politicians in the French
| government failed to bolster.
Yf tho taA D~s&
Russia do not Immediately accept the
head of a provisional government as
full-fedged military partner, it is be-
cause efficiency in military management
and planning requires that the staffs
of Britain, Russia and the United States
alone be consulted at the moment, as
these nations are in joint command Of
the overall operations. Military men
here say that the fewer who are en-
trusted with the secrets of war planning
the better it will be for security reasons.
As for dividing up the territories Of
Europe, there win be ample time for
France to be consulted. The present con-
ferences of the Big Three are not
being held to fix boundaries, as mis-
taken French observers believe, but
merely to agree on an immediate pro-
oedure for solving those territorial ques-
tons by joint rather than unilateral
action.
Assurances Given.
France has been assured that she will
be consulted whenever any question
directly or indirectly touching her in
terests comes up. But this is not the
time for such consultations. There viii
be international conferences soon in
which France will participate.
It seems strange that the government
at Paris, having been told all this, still
feels justified in attacking the United
States through the French press. Only
last Sunday Paris commentator for an
American radio network spoke of the
increasing bitterness toward the United
States which was growing up in France.
This bitterness can have been brought
about only by the De Gaulle govern
ment's stupid tactics. 1t should be borne
In mind by the De Gaulle government
that there is such thing as isolationist
sentiment in the United States, and
there is no quicker way to increase II
than for ungrateful French politician,
to begin attacking the United States
just few months after American
armies have liberated the territory of
France with sacrifices that have run a
high as IS 900 casualties q week. When
the French have raised and trained an
army Of 1000, 900 men and can take over
the military job in which the United
States is now engaged, there will be
| more and more inclination to pass on
to the government at Paris some Of the
major responsibilities now being as
sumed by Britain and the United States.
Reproduction Rishts Reserved)
Toxed to Death
From the Quebec LEvenement-Journal.
The committee Of inquiry into building
recommends building code which will
serve as base for the municipalities Of
the country, and the federal authorities
hold to the same opinion Building