Evening star., 1951-02-01
France and the Free World

One of the big objectives of Soviet policy is
to drive wedge between France and the United
States in order to undermine the Atlantic Pact
and tear a hole in the common front being
built up by the free world in general To that
end the Kremlin has been busy turning out
propaganda and diplomatic notes full of yelled
threats that the French will be inviting war
upon themselves if they cooperate in such
American-led projects as the organization of
strong unified armed forces for the defense of
Western El&ope-a program envisioning, among
other things, limited measure of West German
rearmament.
If words mean anything, however, the Soviet
wedge drivers wasting their time. For Pre-
nier Rene Pleven, in the comunique marking the
end of his tWo-day conference with President
Truman, has joined the President in firmly and
bluntly declaring that mo menace or maneuver
will succeed in shaking the fundamental unity
which exists between the United States and
France" Moreover in his excellent address to
the National Press Club Mr.. Pleven has affirmed
the durability of that unity with special personal
emphasis AS he has put it, the French our
allies, not just our fair-weather friends and they
will not let anything-I say anything-weaken
the alliance that binds us together
Rejecting this fine spirit, the joint COM
munque, though couched in generalized Ian
guage makes clear that the French government
IL
the proposition that aggression must not be
rewarded or the menace of aggression appeased."
That is why Mr.. Pleven and Mr.. Truman, as
far as Asia is concerned, have been able to
nounce that France and the United States
concur in the view that the United Nations
must continue to resist the aggressor in Korea
while eXerting every effort at the same time to
promote an honorable settlement. And that is
why Mr.. Pleven has pledged Frances determi-
nation to continue doing it's utmost to stop the
Communists in Indo-Chna-an effort which
we are resolved to support with accelerated mill
tary aid.
AS for free Europe, Mr. Peven has reaf-
frmed that the French, with measures like the
Schuman Plan and the proposal for organizing
European army within the framework of the
Atlantic Pact, are anxious % to break down
trade barriers, (2) to promote closer economic
unity, 90 to encourage Gin every aspect Gn-
Guiding participation in the common defense)
the integratior of democratic Germany into
vigorous Western community, and a. to in
tensify Frances preparedness effort to maintain
the security of the West a whole. In turn,
since France cannot do all this without help,
Mr.. Truman has discussed with Mr. Pleven
measures of American aid and inter- allied action
for the effective sharing of vital materials.
Quite clearly, in spite of Soviet attempts to
stir up fear among the French and "neutraliZe"
them, France does not intend to be detached
from the free world On the contrary as the
key power of Western Europe, it has under
taken to play leading role in the common de-
fense against aggression. Thus, in addition to
continuing its fve-year struggle against the
Communists in Indo- CHINA war in which it
has engaged an army of 100000 and which has
already cost the lives of $4,000 of its best troops
and oficers-it is now in the process of organiz
ing 20 new fully trained and equipped regular
divisions. The plan is to have these land forces,