Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1947 FRANCE WATCHES GERMANY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 3, 10 March 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1947 FRANCE WATCHES GERMANY

FOLLOWING the Anglo-French Treaty a statement by the French Foreign Minister, quoted in a cable message from Paris, raised issues of great importance in European politics. Mr Bidault declared that the first requirement of French foreign policy is a guarantee against German aggression. “Germany,” he said, “is number one problem in French history, in the past, present and future. We cannot -go on sacrificing the finest men of each generation.” That statement could be described as a paraphrase of the impassioned apueal made to Woodrow Wilson and Lloyd George by Clemenceau at the peace conference in 1919. The British and American leaders were convinced that a tripartite treaty of guarantee contained the best promise of security; but they failed to convince their peoples, and the proposed treaty was never ratified. Most historians believe that that was the

first and most fatal blunder in the long series of false moves which led to the catastrophe of 1939. It is tempting, therefore, to believe that Mr Bidault has spoken again with the voice of history. But is the situation quite what it was in 1919? Is it not true that, instead of the European balance of power which continues to alarm Frenchmen, there is now a world balance which Germany can affect only if she becomes the ally or satellite of one of the two major groups of nations? It may be, however, that the French are relating their historic problem to new conditions, that they see Germany as the possible spearhead of a coalition organised against the west, and therefore as dangerous to France as if she could become an independent enemy. Dr. Eduard Benes, President of Czechoslovakia, said a few days ago that Germany “will again be dangerous in five to 10 years.” If that prediction is fulfilled, it will be because a German recovery is not checked by Russia, who alone of the Continental nations, has the strength to restrain her. Dr. Benes, however, was using the argument to justify the creation of a Slav bloc, which he said “would not menace the western world.” If his premises are sound, they can be used with equal weight to support the idea of a western bloc, to which Russia and her satellites have been steadily opposed. Mr Bidault did not ask for a western bloc; but he called for an under-

standing with “our old friend” Britain—which must inevitably be the foundation of any larger grouping in the west. A further significant point in his speech was his reference to the Ruhr. France has been consistent in her demand for an international regime in this debatable area. British reactions have so far been unfavourable, mainly because economists believe that German recovery, which they see as an indispensable factor in the reconstruction of Europe, will, be impossible if the country is dismembered. Russia is also opposed to an international control of the Ruhr, though for different reasons. For months past, Communist spokesmen (who obviously interpret Soviet policy) have emphasised the need for a unified Germany. Russia’s attitude is based partly on the view that if the Ruhr were separated from Germany it could become the nucleus of an economic bloc in western Europe which might include the industrial areas of Belgium and Luxemburg. Thus, while France sees the Ruhr and the Rhineland as “the jumping-off place for invasion,” Russia sees it as an industrial and strategic zone which would be less dangerous as an integral part of Germany (especially, perhaps, of a Germany under Soviet influence) than as a forward position in the defences of the west. The French are not, as they sometimes appear to be, living in the past. Germany is still their number one enemy, though the danger to France may no longer be found in her isolated aggressiveness. It is the future role of Germany, in a continent dominated by Russia, which is engaging the attention of statesmen who can never forget the shadow of Clemenceau, pointing across the Rhine.

Scout Rally Officers For the secretarial and managerial side of the Opotiki Scout Rally last Saturday, the Scouting Association is indebted largely to Mr W. Payne, the general secretary, Mr R. Stewart, chairman of the committee and Scoutmaster L. Jones general organiser and his A.S.M. W. Newall all of Opotiki.

Red Cross Meeting Members are reminded that the first meeting of the year will be held in the Red Cross Rooms tomorrow Tuesday. As there is a large accumulation of made up garments for overseas relief the committee will be grateful if ladies will assist in sorting this.