THE FRENCH OUTLOOK.

Chronicle (Levin), 13 May 1948, Page 5

THE FRENCH OUTLOOK.

Received Wednesdav, 7 p.m, LONDON, May 12. The Times' Paris correspondent savs that underlying the official French satisfaction with the exchange of Notes is a good deal of scepticism about the chances of a successfnl oufcome. The French Government was not kept informed of Ihe American move and it is lielieved that General Smith, who arrived in Paris last night, was on his way to acquaint the Western European nations with what was afoot when the Rnssian "Governmant decided to forestall him, partly in the hope of creating bewilderment. dismav or resentment in some Western European eapitals. and partly with the intention of sipnifvimr that the Soviet Government wants no third partv interfereime in its talks vrith the United States. The correspondent points out that it has lonv been a French nssnmption that a settle ment micht one dav be reached th rough direct Rnsso- American ueeotiations over the heads, if not behind the baeks and at the expensp of their former AlUe^ and enemies and thi.s. he savs, explain= ihe frertnent reblctance of the French dm'ing the past two or three vears. tn commit themselves too far fo one side.