SUPREME COMMAND

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1939, Page 8

SUPREME COMMAND

IN THE EVENT OF WAR QUESTIONS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS STATEMENTS IN FRENCH PRESS. MR CHAMBERLAIN REFUSES INFORMATION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY. June 14. In the Ilonse. of Commons, Mr A. Henderson asked Mr Chamberlain if it was the Government’s policy to consent lo the appointment of a French general as supreme commander of the British ami French armed forces in the event of war. Mr Chamberlain replied that the co-ordination of the command of forces in various theatres in which his Majesty’s forces might be called upon to co-operate with the French in the event of war necessarily had formed part of the conversations between representatives of the two countries, but it would not be in the public interest to give information as to a particular aspect of these conversations. Mr Henderson then asked if the Premier was aware of the fact that the French Press stated that this policy had been determined and that Marshal Gamelin had been designated as supreme commander. Were they to understand that those statements wore correct? he asked. Mr Chamberlain rejoined: “The hon member must not take every statement he sees in the Press to be cor4, rect.” Mr Fletcher next asked if Mr Chamberlain could give an assurance that in the event of such an appointment it would be made in such a manner that the French Commander-in-Chief would be responsible to some interallied body, and not to France alone. Mr Chamberlain replied: “I do not think it would be in the public interest to discuss this matter.”