Misgivings

The Big Three had conspicuously overlooked the Big Fourth. Wherever and whenever they met again, it was clear that France would not be invited. Promptly the French broke out into a rash of "misgivings." Reported New York Timesman Harold Callender from Paris:

"There are indications that the French are disturbed by reports that Russia might try to establish a German Government under Field Marshal General Friedrich von Paulus (see INTERNATIONAL) and also seek French recognition of the Lublin regime in Poland which General Charles de Gaulle refused to recognize when he was in Moscow.

"On the other hand, the French take emphatic exception to the reported plan of Prime Minister Churchill to place the Rhineland under the control of Britain, the United States, France and Russia. The French contention ... is that the vital industries of the Rhineland should be under 'predominantly' French control. . . .

"The sharp differences between France and Britain over Syria and Lebanon are emphasized ... in a review of foreign affairs that Foreign Minister Georges Bidault made to the Cabinet. He discussed the demonstrations against the French in those countries which were said here to represent a demand for local control of the armed forces under French command. Mr. Bidault emphatically said that France intends to defend her rights firmly in Syria and Lebanon, and contends that there would be no problem' there, if the British did not interfere. . . ."

Syria and its national liberation movement was much on the French mind last week. For under the ambitious leadership of shrewd President Shukri Bey Kuwatly, the Syrian parliament had voted funds and conscription for a Syrian national army. One fruit of General de Gaulle's visit to Moscow was believed to have been a Russian guarantee of France's colonial empire. Syria's military stirrings gave France a queasy feeling under her colonial belt; they might endanger the whole French position in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, France voluntarily withdrew from the Italian island of Elba, which her North African troops occupied last May. It was to Elba that Napoleon was first exiled. From Elba he dashed back to restore Europe to its traditional turmoil during the Hundred Days. As A.M.G. authorities (British and U.S.) took over the rocky little island last week, the French might well ponder upon the famed palindrome attributed to Napoleon. Read backward or forward, it led to the same historic conclusion: "Able was I ere I saw Elba."

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