10 NOVEMBER 1944, Page 1

4 Mr.

hurchill's Visit to Paris

Most welcome news was issued last Friday in the announcement that M . Churchill had accepted an invitation to visit Paris in the near fu re, with Mr. Eden, as the guest of the French Provisional

overnment. The visit will mark this country's sense of the great event that has happened in recent months—the restoration to France of her own sovereignty, carrying with it the power to take part in world affairs, and an opportunity for France and Britain to cement their old friendship on a basis stronger than it has ever been. There is no doubt about the personal feeling of Frenchmen for Mr. Churchill both as a man and as a symbol of British and Allied resistance to the enemy. There should be little doubt also among Frenchmen about the desire of this country to see France, who must always be our closest Ally, restored to a strong position among the Powers. General de Gaulle's Government is unques- tionably in the position of enjoying the confidence of the country ; the transition period, in spite of all its difficulties, has been handled with moderation and good sense, and the opening of thc Con- sultative Assembly at the Luxembourg Palace has given promise of responsible procedure on democratic lines. The aged Senator Cuttoli appeared to voice the sentiment of the Assembly when he spoke of the need for strengthening Anglo-French bonds. This end will be served by the visit of Mr. Churchill, who should be able to remove misunderstandings caused by delays in providing arms and other materials so urgently needed, and to. discuss the part that France should take in regard to European reconstruction.