General de Gaulle's Criticism
General de Gaulle and his colleagues have undoubtedly an ex- tremely difficult task in restoring order in a country whose whole equilibrium is thrown out of gear by the destruction of factories, railways and ports, by the lack of young man-power, by the neces- sity of building with little material on the ruins of German war organisation, and by the priorities which the Allied Command gives to war needs. The General said what he was bound to say to the
people of France when he called on them on Saturday to unite, to work hard, and give all their energy to beating the enemy and re- building the homeland. But he does not help his cause when he uses words calculated to sow in the minds of Frenchmen feelings of profound distrust of their Allies. It is a strong and completely un- justifiable accusation to make against the Allies in a broadcast to his countrymen to say that each of them, while fighting the same enemies, is pursuing its own interests, framing its own policies, and neglecting France. France has certain legitimate grievances which she is justified in ventilating. Her Government is entitled to be officially recognised as the Provisional Government, but General de Gaulle knows that it is not the fault of Great Britain that full recognition has not yet been extended. It is a grievance that the lack of such recognition has so far deprived France of participation in important international Conferences, but General de Gaulle knows well that the British Government has never ceased to urge that France must hold a place among the major Powers. Opinion, official and unofficial, in this country is in favour of according a more promi- nent part not only to the France of the future, but to the present Government of General de Gaulle. It is likely that within a few days Paris and a large part of France will be declared an " interior zone" and that the Provisional -Government will then assume full control. Formal recognition will be the almost inevitable sequel.
