ANGLO-FRENCH AFFAIRS
S1R,—May I express gratitude for the many admirable comments on Franco-British affairs which have been appearing in your columns. I think in particular of articles by Mr. Harold Nicolson, Miss Irene Ward, and the wise and brilliant observations on " The Anglo-French Crisis " by Professor Brogan in your issue of July t3th. But these and other warnings do not appear to produce the slightest effect. And now we read day by day that at Potsdam great decisions are being taken concerning the future of Germany, and the wider settlement of Europe is being prepared, not only by the three leaders, but by committees of Foreign Ministers and military and other experts—all this without any French participation.
France is excluded from decisions which are vital to her and to whose execution her help is vitally necessary. It seems incredible that any British Government should acquiesce willingly in such a state of affairs. But to acquiesce unwillingly is exactly the same thing. Was not this a case where it was both the right and the duty of our leaders to insist that France should be present? Must we conclude that they have, in practice, accepted the view that France, our friend, our Ally who stood side by side with us in 1939, has in consequence of her defeat been reduced to the ranks of those who must accept the decisions of the victors? And that this weighs on them so little that, if the Press reports are correct, our Ambassador in Paris is now home on leave? We shall bitterly regret this error one day. Is it too late to begin correcting it now?—Yours faithfully,
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