An Anglo-French Alliance ?
Nothing in international politics could be more welcome to this country than the recent revival of the idea of an Anglo-French alliance. And nothing could be more important than that the alliance, if it comes, should be firmly based and permanent. Both these facts can justifiably be read into Mr. Bevin's hyper-cautious statement in the Commons on Wednesday. The adjustment of the two will not be easy. On the one hand the British Government, by accepting M. Gouin's recent public speeches at rather more than their face value, may open negotiations at once on the understanding that all French claims to the separation of the Ruhr and Rhineland from the rest of Germany are dropped. But on the other hand it would be most difficult for any French Government to guarantee that such an arrangement would command widespread popular support in France. M. Gouin is working at great speed in a position which gives him little power of manoeuvre. The dissolution of the French Parliament must take place by April 19. In the meantime his own party, the Socialists, are pushing through a large instalment of nationalisation in the face of the growing restiveness of the centre M.RP., which includes M. Bidault, the Foreign Minister. Yet to stand any chance of forming another Govern- ment after the elections M. Gouin must retain the co-operation not only of M.R.P. but of the Communists as well. His hand contains three cards. The prospects of securing a new financial agreement with Great Britain have suddenly improved; nearly everybody in France is in favour of an alliance with Great Britain to complete the triangle which already includes a Franco-Soviet and an Anglo-Soviet treaty ; and the suggestion, which has British support, that the next meeting of the Foreign Ministries of the five main powers should take place in Paris, is very welcome indeed. But the ace of trumps—security of the Ruhr and Rhine—is still in the pack. Dare M. Gouin draw it out? And if he does will Mr. Bevin knock over the table?
