Unity of Command in France Lord Gort's contemplated visit to
Paris, coupled with Mr. Hore-Belisha's recent conversations there with General Gamelin and others, show how close • at the moment is Franco-British military co-operation. The Secretary of State for War spoke of the French Comffiander-in-Chief when on a visit here in terms of unrestrained eulogy, and few would be surprised to learn that on the outbreak of war he would assume supreme command over the British as well as the French land forces in France. Such a development would in no way be regrettable, for quite apart from General Gamelin's high personal qualities, the experience of the last war showed how valuable it was for a French general to be detached for the co-ordination of strategy. A Supreme Commander, if he is of the stature of a Foch or a Gamelin, can ,take a relatively impartial view of Franco-British differences ; he can be fair to the British without forfeiting the confidence of his compatriots. As in 1918, the British Commander-in-Chief in France— presumably Sir Edinund Ironside—must retain responsi- bility for the security of the British forces there, while, in view of our manifold commitments in different parts of the Empire, the central control of the Army's war effort must be conducted by the General Staff in this country ; doubtless under the direction of Lord Gort if war should break out in the near future. * *
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