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THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 13, 1939.
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Mediterranean. But the recent
crisis over Czechoslovakia showed that Franco-British military soll- darity is a reality only in so far as the defence of French (and presumably Belgian) territory is concerned. It is not intended to operate anywhere else to main- tain a state of affairs which Frenchmen might consider vital to their security and national in- terests, but which Britain does
17, Garrick Street, 'London, W.C.2. not deem essential or justified.
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Furthermore-and this is per- haps the most important thing in view of Germany's demand for colonies-the Franco-British military alliance is restricted to France's metropolitan territory. That is, it does not apply, cording as far as can be judged to the prevalent British view, to any of France's colonial posses- sions overseas-and much less, of course, to any French man- dated territories.
ac-
ex-
One of the best French perts on British foreign policy wrote recently: "It is often said on this side of the Channel that
Hong Kong, Friday, January '13, 1939. the entente with France is now
THE ANGLO-FRENCH ENTENTE
a postulate of Britain's foreign policy. Such statements must not be taken at their face value. In the realm of international re- lations there are no postulates: particularly in English policy there are no postulates.
means
The only thing which has mar- red the warmth of the reception "If by 'postulate' one accorded Mr. Chamberlain and that Great Britain would support Lord Halifax in Rome the cup us in case of a direct attack of tea of which the Prime Minis against French territory, that is ter partook in Paris, giving rise correct, Britain could never per- to acid 'comment in the Italian mit the occupation of Flanders press-is doubly significant be- by enemy forces. But from there cause on the one hand it was a to concluding that Britain would confession of disquietingly am-fight to maintain France in the biguous Anglo-French relations rank of a great power, is an im- despite protestations to the con-mensa gap, a tragic gap. trary, and on the other, it cut in- "We must truly be on our to Italian visions of creating a guard. It is not enough just to cleavage.
think that Great Britain would Competent observers agree aid us in case of war. We might our entire that the Anglo-French Entente is perfectly well lose
Eng-
a vitally important factor for patrimony-bit by bit-without- peace in Europe, it can hardly a single shot being fired. be questioned that underlying land would not lift a hand to the entente is a large measure of prevent it.' real solidarity and genuine Co- This view is perhaps unduly operation between the two demo- pessimistic. It emphasises the cracies, not directed against any essential point, however, which other nation or bloc, but aimed is or suspected to be this: Brit- at reinforcing peace on the Euro-ain's attitude toward France, in pean continent.
any international crisis which in-
an
But it is also true that there volved French interests but did France's metro- are certain equivocal aspects of not threaten the present relationship between politan territory with military France and Britain. At the mo-attack-such as a German de- ment thèse ambiguities are being mand for African colonies or left conveniently in the shadow. Italian move against Tunis, for All who have sincerely at heart, instance-might very well resem- however, the ultimate good of ble France's own atitude toward Franco-British friendship, are Czechoslovakia last September. hoping that these troublesome In case of an actual attack, Brit- facts will be fully and frankly ain would help; but France examined and disposed of.
would be expected by London to The root of the matter is that make all possible concessions to while France continues to regard avert war. itself as a European power of Actually there is nothing tra- the first magnitude and a partner gic about such an interpretation of England on a basis of absolute of the Franco-British. entente equality. British statemen of on condition, however, that it be the day on the other hand are clearly understood in advance inclined to look upon France that the alliance rests on this since Munich especially as a basis. The real tragedy in the nation which for the past two Czechoslovakian affair was per- decades mistakenly attempted to haps not that Prague was in the assume diplomatic hegemony on end forced by its allies to make the continent, and which as an concessions to Germany to avoid- did not inevitable result of the collapse war; but that France
of its network of alliances in Cen-make it unmistakably clear to tral and Eastern Europe has now the Czechoslovakian Government dropped back to a position which from the first that this would be Britain considers naturally sec- her attitude. Knowing this, Pra-
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