1949-02-26 — Page 6

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THE CHINA MAIL, saturday, febRUARY 20, 1040.

WINSTON CHURCHILL'S WAR MEMOIRS: THE SECOND BOOK

IN

THEIR FINEST HOUR

Our Plight Took Second Place

these days the War Cabinet were in a state of 24354 unusual emotion. The fall and the fate of France do- Reporters & General Omen 32312minated their minds. Our

(four lines) Subscription Rates:

H.K.$18.00 11..$30.00

3 months

6 months One year..... HK$72.00

MR. & MRS. F. C. CLEMO nesd LAUREEN

P.P.C.

M/V. "RUYS."

DEATH

MIHALEFF-Suddenly at his re-

sidence on February 25, 1949,

Michael

Mihaleff aged 42 years. Funeral nt the Colonial

Cemetery on Saturday Feb.

26, 1949, nt 3 p.m.

bolster

own plight, and what we should have to face and, face alone, seemed to take a second place. Grief for our Ally in her agony, and desire to do anything in human power to aid here, was the prevailing mood. There was also the overpowering importance of making sure of the French Fleet. It was in this spirit that a proposal for "an in- dissoluble union". between France and Britain was con- ceived.

I was not the prime mover. first heard of a definite plan at a loncheon at the Carlton Club on June 10, which were present [the Lord Halifax. M. Corbin French Ambassador), Sir Robert Vanniltart, and one or two others

er it was evident that there had been considerable discussion before. hand. On the 14th Vansiltart and Desmond Morton [Mr. Churchill's personal assistant] had met M. Monnet and M. Pleven and been joined by General de Gaullo, whe had flown over to make arrange themonts for shipping to carry the French Government and as many French troops AN possible to

gentlemen Africa. There evolved the outline of a declaration for a Franco-British Union withi

CURRENCY REFORM

Attempts to Nationalist economy in China become more and more like the patching of a fabric which Is already so rotten that even the stitches will not hold.

Latest phase of the sorry

is story yesterday's nouncement authorising free market in gold and silver, budgetary reforms and A revised tax system. It is extremely unlikely that the

an-

а

budget can be materially re- duced while the war lasts, and the tax levies and col- lections are such as

only China can know. Just what' amount of breathing space is expected from the free-move- ment of gold and silver would be difficult to estimate. What are the precious metals to be Not hard exchanged for? currency-at least legally- and their being pitted against the crumbling gold yuan can only mean increas- ed inflation. As a barter method, the new move may have a brief temporary value, but very brief.

When the gold yuan was introduced, it was said to be backed by 60 per cent in for- eign exchange and 40- per cent in government assets, but within a month or two it met the same fate as the former CNS, partly because

Firmy

had

By Winston. Churchill

16 June, 1940, 12,35 p.m

Both General de Gaulle and M. Our agreement forbidding separate Corbin had been concerned at the negotiations, whether for armla sharpness of the decision reached tlee or peace, was made with by the War Cabinet that morning. the telegrams the French Republle, and not and embodied in

I had heard French aready dispatchedi with any particular administration or statesman. It that a new declaration had been therefore involves the honour drafted for consideration, and that of France. Nevertheless, PRO- General de Gaulle had telephoned VIDED, BUT ONLY PROVID to Mensleur Revhaud. As a result ED THAT THE FRENCH It had seemed advisable to suspend A tele- FLEET IS SAILED FORTH- action for the moment. WITH FOR BRITISH HAR- gramjad therefore been sent to BOURS PENDING NEGOTIA- Sir ftonald Campbell Instructing TIONS, His Majesty's Govern him to suspent delivary accortl ment give

con- thely. their full sent to an inquiry by the French The Foreign Becretary then said Government 14

10 ascertain the that after our morning meeting he terms

an armistice

for had seen Sir Robert Vansittar!, France. His Majesty's Gov whom he had previously asked to ernment, being resolved to con- draft some drathatic announce- Unue the war, wholly exclude mont which might strengthen M. themselves from all part in the Reynaud's hand. Vanslitort had above-mentioned inquiry con- been in consultation with General cerning an armistice.

of

Early in the afternoon a second message in similar terms was sent by the Foreign Offee to Sie Ronald Campbell (June 10, 3.10 p.m.). Both messages were stif, and esh bodied the main purpose of the war Cabinet at their morning meeting.

Separate Peace Forelyn Office to Sir R. Campbell. You should inform M. Reynaud as

Tollows:

We expect to be consulted as soon as any armistice terms are re- ceived. This is necessary not merely in virtue of Treaty for.

Le Intport Dieppe

St. Valtry

"ithum Neuthone!

9th Junc

Le Havre

Allied Line

on Sth. June HID- Gerstar advance

Bef

6th

7th, 200

10th, 11

lith, AJA

鱽

Louviers?

Seine

30 Mar

the object, apart from its general merits, of giving M. Reynaud sume new fact of a vivid and stimulat ing nature with which to carry a majority of his Cabinet into the move to Africa, and the continu- ance of the war.

My first reaction was unfavour- able. I asked a number of ques- tions of a critical character, and How- was by no means convinced.

Abbeville

Amiens

June the Forges

•

9th Jun

9th June

Monididier

Beauvais

Clermont

to

You should impress on

de Garile, BI. Brannet, M. Pleven, and Major Morion. Between them they had drafted a proclamation. General de

Gavile

ulle had impressed!

upon them the need for publishing the document as quickly as sible, and wished. to take the draft back with h

Franc to

France and Great Britain sheil

Good Morning!

•

no

Judgment was given yesterday in the Woo caso. Nocking teen agers have been disappointed.

"Plos of Autratola Acquit Ré. fused." Ignorance

may be

refused it по longer be two nations, but excuse, but I'd have one Franco-British Union.

"Private car on the road in The coitstitution or the Union will myself.

provide for joint organs of de-

a contemporary. reports fence, foreign, finsticial and

V.K. econointa polletes.

And here was I thinking Abey Every citizen of France will enjoy were all for export:

immediately citizenship of Great

be getting good, British subject Britain; every will become a citizen of France. nowing her subscription yesterday, Both countries, will share responal a lady commented, "I personally

We must

Ro

bility for the repair of the de-enjoy our papor as much as my wantation of war, wherever it husby *d." oceprs, in their terriigries, and

the resources" of "both" equally, and as one, applied to that purpose.

wald adder striker

The opium laden breezen Still blow from Hong Ko

tylo,

Whare, overybody squeezes And It seems worth whila...

New Armies During the war there shall be a single War Cabinet, and all the forces of Britain and France, whether on land, tea or in the

The King's return will be a air, will be placed under its

It will guvern from major Issue in the Belgian eles, direction. wherever I best can. The two tions. Will there be a decision for Parliaments will be formally Lea polled? associated. The Nations of the British Empire

Ships are being exported from are already forming new armies. Japan in great numbers. For the |

will keep her available moment, empty of warriors, forces

in the field, on the nda,

has him the old fox stiil 50 and in the air. The Union p pon-

United States to Fonghua in the political pic peals to the that fortify the economie resources

"Operation Faux Pas" by Amer-, bring her the Ailles and to Aug-

ican intelligence in Japan will now the mid to powerful material

be referred to as the -Smeurdley сонитор спика.

Cant. The Union will

whole energy against the power! of the enemy, to matter where the haltle may be. And thus we shall conquer.

night. De Gaulle had als Kisted that I should go to meet M. Reynaud next day.

The draft statement was passed round, and everyone read it with dtep attention. All the difficulties were immediately apparent, but in the end a Declaration of Union seemed to command general as

concentrate ite

But the

Of all this Parilament was in- formed in due course. laste by then had ceased to count. I did not, as has been avon, draft the statement myself. It was com

the table, and 1 posed around

then

made my contribution to it. took it into the next room whers! de Gaulle was waiting with Van- slitart. Desmond Barton and

ars. The General read it with

Spears.

on air of unwonted enthusiasm,

and as soon as contact

with

Bor

Noyer

olaon

regard not

opinion favourable to it.

Abou

deaux could be obtained, began to telephone it to M. Reynaud.

musi how pass to the other

end of the wire. The British An- bassador delivered the two menu-

In answer the French

to ages quest to be released from their obligation of March 28. According ume to his account, M. Reynaud, who mood, cld not take thent well: He at once re- marked that the withdrawal of the French Mediterranean Flest to British ports would invite the immediate seizure of Tunis by Italy, and also create dificulties! for the British Flest

Full Force

was in a dejected

He had got no further than this when my message, telephoned by

French going moment M. Mandel and M. Marin.

Favourable Answer

·

·

"Waiter," and a diner who hail just samplet his dinner, "these

veal chops don't seem very tender to me,"

"Sir." replied the waiter, "I can assure you that less than a month ago those chaps

chasing after a cow."

were

"Maybe," grunted the customer, "but not for milk."

If the French Council of Minis llo believed that armed with filters were raillet by it, the greater immense guarantee, he would be would carry the less, and the re- to carry his Council with him moval of the Flect from German on the policy of retiring to Africa power would follow automatically, If our offer did not find faveur, and waging war.

able to

THE GERMAN ADVANCE 5–9;June

sent. I stated that my first in- bidding separate peace or armis- tice, but also in view of vital stinct had been against the idea, Goneral de Gaulle, came through. "Then he calls me a big apa. we must "It acted," said the Ambassador, and says in, future 1 must have

P a tonic." consequentes of any armistice to but that in this crisis

sard tald that

permir to pick groundnute autselver,

let ourselves be accutard of like having

for a document 1. that he would especially the fact that lack of imagination. Sömu dramu- jaht 10 the last. In came that it would be better to give British troops are fighting with tie announcement was clearly ne- French Army,

cessary to keep the French The proposals could not be lightly They obviously were equally re- the Declaration of Union" its

conditions. Government that in stipulating turned aside, and I was encouraged Based. M. Reynaud then left with full chance under the moat faveur-.

a light step" read the document able

to for removal of French Fleet to at finding so gróat a body of

the Republie, of Cabinet to the President In the War British ports we have in mind French interests as well as our own, and are convined that it will strengthen the hands of the

Ai 3.55 pm, we were told that in French Government any armistice discussions if they can the French, Council of Ministers

My telegram Instructing the our rights and claims would rat We count show that the French, Navy is would meat at & p.m. to decide out of reach of the German whether further resistance, wax Ambassador to delay the presenta vive in their full force, Inside forces. As regards the French possible. Secondly, General de tiun of the two stiff messages or not tell what was going on Air Force, we assume that every Gaulle had been informed by Manyhow to suspend action upon the French Government, nor know effort will be made to fly it to Reynaud on the telephone that it them arrived immediately after that this was the last time wo North Africa, unler indeed the a favourable answer on the pro- the Premier had gone. A mesian should ever be able to deal with French Government would pre-posed proclamation of unity was ger was therefore sent after him M. Reynaud,

received by 5 p.m. M. Reynaud say that the two catller mess production, oven partially in any World Copyright reserved. Re-l fer to send it to this Govern- fall he could hold the position. On ages should be considered, a language, strictly prohibited. We count on the French

both this the War Cabinet approved the "cancelled." "Suspended" would elusive rights in Hong Kong ment doing all they can before and during any armistice final draft proclamation of an have been a better word, The War

by China Mail”. When the War Cabinot mot the

Anglo-French Union, and aut Cabinet had not aftored its position discussions to extricate the

its dispatch to next morning, we first addressed

M. Reynaud

1 any respect; Wo felt, however; Polish, Belgian and Czech troops horised ourselves to the answer to be given

at present in France, and to by th

the hand of General de Gaulle.

telephoned 19. M. Reynaud's request sent the

M, Rey to to North Africa. This was send them night before for the formal release

naud forthwith. War Cabinet Arrangements are being bado la

mo. Mr. Attice

and of France from her obligations:

receive Polish and Belgian Gov. further invited me, under the Anglo-French Agree.

craments

Str Archibald Sinclair, represent- this country. in ment The Cabinet authorised the followine reply which at their ro-

We reassembled at

at 3 p.m. that ing the three British parties, to same afternoon.

I recalled to the most M. Tegnated at the cdffies! quest I went into the next room Cabinet that at the conclusion of moment to discuss the draft pro- and drafted myself." It was dia Our meeting the day before there clamation and related questions. patched from London at 1935 pr.

f Un the 18th. It endorsed and re-had been some discussion telephoned instructions peated in a formal manner the proposal for the Issue

further declaration of closer union sunt to between France and Great Britain, Compbell (the British Ambassa had seen General de Gaulle, ih dor] early in the morning.

the morning, and he had impressed Forelt Office to Sir R. Campbell

on me that some dramatic move Please give M. Reynaud the fol- was essential to give M., Reynaud Towing message which has been the support which he needed to

approved by the Cabinet:

keep his Government in the war, 'Mr. Churchill to M. Reynaud.

and suggested that a proclamation of the indissoluble union of the French and British peoples would sorvo, the portidão.

Formal Manner

of military reverses and part-avor, at the end of our long Cabinet that afternoon, the sub- ly because the backing was much more imaginary than ject was raised. I was somewhat surprised to see the staid, atolld, real. The issue of the cus experienced politicians of ali toms yuan is another attempt Parties engage themselver so pas- to slow down the inevitable sionately in an mmense desigh and cong process of inflation, but it is whose impilcations

quences were not in any way doubtful whether it will have

thought out. I did not resist, but any, more soild basis than yielded easily to these generous the gold yuan. Public con-

urges which carried our resolves fidence, understandably, has to a very high level of unselfish

ang undaunted action. been utterly shaken in any economic measures the gov

Some ernment can bring. realistic Western financial experts have said privately that from a purely utilitarian point of view, enforcedly ignoring the mass of wage earners who always suffer during inflation, there is little reason why the Chinese cur rency should not be allowed to go to astronomical figures. That Is, providing the price of basic commodities does not increase materially in relation, say, to the U.S.

dollar.

This, of course, is unortho dox and can obviously be called brutal-but in view of inescapable facts, it would be interesting to know just what alternative there is to offer.

I

France, and just watch the change. Tho Red leader? boasted in Paris that if the To Each His Own Soviet Army came to his Leading Communists who country, the workers would "DO YOU are sure of their position are, not fight against it, but like Hitler in his early days, would welcome its hordes ap

KNOW blatantly frank about their liberators. They would also, desire for world domination. he added, do everything to In countries where the Partyrender war against the Soviet id weak, the accusation Union, not just difficult, but thrown at the faithful that impossible. A clear pledge they are Communists, first of sabotage,

YOUR HONG

and Englishmen (or Ameri: It is dimcult for an ordin KONG? cans or Norwegians) second,arfly-balanced person to un has always been indignantly derstand this viewpoint,; buf repudiated. While still at it in as well for most of us

the bottom of the power-perhaps particularly in contino ladder, they are always ultra-Hong Kong to realise that this plature patriotic to the country of it is held by the majority of taken! their origin or domicile. confirmed Communists. To war la But let them gain.sway of them, it is "my country right | stig

third of nation, as or wrong" and that country, Maurice Thorez has inis Russia.

Daveni

a on

some

2

Kingdom

Here is the final draft:

DECLARATION OF

UNION At this most fateful moment in

the history of

the the

modern world, the Governments of the United and the French Ite public make this déclaration of indissoluble union and unyield- ing resolution in their common dafence of Justice and freedom. against subitcilon to a system which reduces mankind to a lite of vulsota and Naves. 130 two Governments declare that

(To Be Continued)

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