Diversity of Worlds

"How the United States and France Look at their Joint Problems" is the subtitle of this joint report by two leading political writers, Mr. Heckscher from the U.S. and Mr. Aron from France, of the Arden House conference of French and American scholars held in New York last spring. An introduction by Arnold Welfare traces the history of French-U.S. relations from the enthusiastic brotherhood of the Revolutionary War to the more wary approach of the two countries towards each other now due to their different attitudes to colonialism and European unity. The points of contention M. Aron brings up are that the U.S. is generally more convinced of the need for defense in Europe because they take Russian talk more seriously that France, in NATO, faces a loss of control over her own forces and looks on German rearmament as a high price to pay for unity; and that is colonialism, the U.S. betrays itself by its of Negroes and Indians. Discussing American attitudes Mr. Heckscher calls attention to our disapproval of confusing French politics and the waste and abuse of talent in industry. But he also says that the realization of France's deep involvement in the Far East and North Africa will make the problems eventually soluble in these areas. Additional points brought up in final summary include M. Aron's observation that the French are basically in favor of national independence but that the problem is one of aiding Arab leaders without appealing to tyrants; and Mr. Heckscher's agreement that the task of Statesmen is to find common points of agreement. An important study for the times in its very practical emphasis and illumination of the points where two so traditionally linked nations both differ from and complement each other. (Kirkus Reviews)