THE NEAR EAST: Brief Era

The French Empire shrank slightly last week. With Gallic grace, France agreed to step out of Syria and the Lebanon—and the Near East. Thus an imperial association which lasted for a generation came, at least temporarily, to a close.

Between the World Wars France kept the Levant States under troubled control, but seven months ago they revolted. Last week the Quai d'Orsay bowed to the inevitable. France and Britain simultaneously announced an agreement to quit Syria and the Lebanon together, on dates to be discussed this week. Thereafter, if forces are needed to establish security in Syria and the Lebanon, UNO will supply them.

Henceforth France will collaborate with Britain in all Near East matters. In return, Britain will presumably collaborate with France in the wider sphere of foreign policy, e.g., in a possible Franco-British alliance like the Franco-Russian alliance.