FRANCE
                   Summary
 
1) Role in United Nations Councils
 
     American interests require that ever effort be made 
by this Government to assist France, morally as well as 
physically, to regain her strength and her influence, not 
only with a view toward increasing the French contribution 
to the war effort, but also with a view toward enabling the
French to assume larger responsibilities in connection with 
the maintenance of peace. It is likewise in the interest of 
this Government to treat France in all respects on the basis 
of her potential power and influence rather then on the basis 
of her present strength.
 
2) Zone of Occupation in Germany
 
       The President has already approved in principle five 
proposals forwarded by the French which are designed to place 
France on a footing of equality with the United States, United
Kingdom and the Soviet Union with regard to German affairs. 
It is not known what  zone the French will ultimately ask for, 
but they have expressed continued interest in Rhineland 
and there is every likelihood that they will favor the occupa-
tion of the Rhineland over so long a period that it may easily 
become permanent.
 
3) Control Machinery for Germany
 
       One of the French proposals approves by the President in 
principle is that the French will have an equal part in the
control machinery for Germany.
 
4) Attitude Toward Future German Economy
 
       Indications are that the French do not wish to see Ger-
many reduced to economic misery since they believe that this 
would inevitably breed trouble. They do, however, favor the 
elimination of all German war industries and near war industries.  
General de Gaulle is also known to favor international 
administrative and economic regime for the Ruhr.