Mr, Wilson Fails to Woo Mr. Smith

Not even the temptation of becoming part of the "Mother Country" could persuade Ian Smith to make any concessions to Mr, Wilson, His rejection of the working paper arrived at on HMS Tiger shows the complete bankruptcy of Wilson's pussyfooting policy, Not only has the Cabinet abandoned principle on this question: it has also failed to deliver the goods from a capitalist point of view, But there is no sign that there is to be a change in policy. On the contrary, as the Daily Express put it, Mr. Wilson is at pains to avoid any trouble with South Africa at all costs. Ambivalence about even the application of oil sanctions is apparent. The Government is saying, in effect: Never mind the rights of the overwhelming majority of Rhodesians - How can we save face without effecting our balance of payments? There is only one honorable course open: to rigidly apply all sanctions, to give arms and encouragement to the Governments of Zambia and Tanzania for the promotion of the national liberation struggle in Rhodesia, If these last 12 months of manoeuvring have proved anything, it is that the white settlers will not give up voluntarily. That there will have to be a mass struggle will not be to everyone's liking, but the issues cannot be avoided. Above all, the left should avoid any confusion about the role of British troops. Experience has shown that the most likely variant in the case of British troops going to Rhodesia is that they will be used to put down the African national liberation struggle. The left must begin to think now about forming a solidarity movement with the Rhodesian people, to swing into action as they take up the struggle against the white settlers and imperialism,