SETTLEMENT IN GERMANY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26529, 18 September 1951, Page 7

SETTLEMENT IN GERMANY

Press Comment In Britain

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, September 17. The “Manchester Guardian" in a leading article to-day, urged the West German Chancellor (Dr. Konrad Adenauer) to explore the offer of the East German Prime Minister (Mr Otto Grotewohl) for “general free, secret, and equal elections” in all Germany. The newspaper said that the complications involved in the offer were innumerable.

lhe present plans for rearming West Germany and both the Pleven and senuman plans would undoubtedly go by the board.

~ Manchester Guardian” said that Mr Grotewohl’s offer implied a Treaty in Germany and the withdrawal of the occupation troops, and asked “would the Powers be willto nia^e the concessions required?” The newspaper continued that a settlement in Germany would be a settlement in Europe, and that the urgent menace which was forcing the Wests hasty rearmament would be relieved.

“Dr. Adenauer should not, therefore, reject the offer out of hand. It is worth exploring, even if it should be just another Russian peace manoeuvre.” the newspaper said. The "Daily Mail,” commenting on the general issue of West Germany’s participation in the Western defence system, said that comradeship with Germans may be a regrettable necessity but may also prove to be more fruitful than a peace based on vengeance. “In any case it has been forced upon us by the Russian menace. To some people the means adopted by Western statesmen may seem dubious, but we believe that they will be justified by the end.

The “Daily Worker” claimed that to rearm Germany was to gamble with war. “The only way to peace is in Mr proposal for all German elections and a united and democratic German Government which renounces rearmament and is pledged to peace.

“The moment for supreme action has arrived.” the "Daily Worker” commented.