“Lisbon Illusions” Attacked By British Newspaper

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26671, 4 March 1952, Page 7

“Lisbon Illusions” Attacked By British Newspaper

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, March 3. Some plain speaking is rieetted by the Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) if the House of Commons is to get a clear and firm picture of the state of North Atlantic defence, says the “Economist,” in a leading article on “Lisbon Illusions.” The article declares that the statements made to the press at Lisbon were woolly. “It is right that a certain secrecy should surround N.A.T.O.'s diplomatic ahd military discusslOhs. But to counterbalance this secrecy by talking airily of 50 divisions this year and 100 In 1054, by giving the impression that the German defence contribution has been settled when it clearly has not, and by pretending that French and German difficulties oyer the European defence community are not so serious after all, Is a dishonest practice.

“It will not frighten the Russians but it may well lull the Europeans.”

“It is all verj’ well to build up the prestige of N.A.T.G. in American eyes, but if it is based on illusions there Will be bitter disappointment one day. “It is claimed that the relationship between the 12 members of the Atlantic Council and the six members of the defence community—all except the Western German members of N.A.T.O.—has been satisfactorily settled.

“This appears to mean'that Western Germany, whibh has reserved its right tc claim full membership of N.A.T.O. will be admitted to consultation with it, a compromise which is hardly likely to satisfy the Germans for long. It may mean, too. that pledges to mutual defence exchanged between the members of N.A.T.O. will also be exchanged between the community and N.A.T.0.. so giving Germans both obligations to the larger body, aqd guarantees from it. “Conflicting Conditions” “That is all well and good. What is alarming is the assumption, or pretence, that the treaty forming the defence community can be got past the French Assembly and the German Bundestag, both of which have laid down directly conflicting conditions for supporting - Mr Schuman and Dr. Adenauer. “Both Ministers are said to believe they can get a vote for ratification if they are not rushed. It is said, too, that they have obtained from Mr Eden undertakings to consider how the European defence community can be held together by some guarantee like that given in the LocarnO Treaty 27 vears ago. “The calculation appears to be that if a closer relationship between Britain and the community were possible, then many French objections to German claims and aspirations would fall away, so making easier Dr. Adenauer’s task before - the Bundestag. “If that is so the sooner British and American public opinion get to grips with the problem the better. “In simole terms it is this: Is the defence community to be built round a rearmed Germany so important to the future of Atlantic defence that British policy should do everything in its power to save it? And, if so. what if anything could the Americans do tb help? “It is only by seeking the answer to these questions and by realising that the Lisbon conference did not find it that the limits of what has been achieved there can be properly understood. A European Defence Treaty there will certainly be, probably within two months, but Until it is ratified, German recruitment cannot even begin.”