COMMENT IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28866, 10 April 1959, Page 11

COMMENT IN BRITAIN

“Unfortunate” Speech (Rec. 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 9. The “Daily Mail” said today that it was “unfortunate” that Dr. Adenauer should have “raked up once again the grievance that the British are still a little cool towards the Germans, which only illustrates that peculiar German insensitiveness to the feelings and outlook of others.” The “News Chronicle.” saying it was now • clear that the change from Chancellor to President was not intended to involve a transfer of power, commented: “For the sake of Germany and of the world, it must be hoped that the Federal politicians who are trying to make sure that the next President is kept in his proper constitutional place will succeed.” The “Daily Telegraph” said it was hardly the moment “to castigate a press campaign for which his own Foreign Minister was largely responsible, and to implv that some consniracy existed ta Britain to embitter its feelings towards the Federal Republic. “Much of the criticism heard in London is due as much to jealousy of successful capitalism as to harddying suspicions of German intentions and hones.” the paper said.

The East German news agency ADN said that Dr. Adenauer’s speech was “a clear affront” to the British Prime Minister and had *hurt the feelings of the British people.” Dr. Adenauer, it said, had asked the British Government and people “to stop criticising the Bonn policy.” Leading West German papers said Dr. Adenauer would remain a strong influence in West German politics when he became president. A Christian Democrat leader, who was a member of the committee which nominated Dr. Adenauer, told the press that he believed privately that Dr. Adenauer wanted the presidency to ensure that he would be in some influential federal office for the rest of his life.

The “Frankfurter. Rundschau” said: “Whoever knows Dr. Adenauer knows that in whatever position he is. he will not give up holding the reins of policy in his hands.” The chairman of the opposition Social Democratic Party (Mr Erich Ollenhauer) said that one of the main reasons for Dr. Adenauer’s decision was knowledge of the failure of his policies. He added: “It will be possible to handle affairs in a more liberal and flexible manner.”