The Press SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1963. Trends In Europe

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30206, 10 August 1963, Page 10

The Press SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1963. Trends In Europe

'France’s refusal to join the atomic test-ban treaty is a new element in European politics, which have been Showing some interesting trends since last January, •then France vetoed Brilain’s entry to the Common Jfarket. Western European Rations appeared at one time to be almost mesmerised by President de Gaulle. <Ko-one doubts the continued Strength of his appeal to the {french people, or his power to frustrate European and American hopes for economic and military co-opera-tion; but there are now fewer apprehensions about his power to lead Europe along courses of his devising, notably his “ third “ force ” concept. President de Gaulle’s failure to bring ■Western Germany into a European condominium was significant. The enthusiastic reception President de Gaulle received in Germany last September caused many to think that President de Gaulle's design for Europe "was taking firm shape. But in June this year the German crowds shouted just as loudly for President Kennedy. Germans were especially receptive to President Kennedy’s refusal to “ play down ” the Atlantic partnership, as some thought he might in the face of Gaullist opposition, and to the evidence he gave of the continued determination of the United States to stand by Germany. President de Gaulle’s visit to Germany in July was not the spectacular success of the September visit; but it appeared that the new team due to take over in Western Germany before the end of the year had not quite Dr. Adenauer’s enthusiasm for the aspirant leader of Western Europe. * Indeed, the key to the political situation in Europe now appears to be Western Germany rather than France, especially in resolving the differences over a common agricultural policy, which is the main stumb-ling-block to the expansion of the Common Market and to wider trade arrangements with the United States. One observer has summarised recent developments: President de Gaulle vetoed Britain’s Common Market application because he did

not want the United States to have a “Trojan horse” in Europe; but the French have come to realise there is already a “ Trojan horse ” firmly established in Europe —none other than the President’s chosen partner. Western Germany. The consensus is that for the time being, at least, President de Gaulle has lost the initiative in Europe and is now forced to wait upon events that he may turn to his advantage. His forthcoming visit to Russia may give him new opportunities to stand as the champion of European rights; but will President de Gaulle’s intransigence over the test-ban treaty square with a professed championship of peoples and governments who have hailed the treaty as a step towards the much-desired assurance of permanent peace? If France has not stood very well in European opinion this year, neither has Britain. France’s spuming of Britain’s Common Market application, against the unanimous wish of France’s Common Market partners, has left a substantial fund of sympathy on the Continent for Britain. But sympathy is no substitute for the respect which Britain once held as a leader in influencing European affairs. A prevailing impression is that Britain has lost the power of initiative in Europe largely because it has not tried to recapture it since the Common Market failure. The recent scandals and the general weakness of the present British Government have not helped. Yet the possible advent of a Labour Government is not viewed with enthusiasm; Labour’s public statements over the last few years have left too much room for doubt about a British Labour Government’s policies on vital European issues. At present, the gainer from a lessening of British and French influence seems unquestionably Western Germany, which, judged by the emphasis on words like “ responsibility ” and “ self- “ discipline ” in recent speeches of the German Foreign Minister, seems to be preparing itself for a major diplomatic role in Europe.