LIMITED BACKING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22197, 6 December 1946, Page 5

LIMITED BACKING

FUSION __SCHEME WEST GERMAN ZONES BRITISH PRESS SCEPTICAL (Special Correspondent.) LONDON, Dec. 4. The British press gives the announcement of the fusion of the British and American zones in Germany only qualified approval. The majority, while welcoming the proposals as the first definite step towards checking the present deterioration, express doubts whether the devastation of the war years can be repaired sufficiently in three years to guarantee Britain and America some return upon the speculative investment they are now compelled to make. Doubts are also generally expressed as to whether the sum of £250.000,000, which it is proposed to allocate, will prove sufficient. The Glasgow Herald says that the three years for recuperation may be sufficient, or more than sufficient, for the rural areas, but three years is far too short for the reconstruction of such cities as Cologne, Hanover, Duisberg and Cassel.

Till the factories are restored at least to productive capacity, it is difficult to see how the combined zone can become self-supporting. It is probable that the suggested financial assistance may have to be supplemented but in the" meantime, the important thing is that a forward move has been made. First Aid Rather Than Cure The Manchester Guardian says that as the New York plans have been forced to leave out Russia and France they take on the appearance of first aid rather than a cure. Most of the concrete points in the agreement merely remove some of the more ludicrous obstacles which have so far made nonsense in advance of any attempt to handle Germany rationally. “The agreement does not end Britain’s troubles in Germany but at least it means we can begin to tackle them seriously,” says the Guardian. “Practical business considerations now compel us. even if other considerations do not suffice, to put money into Germany so that Germany may begin to help herself.” The Daily Herald points out that Mr. Bevin was first to draw attention to the necessity for ending the Potsdam impasse and says that although the task is going to be long and difficult, it is satisfactory that it is being faced at last. Britain’s Heavy Burden “The idea that victory pays financial dividends has long been exploded, but debts which it incurs should at least be kept as small as possible,” says the Daily Telegraph. The paper emphasises the tremendous burden the agreement places on Britain and claims that no agreement can be regarded as anything but second best unless it also embraces Russia and France. ' “The agreement is wise in principle, but we go on paying preposterous reparations to a vanquished foe,” says the Daily Express. “We are engaging in a speculative enterprise but we have not one dollar more at our disposal than was thought barely sufficient for the needs of Britain alone.” German Skeleton Raised The News-Chronicle says that the German skeleton has been raised into an upright position but it has still to be clothed with flesh and blood.

The first big problem is fuel and until there is enough fuel inside Germany to enable the steel industry to work at a higher capacity all the raw materials in the world will not set the factories in motion again. “To expect that the vast material damage and loss of* manpower caused by the war can be made good in three years argues no mean confidence,” says the Yorkshire Post which adds that although fusion itself can be welcomed without any reservation, the method by which it is proposed to regenerate Germany may need considerable revision. The danger is that the present plan may prove nothing but a waste of money.