CAUTIOUS APPROVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27241, 18 November 1949, Page 7

CAUTIOUS APPROVAL

Recent Events In Germany

British Press Surveys Scene * NZPA Special Correspondent

Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 17. Cautious approval of the recent exchanges between the Allies and Western Germany is expressed by British newspapers. The Daily Telegraph says two broad conclusions may be drawn from the details as disclosed by the French Foreign Minister, M. Robert Schuman, and the Chancellor of the West German Republic, Dr Konrad Adenauer. The first is that the German Chancellor himself has made an enlightened effort to combine the calming of allied fears with a satisfying of the aspirations of his own people. The second is that the instructions sent to the High Commissioners as a result of the Paris meetings combine caution with reason. There ought to be grounds for some commonsense arrangement in this display. of goodwill on both sides, the paper says. The Daily Telegraph adds that these prospects may be upset by a repetition of the events of the 1920’5, but adds that these echoes of old unhappy things must not be allowed to dictate stagnation or sterility in policy. Return by Stages As the German Chancellor claimed in his passionate plea for Franco-Ger-man understanding, there are probably more people and leaders, both among the Allies and in Germany, willing to be reasonable and co-operative than ever before. “The principle of the negotiations now begun is evident. It is that, as M. Schuman accurately stated, Germany’s return to the European family is to be accomplished by stages in each of which concessions are to be won by her co-operation with the Allies.

“The first stage is, roughly speaking, the dropping of dismantling in return for German acceptance of an international regime for the Ruhr. Larger questions, such as German membership of the Atlantic- Treaty or even a modification of the occupation statute, are completely reserved for the future. No doubt there will be cries of disappointment in Germany, where expectations of the results of the Paris meetings were raised to a wholly impossible point. But progress faster than stage by stage is really out of the question.” The Manchester 'Guardian says that if the accounts regarding dismantling given by M. Schumann and Dr Adenauer are accepted, a state of things must be foreseen whei*e certain bans

and limitations are officially to remain in force, presumably because the French would not agree to their removal. while measures which would make these effective are, to be halted because of American insistence. “ This is exactly how we have tackled the German problem all along: maintaining restrictions which infuriate the Germans and at the same time render them useless. It will be a pity if we are to continue along the same lines. We all know that policy can only be made by a series of compromises, but all ttie same it has got to be as consistent as possible, and it has got to be wholeheartedly carried out." The Guardian also says that what is really dangerous about Germany is not her own taint possibilities of aggressive action, but the doubts which Doth the East and the West have about each other’s German poiicies and the measures to which these may lead them. Security Restrictions

This dangerous tendency can be stopped only if the Foreign Ministers would definitely state an intention — making it plain, for instance, that no security restriction would be lifted in Western Germany which was still observed in the Russian zone. To “repeat” Potsdam is not enough:'our faith in four-Power agreements is not particularly convincing. The News Chronicle says that "our French friends are too realistic to imagine that Germany can forever De held in check by lorce. The wiser among them have learned that even if this were morally desirable it is politically and economically impossible. “They therefore seek to solve certain questions about absorbing her into the greater community of Western Europe. This possibility is great for the first time, and apparatus has been created to absorb Germany into the Western civilisation." Dr Adenaeur confirmed the fact that he “ was prepared to co-operate in any organisation intended to control the German war potential ” and would also support the immediate setting up of a joint security commission. “This," continues the News Chronicle, “is something we have never had before in the troubled story of Europe—namely, an offer from the German Government to join with its neighbours in muzzling the dogs of war. This affords the best hope we have yet had of Germany forswearing her old lust for world domination.”