BITTER AGITATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27291, 18 January 1950, Page 5

BITTER AGITATION

“The German Saar For Germany ” France Rejects Suggestion NZPA—Copyright LONDON, Jan. 16. The old nationalistic slogan, “ The German Saar for Germany,” is being heard again in Western Germany. Bitter agitation, reminiscent of the days before January 13, 1935, when the Saar voted itself into Hitler’s Reich, is gaining ground. France, however, has snubbed German demands for a new plebiscite, and rejects West Germany’s suggestion that Germany should be consulted on any deal which France may make to mine coal in the Saar Valley. In Paris today a French Foreign Office spokesman said that the Foreign Minister, M. Robert Schuman, had already informed the German Chancellor, Dr Konrad Adenauer, that he would not agree to three-Power talks on Saar coal. Coal is now being mined by a French-controlled agency, and some sources in Paris believe that the Saar mines may be nationalised and then exploited by the .French agency under contract to the Saar Government.

The Saar, whose future still remains to be finally settled by the peace treaty with Germany, was given autonomous status by France two years ago, and voted to maintain economic alliance with France.

At Bonn to-day, Dr Adenauer said he would reject any French plan for a long-term lease on tne Saar mines. The mines should not be leased unless France and the Saar. Government consulted first with Western Germany. In London official circles tonight an appeal by Dr Adenauer to the Saa» Government to refrain from giving France a 50-year lease on the Saar mines was given a reserved but distinctly critical reception. British policy towards the Saar definitely envisages political detachment from Germany and continued economic integration with France. The British view is that the Saar should become another Luxemburg, with Customs and currency links with France. M. Schuman said that the French Government stood by the Saar Statute of 1947, which stated that the Saar should be partly self-governing, with economic ties with. France, but detached politically from Germany. His talks with Dr Adenauer had been about technicai aspects of the question, he said, and any changes that were proposed would have to be confirmed when the peace treaty was drawn up.