RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF GERMAN FREEDOM SOUGHT BY BIG THREE MINISTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27390, 16 May 1950, Page 5

RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF GERMAN FREEDOM SOUGHT BY BIG THREE MINISTERS

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright LONDON, May 14. The Big Three Foreign Ministers —Mr Ernest Bevin (Britain), Mr Dean Acheson (United States) and M. Robert Schuman (France) —in a declaration on Germany, stated that Germany should re-enter progressively the community of free peoples of Europe, thus pursuing their aim previously laid down. The Ministers said that they wished to see the pace of progress towards this end as rapid as possible. The declaration said that, in view of the continued refusal of the Soviet Government to permit inhabitants of their zone to rejoin their fellow countrymen in a democratic and united Germany, it had not been possible, and would not be so long as this Soviet policy persisted, to proceed to the conclusion of a peace treaty with Germany.

The Ministers agreed to set up a study group in London to undertake preparatory work to enable the occupation statute to be reviewed, and to make recommendations for eliminating “major practical inconveniences arising in the countries concerned from the state of war.” The declaration said that as soon as a situation was reached when Germany could re-enter the community of free peoples she would be liberated from all controls and accorded sovereignty to the maximum extent compatible with the basis of the occupation regime. This regime had been imposed on the Germans and the Allies by the consequences of the division of Germany and the international position. Until this situation was modified the regime must be retained in accordance with the common interests of Germany and Europe. The declaration said that progress towards liberation from control must depend on the degree of co-operation the German Government and people displayed. In the first place, the pace would be determined by the extent to which the Allies could be satisfied that their own security was safeguarded by the development in Germany of a desire for peace and friendly association with themselves. In the second place, the pace would be set by the rate at which Germany advanced towards a condition in which true democracy governed and the just liberties of individuals were assured. The declaration said: “Therefore the Western Powers wish to emphasise most strongly that the natural desire of the German people to secure a relaxation of controls and a restoration of sovereignty of their country depends for its satisfaction only upon the efforts of the German people themselves and of their Government.” Security Guarantee Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent said the declaration implied a security guarantee for the defence of the West German State within the Atlantic Treaty mechanism. He said that this Big Three Conference differed from previous ones as the Ministers had now planned a general broad policy for many years to come. A British Foreign Office spokesman said the Ministers had “no intention of concluding a peace treaty with a part of Germany.” . The spokesman added that 'the Foreign Ministers of the Benelux countries—Holland, Belgium. and Luxembourg—yesterday accepted the text of the declaration. In Bonn today the West German Chancellor, Dr Konrad Adenauer, said the Big Three communique on Germany “will be greeted with satisfaction in the widest circles in Germany. It is quite clear from the communique that the three Western Allies are firmly resolved to give Germany as soon as possible complete freedom of action and to receive her in the community of nations. I rejoice that the conference has come out so well for us. I am convinced that the communique will be followed by concrete results in the nearest ftuure.”

Diplomatic circles in Rome welcomed the declaration on Germany as an important step towards integration in the European Union advocated by Italy. Unofficially it is believed that Italy would welcome the appearance on the European diplomatic scene of a new post-war Power capable of exerting considerable influence on the United States, France, and Britain. It is felt that Italy may find useful diplomatic support in a West Germany endowed with a bigger voice in the affairs of Western Europe. French Reaction

In Paris, French political quarters called the declaration on occupation policy in Germany a “momentous decision expressed in moderate terms.” It is thought that this step towards the re-entry of Germany into the free community of European nations would generally be acceptable to French opinion except the Communists and other extreme Left Wing elements, as there appeared to be adequate safeguards. Reuter’s Brussels correspondent reports that Belgian political circles warmly welcomed that part of the declaration making it clear that Germany’s evolution towards full sovereignty and complete integration in Western Europe is contingent on the “ degree of confident and frank cooperation which the Government and people of the German Federal Republic will display.” A source close to the Belgian Government said: “The integration of Germany in a united Europe is a highly desirable thing in itself, but this time we can afford no risks. The truly democratic nature of the would-be partners in the State must be proved beyond doubt before it is admitted as a fully-fledged member of the community of free and honest nations.” A Moscow radio commentator today described the Big Three’s London conference as a “scheduled step in the preparation of a new war,” and an “ official confirmation of the dictate imposed by the United States on Western Europe.” The commentator added: “The peace-loving declarations of the Western rulers cannot deceive anyone. Preparation for war is the basic content of their home and foreign policy. Their peace perorations are exploded at every step by their own deeds.”