Six-Power Plan For Future Of Germany Threatens New Crisis

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 June 1948, Page 5

Six-Power Plan For Future Of Germany Threatens New Crisis

RUSSIANS SAY CO-OPERATION WILL BE OUT OF QUESTION (N.Z.P. A.—Copyright.) Received 7.5 p.m. LONDON, June 8 The plan for a single Government in Western Germany and international control of the Ruhr, drawn up by the British, French, United States and Benelux countries, threatened to provoke a crisis in both France and Germany last night. The Russians in Berlin are expected to boycott the plan immediately, and the German leaders of several part’es have already declared their dissatisfaction.

In France, M. Bidault is expected to have a hard fight to obtain French ratification and, according to the Paris correspondent of the “Daily Herald.” it may be made a question of confidence by the French Government. Both the de Gaullists and the French Communists, he adds, with several groups in between, oppose the plan and are attacking the Government for “agreeing to the rebirth of German military might” and thereby endangering French security.

Marshal Sokolovsky. Russian commander in Germany, after discussion of the plan all day with his advisers, was last night reported to have decided, after contacting Moscow, that it nullified all previous agreements on Germany and that future four-power co-operation was out of the question. German political reaction, according to the Berlin correspondent of the “Daily Mail,’’ was unanimously opposed to either all or part of the plan, with even German groups in the Western zones voicing strong objections, based mainly on the fact that the Germans had not been consulted. The western Germans, the correspondent added, foresaw Russian retaliation, especially to the proposal for a Western German Government.

Russia within 24 hours is expected to issue a strongly-worded refusal to recognise any of the six-Power London Conference decisions on the future of Western Germany, says Reuter's Berlin correspondent. The Russian Comander of the Soviet Zone. Marshal Sokolovsky, spent all yesterday in his closely-guarded headquarters with his chief advisers studying copies of the conference findings which had been sent to him, and according to German political circles the Russian meeting decided that the London decisions made future four-Pow-er co-operation in Germany-im-possible. The People's Council of the Soviet-sponsored German People’s Congress issued a protest declaring that the six-Power conference decisions were the first steps towards the splitting of Germany.’’ The People's Council emphasised that the London decisions did not mention a peace treaty with the German people. “A separate Western Government will always be subject to the western occupation powers’ veto. The Council implores every German to refrain from participation in a policy of splitting his country.”

Reuter s Hanover correspondent says that the German Social Democratic Party headquarters described the six-Power proposals as unsatisfactory. “The great powers given to the separate German provinces regarding the formation of a Constiuent Assemb.y must be regarded with concern.

Observers in Berlin stated that Frankfurt, Hamburg, or one of Germany’s spa cities was likely to be selected as the site for convening the suggested Constituent Assembly Making the first official Russi’an comment on the six-Power agreement for the future treatment of Western Germany, "Pravda” called it "a sec ret deal for Germany’s dismemberment which coul<j never enjoy international authority. The association of the Benelux Countries in a policy regarding • Germany is recommended by the SixPower London conference on the future of Germany, in a report submitted to the Governments of the United States, Britain, France, Belgium, Holland .and Luxemburg, according to a communique which was issued yesterday.

The recommendations include specit fic provisions for a close association between the military governors and Benelux representatives in Germany on matters affecting Benelux interests, with full opportunities for Benelux representatives to be kept informed of developments in the western zones.

The conference also recommended: 1. International control of the Ruhr by an authority composed of British, United States, French, Netherlands Belgian, Luxemburg, and Geri Zan representatives. The German repre sentatives should for the present be chosen and their votes exercised by the occupying Powers concerned.

2. The establishment of a Constituent Assembly for Western Germany. The Military Governors of the three western occupation zones should convene a meeting of Prime Ministers of the German States within their zones, who would be authorised to convene a Constituent Assembly for the whole of Western Germany, chartered with the task of preparing a Constitution for a future Western German Government.

3- The creation of a Military Security Board for the western zones during the occupation period and maintenance after the termination of occupation, of a system of inspection and control of industry to secure disarmament and demilitarisation. MFSTEERN COMBINATION

The conference agreed that for the political and economic well-being of the Western European countries, including Germany, there must be close association of their economic life. The recommendation to establish an international authority for the control of the Ruhr would not involve separation of the Ruhr area from Germany. It would, however, contemplate the control of the distribution of the coal, coke and steel of the Ruhr, to prevent the area becoming an instrument of aggression and to make its contribution to all countries participating in the European co-opera-tive economic programme, including Germany. The conference reaffirmed the principle of non-discrimination against foreign Interests in Germany. The conference considered that the German people should be given an opportunity to achieve the eventual re-etsablishment of German unity. They should be free to establish for themselves political organisation and institutions which will enable them to assume governmental responsibilities compatible with the minimum requirements of occupation and control, and ultimately to establish a Constitution. with previsions allowing all the German States to subscribe as soon as circumstances permitted. FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

The conference agreed that the proposed German constituent assembly should enable the Germans to play a part in ending the present division of Germany, not by the reconstitution of a centralised Reich, but by a federal form of Government, adequately protecting the rights of the respective States and guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of the individual The conference submitted agreed-to proposals for dealing with certain minor provisional territorial adjustments in the western frontiers of Germany.

The United States, United Kingdom, and French delegations reiterated the views that there could not be any general withdrawal of their forces from Germany until the peace of Europe was secured. The communique stated that the present recommendations in no way precluded, and on the contrary, should facilitate, an eventual Four-Power agreement. They were designed to solve urgent political and economic problems arising from the present situation in Germany. The agreement on the Ruhr, it stated, constituted a statement of principles which should form the basis for an international authority. This authority, it says shall take decisions by a majority vote. The United States, Britain, France and Germany shall have three votes each, and the Benelux countries one vote each. The international authority, if the German Government does not carry out ! ts decisions, may by a majority vote find that the German Government is in default. The international authority could then recommend to the occupation authorities to take enforcement measures.