The Wilmington morning star., 1945-12-30
Germany In 1916
BY MARQUIS CHILDs

WAsHINGTON-As 1915 draws to a close
the -about-Ge Germany riddle remains
as pressing as ever. The danger in the COM
ing 2 months is that America will default
on its responsibility in Europe if only for lack
of workable plan.
Against the background OF this urgency the
thick report Just released by the enemy:
branch of the now dissolved Foreign Eco
nonnic Administration looks like hopeful
beacon. Done under the guidance of Henry
H. Fowler, director of the enemy branch, it
is q more thorough job than anything yet
undertaken.
The plan recommended for Germany cuts
between the extremes, on right and LETT. 1t
rejects as impractical the theory OF former
Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau
that Germany be reduced to subsistence farm
ing.
The argument Of the group at the other
extreme-that German industry must be re.
built for the good Of Europe,-is also reject
ed That, the report points out, was the mis-
take made after World War l.
The report proposes permanent disarma-
ment commission which over long period
of wears would direct the moves to insure
that Germany never again threaten tne peace
Of the world. The long term job would be
done by civilians. But in the event OF crisis,
tho commission could invoke both military
and economic sanctions
Such a plan makes it possible to withdraw
a large army of occupation when, under pres
sure of public opinion can stay only limited
period in any event. 1t substitutes trained
personnel with specific assignments to carry
out It becomes possible to reconstitute Ger
man government which would function under
the eve of the disarmament commission.
The report seems to offer, too reasonable
solution for the heavy industry that must be
removed in order to curb Germany's war
making capacity. This would be distributed
in Europe in such a way as to strengthen
the industrial balance, helping to make sure
that Germany would never again work up 10
domination Of the continent.
The Ruhr- Rhineland complex OF coal ana
iron would be put under an international au-
thority. responsible, it is suggested, to the
United Nations. The setting up OF such an
authority would require creative Inauguration
If high order but it is not Impossible.
"In summary" says the report, the tEA
nrosrano would pacfy rather than destroy the
Germany economy 1t would redress the eco
nomic balance in Europe distorted by 1er-
way for a healthy German consumer econo-
nv, Its multiple controls would lay broad
base Tor the future peace OF the world ano
bv the flexibility OF its provisions it would be
always abreast Of chronological developments
which NAV render obsolete specific means
proposed on the basis Of present knowledge.
Finally. it is realistic in relying, in the case
Of Germany. not upon agreements to eschew
aggression or upon the ability OF the countries
to meet force with greater force, put upon
the removal of the means Of new German
aggression" -, ~.
In general It is possible to agree with that
summation. But the catch is whether such
an overall plan can be applied.
First there must be agreement among the
occupying powers. Without that nothing is
POSSIBLE. Then the responsibility falls on THIS
country to provide administrative personnel
for the permanent disarmament commission
Belatedly the State Department has oegun 10
try to assemble civilian administrators. 1t IS
not proving easy.
What we have had in Germany thus lar
has been steady deterioration toward greater
confusion. This has not been by any means
the sole fault Of the military men who are
attempting to govern Germany! Many OF them
are able and hard working. But they have
been operating within planless, direction
less vacuum.
General Joseph T. McNarney, military gov
ernor in the u S. zone, reported the other
day that great progress had been made IN
restoring Germany to the ways Of peace. That
would seem to be too optimistic. The real
roots Of war have not been severed inside
the Reich They are hidden beneath the tester
ing mess which is Germany today.
copyright 1s45 by United Feature Syndicate,
Incl