Evening star., 1947-07-14
Poris Meeting Must Seek
To End Europe's Needs
Coal Tops List of Problems, Food
And Transportation Follow
By Rayn, ond MoIsv

By Raynso ond MoIsy
As the die Is cast for . union Of Western
Europe. the Paris conference must get down
to specifications. The greatest needs come frst
and the most urgent OF these - coal. Before
the war, three-quarters Of the coal used in
Europe came from the United Kingdom and
from Germany. Now, since most Of dermany's
coal is in the British zone, the whole problem
Ii Britains.
The first questions we want answered by
Europe are: What can Western Europe do to
increase, rapidly and before winter, . supply
Of European coal? What can the United States
do to help? In 1s1s-ls22. Europe accomplished
= miracle in the recovery Of coal production.
Can this be repested7
Germany, Austria Nod Foed.
Food comes next. The need II greatest in
Germany and Austria. In most Of the other
countries 1t is not 20 much . question Of food
production as Of distribution and stabilized
finances. France has always fed herself. but
now the peasant prefers to feed his cattle
rather than to sell his food to city people.
Similar situations appear in Italy, Southern
Germany and Austria. Europe must tell US how
we can help stabilize their currency and dis
tribute their food. Peasants want money for
their products not paper substitutes for money.
Transportation comes next. All kinds Of
European transportation are SLOW and irregu-
lar. Most Americans wonder at this, because
they fail to realize the extent to which Euro
peans are dependent on inland waterways. A
third of German coal was normally transported
over rivers and canals which are usable only
eight months in the year. The barses formerly
used for hauling coal have been taken away.
seagoing craft have been destroyed or removed.
Here Is dire need.
Fourth on the list Is fertilizer. One ton Of
synthetic nitrogen, properly used. produces 20
tons Of grain or 100 tons Of potatoes The prob
lem thus comes down to rebuilding German
factories in which fertilizer can be produced
from German air and German coal. Mean
while the United States may be called on for
immediate supplies.
Potsdam Plan May BE Dropped.
The need for iron and steel under the new
European alignment will probably result in the
scrapping Of the so-called "level Of industry
plan" It may also result In the scrspping of
the Potsdam plan for holding down German
production OF iron and steel to one-third Of
prewar production. Control Of armament pro-
duction will probably have to be accomplished
by some other means. But Europe will most
certainly claim from us . large proportion of
the metal products necessary to rebuild the
industry.
Seven years after World War I, all Euro
pean nations except the Soviet Union created
the so-called steel cartel system. The Paris
conference may seek . similar plan. Here
American prejudices against cartels may in
terpose objections.
It 10 possible that out OF Paris may come
lons-term proposals for Western Europe Gus
toms union. small beginning already EXITS
in agreements among France, Holland, Belgium
and Luxembourg. The break with Russia may
hasten the grand economic alliance which has
been the dream Of many statesmen business
men and economists.
The creation of order and Of ultimate self
sufIiciency may well come from this Paris meet
ing. Urgent need, . prospect Of generous help
and tho final breaking Of the Soviet spell may
accomplish what has never been possible before.
CRslsassd b. The Associated NswsDapsrs)