Evening star., 1949-04-10
Agreement Over West Germun,


The joint announcement by the Foreign
Ministers Of Britain. France and the
United States that full agreement" has
been reached over West Germany is well
come news. This accord promises 70
remedy a situation which. If 1t were not so
lamentable. would verge on the ludicrous.
Ever since Russian intransigeance rem
dered impossible four-power handling Of
the German problem as a whole, common
action by the three Western powers con-
corning their parts of the former Reich
became imperative. Some sort OF unif-
cation covering their respective zones of
occupation was q vital prerequisite TO
Western Germany's recovery and stability
Unfortunately, the Western powers were
split into two camps over basic policies.
with France tenaciously opposing the vir-
tually identical viewpoints Of Its English
speaking partners. French fears OF a
renewed German menace made them OBJ
ject to either restored central govern
ment or q revived heavy industry on any
thing like the prewar scale. What France
wanted was a weak confederation of vir-
tually sovereign states, together with a
separate administration under Allied con-
troll for the Ruhr-Germany's industrial
heart. In American and>British eyes the
French concept meant an indefinite per-
petuation Of German collapse, with its at
tendant burdens and dangers, intensified
by Russian schemes for the communiza-
ton and domination of all Germany
Meanwhile, the political leaders of West
ern Germany had assembled to draw up a
draft constitution for the projected unfit
cation Of the three Western occupation
zones. But any such constitution would
have to conform with Allied plans, and the
highest Allied authorities in Western Ger
many were unable to agree among them
selves as to what that plan should be. The
upshot was indignant Illustration on the
German side and profltless wrangling
among the Allied representatives. Here,
obviously, was an impasse that could be
resolved only on the highest diplomatic
level. And 1t was to end that impasse that
the Western Foreign Ministers convened in
Washington.
1t is significant that this meeting CO.
incided with the signing of the Atlantic
Pact, because that momentous document
changed the frame of reference against
which the German problem could be re-
evaluated. With the pact the democratic
Atlantic world recognized that common de-
fense against the threat of Soviet agrees
sion was the paramount consideration
To this overriding premise the German
problem, like all other outstanding issues,
became subordinate. Accordingly, favor
able atmosphere was created wherein pre-
viously incompatible viewpoints over Ger
many could be successfully harmonized
Although the actual texts of the agree
ment have not been published, and al
though much spade-work must yet be done
to implement agreements in principle, a
viable federal government for West Ger
many appears to be assured, together with
economic uniication for the three Western
zones which will permit effective Industrial
recovery. The Anglo American viewpoint
has thus prevailed. albeit with concessions
to the French which give them a con-
tfngent veto where they deem their secur-
ity to be involved. 1t is to be hoped that
France will not use its reserved rights in
an obstructive manner.
For the Germans, the agreement presages
the ending Of Allied military rule, large
AASooNiS "a SCA4 -SoNCL 1ullcIlI anu, ABOVE all,
the prospect of genuine cooperation In an
evolving European union which can enlist
their self-interest and self-respect.
BY and large, the agreement appears to
be major step forward which brightens
the entire international picture 1t cer-
taiilly promises to end what has been a
dangerous weakness in Western solidarity
against the mounting threat from Moscow.
Pnytnorchin Nat prr&;erneL:n