Evening star., 1949-08-10
Herriot Sees Split
On Letting Germany
Into Europe Council
By the Associoted Press

STRASBOURG, France, Aug.
10.-Former French Premier Ed
Guard Herriot said today a divi-
sion of minds exists on the ques-
ton of admitting Germans to the
new council of Europe.
In an address before the open
ing session of the councils consul
tative assembly Mr.. Herriot in
dicated Western Germany would
have to work her way into the
organization with proofs that she
no longer harbors aggressive in
tentions.
He told the 101 delegates from
IL nations that the assembly
would deal with problems Of life
and death" for Europe.
"A closer association Of Europe
presents itself as a matter OF
urgency" he said.
Progress to Unity Expected.
Many political leaders Of West
ern Europe hope that the dis
cussions here will mark a long
advance toward the goal of full
unity of that portion of Europe
outside the Soviet orbit.
There have been proposals to
include Western Germany in the
organization as soon as the new
West German goyernment-is
functioning. 1t was thought that
Mr.. Herriot's statement on the
question perhaps reflected the
point of view of the French dele
cation. France has deep-seated
fear Of Germanr asgression based
on history. sz%sSsssea !.
Mr.. Herriot listed the achieve
ments of Germany's great men
of science, art and letters and
said: IF Germany had remained
faithful to these great examples.
how eagerly we should work with
her for the organization Of a lib
eral Europe"
Moral Problem Seen.
Describing the Germans con-
duct during World War II, Mr..
Herriot said: 1T is therefore for
Germany herself to reply to a
question which. for us, raises a
moral even more than a political
problem"
He said the European Council
has its hand out to the East and
is not preparing military al
lance" He added:
1T is simply a question of safe
guarding and realizing the ideals
which are the common heritage
of the participating members. We
are not declaring war on any one.
Whatever may be alleged, our
have no aggressive point
directed against anybody"
Mr.. Herriot, a leader in the
movement for the European unity.
paid special tribute to Winston
Churchill, declaring: From his
mind sprang the movement which
has brought us together here"
Mr.. Churchill, one Of the British
parliamentary delegates. was seat
ed in the second row.
Assembly Revolt Threatens.
Earlier members of the con-
sultative assembly talked revolt
against the dominating powers of
the Ministerial Committee within
the council.
On all sides, members Of Eu-
ropes new semi-legislative body
voiced complaints against the
controlling position given the
committee, made up of the for
eign ministers of the IL member
nations.
The assembly convenes for the
first time this afternoon. Leaders
Of two groups, the European
Movement and the Interparlia-
mentary Union, predicted that
one Of the assembly's first moves
will be to attempt to revise the
setup to give the assembly an
equal voice in the councils de-
cisions.
Under the present statute set
ting UP the council, the assembly
may not add any point to its
agenda without the approval of
the Ministerial Committee. Many
deputies appeared to feel the as
sembly should have a free hand
in working out its agenda.
British Collect $6,480