Evening star., 1950-01-21
Cause of Peace Hurt
By Refusal 10 Return
Saar TO Germany
Action Will Bring Profit
Only to Communists
And Russion Empire
By Dorothy THOMPSON

Peace, to endure in a democratic
world, must be self-perpetuating
To be self-perpetuating peace
must represent justice, within a
framework of principles, valid for
victor and defeated alike. For if
measures imposed by the victors
cannot be supported by principles
which the victors apply to them
selves, the measures will never
have the force of law, will always
appear arbitrary and have to be
enforced, and will make the victor
himself vulnerable through. guilt
and self-doubt. No public con-
science will support them. They
will tester in the perpetual re-
sentiment they arouse, and en-
courage the defeated to seek re-
dress of grievance.
Throughout history the losers of
wars have expected to pay repara-
tions. Where these are such as
not to destroy the economy or
reduce the population below SUBJ
sistence and where the debt is
clearly assessed so that the de-
feated can plan for liquidating
it, reparations never induce en-
during resentment.
Right to Be Governed.
But it is different when one
cuts permanently into the fabric
of a nation, by dismembering
long established national COM
munities. The dismembering OF
France by Prussia after the Wa1
Of 1870 by the annexation OF AL
SAGE and Lorraine ignited a per-
manent conflict between France
and Germany. For the feeling
of nationality is perhaps the most
powerful of all social forces since
the rise of the national state.
The right to be governed by
national kindred has been estab-
lished as justice. and as funda-
mental human right, applied to-
day in colonial areas, leading to
the dissolution of ancient empires
and Tito'S detection from the
U. S. S. R. This right, equateo
with justice, is rooted in historic
associations, lingual and cultura
ties, and, in modern times, in self.
determination.
It is obvious that whether Eu.
rope lives or dies will depend or
whether causes of just grievance
are eliminated between the ma.
tions of the West. For if they are
not eliminated. the amicable unity
which the magnitude of the threat
demands will never be achieved.
Yet France is refusing to make
the only settlement of the Saal
question compatible with the prin'
ciples of nationality. And, un.
fortunately, some of our CORE
spondents, whether from parti-
sanship or ignorance, are confus-
ing the issue by confounding the
facts.
Always German.
The Saar has always been Ger
man, from tribal times when it
was inhabited by "Alamanni." 1t
became part of the East-Frankish
(German kingdom at the parti-
ton of Verdun in 843. Although
for time the early lords were
the Bishops of Mertz, it belonged
after 1881 to the Counts of Mas
sau who had given their allegi-
ance to the German king in 1913.
The only exceptions in over a
thousand years of history were
from 1801-1815 when the Saar
(along with the rest of Europe)
was conquered by Napoleon; and
from 1918-1935, when it was under
League of Nations trusteeship to
assure the delivery of its coal to
France.
In 1895. by the provisions of the
Treaty of Versailles, a plebiscite
under League of Nations super
vision, was held to determine
whether the population wished tc
remain under the League, joir
France, or join Germany. Il
voted over 80 per cent for Ger
many-in the opinion of League
observers, despite Hitler.
The Saar is, therefore, German
by history. race, language, ane
self-determination. No princi.
ple-applicable to Frenchmen, In.
dians, 1ndonesians-can be in.
voked for detaching it from Ger.
many, or handing it's coal field.
(part of its territory to France
whatever may be done with tn,
coal products.
And since it Is unjustifiable ir
principle no German government
based on popular will, even one
SO pro-F'rench as Conrad AIDE.
nauer's, can abandon the Saal
and remain in office. France il
not. therefore, increasing her Sc.
curity by holding out on the
Saar. She will engender the same
enmity which Prussia engenderec
In France by the annexation ot
Alsace-Lorraine.
The only profit will be drawn
by the German and French Com.
munists-and Russia.
tReleased by the Bell Syndicate. Inc.)