Evening star., 1952-02-04
The Soor Controversy

Chancellor Adenauer's government at Bonn
has advanced two horse-trading proposals that
have complicated the problem of arranging for
West German participation in the military de-
tense of free Europe. What they amount to is
a special asking price for such participation,
and II they are insisted upon, they will slow up
the task Of organizing an effective international
army of the type that France has sponsored in
connection with the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization.
The proposals-both of which are strongly
opposed by the French call for West Germany's
membership in the Atlantic Pact and for an
early plebiScte to determine the political future
of the Saar. OF the two, the less difficult to
handle is that bearing upon the NATO alliance,
for the Germans can be certain OF attaining, In
one form or another, a satisfactory and fully
guaranteed status in that alliance just as soon
as they begin contributing to it. The Saarland
question, however, is something else again. In
reviying it at this time, the Adenauer govern
ment has stirred up an old controversy in
manner that can hardly help to promote Franco
German cooperation for mutual European de-
tense.
In effect, the Saar proposal-which is merely
a renewal of past demands seek to head
off what Bonn has frequently described as a
French annexation" effort. At present, the
small but coal-rich and industrially important
Saarland-whose control has shifted between
France and Germany no fewer than fye times
in the past $50 years-has stop-gap political
character under special agreement worked out
with Paris in March, 1850. Under the agreement
which has been formally Endorsed by Britain
and the United States-50-year mine leases and
railway integration have linked the region with
Frances economy. In domestic matters, the
territory is self governing, but the French exer-
else top authority over it in other respects, with
the proviso that its permanent status should be
determined when final German peace treaty
is written.
But the Adenauer government-presse by
strong German nationalist forces-has requested,
despite the Anglo-French- American rejection OF
a similar request last August, that the saar-
landers be allowed to stage free elections next
fall to determine whether they want to be tied
to Germany or to France. Back in 1885, after
having been under control Of the League OF Ma
tions they decided in the same sort Of plehiscite
to join themselves with Hitler's Reich. Although
they seem to be well satisfied with their present
status, the chances are that their historical and
racial background would persuade q majority OF
them to choose Germanic ties once more In any
new vote on the issue-which is one reason why
Bonn wants such vote at an early date.
However, although the Adenauer government
may be able to put up some persuasive argu-
ments, France is on strong ground in insisting
with British and American support-that the
present arrangements are helping to promote
greater economic and political integration in
Europe and that a final Saar settlement should
be deferred until the writing of an overall Ger
man treaty. Bonn would be well advised to
modify it's stand. It's own best interests lie in
avoiding any controversy likely to impede the
Western defense build-up which is certainly as
important to free Germany as to the Atlantic
community as whole.