Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-17
One More Step in Europe

The progress of Western Europe toward an
all-embracing unity-economic, military and
political-was marked by a step forward in
the meetings of the European Constitutional
Assembly at Strasbourg. BY unanimous vote,
with only five abstentions, the IS delegates
approved a draft charter setting up supra
national union of the six continental powers
already signatory to the European Defense
Community.
AS with the latter project, the political
agreement must be ratified by the parliament
tary bodies of the six states and 1t would be
naive to believe that this essential action
will come easily or quickly In fact, the charter
itself reflects through some of its reservations
and omissions the very real issues which
are keeping the powers involved-particularly
France and West Germany-from taking the
decisive steps toward complete unity. The
charter is neither a federation representing a
merger of states nor a confederation Of soy
ereign states, but rather coordination OF
political authorities deriving it's power from
the Coal and Steel and Defense Community
treaties. For the latter reason, ratification Of
the EDO pact is a prerequisite to the union
charter becoming effective
Two of the significant omissions in the
Strasbourg document are that the status of
overseas territories is left for future definition
by the individual nations and that proposed
article on the future of the Saar was dropped
entirely Each is a highly controversial issue,
certain to figure Importantly in parliamentary
debates.
Despite these negative characteristics, and
some of the delegates expressed open diSap-
pointment about them the agreement at StraS-
bourg is another startling demonstration Of the
extent to which the concept of supranational-
ism in Western Europe has taken hold For
centuries, the continent has been torn apart
by national rivalries The stamp OF fear and
hatred which these have engendered is still
imprinted deeply upon public opinion. Ahead
of this public opinion, in recent years, however,
has been a political leadership in each Of the
states involved which has devised and rallied
to the cause of supranationalism as formula
for reconciling the separate interests.
It is only too clear that this leadership is
facing its most difficult tests in the months to
come. For one reason or another, some repre-
senting sincere doubts and some representing
political selfshness, opposing factions have
grown in strength in the past few months.
Fortunately these forces were not modified
in time to block ratification Of the Coal and
Steel Authority plan, and this project is now
q working reality that lends impetus to the
collateral proposals for unity. Conversely, the
EDO pact has become begged down in series
of evasive maneuverings conferred particularly
in Paris and Bonn but having their effect on
parliamentary plans in the other capitals.
Before another month has passed the heads
of the French and West German governments
are scheduled for separate visits to Washing
ton. The consultations here may have a vital
bearing upon the next chapter in the history
Of Europe, and perhaps Of the world.