Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-04-11
The Germon-Americon Talks

The summation contained In the Joint
communique on the German-American talks
just concluded here confirms the impression
that these have been among the most success
full and mutually satisfying in the series OF
international conferences which the Eisen-
hover administration has been holding In
recent weeks
For Chancellor Adenauer, whose states
manship and StaunchneSs already have con-
tributed much to the recovery Of his own
country and to the cause of West European
unity, the results of his visit should be of
substantial value in the West German general
elections in September.
From the German standpoint, two problems
are paramount today. One is the fundamental
one of Identification Of greater Germany for
which prerequisite in Western opinion is the
holding of genuinely free elections in both the
East and West portions of the country. The
formation of an alderman government and
eventually the negotiation of peace treaty
would be the detectives. No political party in
West Germany can safely ignore this issue, and
the reiteration, in the communique, of A1neri-
can Endorsement of the principle will strengthen
DR.. Adenauer at home.
The second problem pressing upon West
Germany today is an economic one-calling
the West German industrial recovery that a
desperate need is close for greater external
markets. On this matter, DR.. Adenauer was
given tangible encouragement here-that Off
shore defense contracts might be placed In
West Germany after ratification of the EDO
treaty, that an interim agreement would be
drawn to re-eStabliSh a normal commercial
relationship between the United States and
the Federal Republic that restoration of Ger
man trademark rights would be speeded, that
$50 German owned ships would be restored
to German authorities, and that German in
terest in the Eisenhower objective of expanded
world trade is recognized.
Politically, there was value to DR.. Adenauer
in the expression of joint interest in Berlin-a
symbol of great Importance to all Germans
and in the American promise to review the
status of German war criminals now in United
States custody. Only in the matter of tenn
porary aid in supporting the stream of refugees
from East Germany did Chancellor Adenauer
ask direct financial help and the promise was
given to consider this problem in the prepara
ton of the mutual security program for the
coming fiscal year.
AS one of the architects of the European
army concept, the German Chancellor reaf-
firmed his determination to continue the fight
of the West German Parliament is the only one
of the signatory nations yet to approve the pact
and DIR. Adenauer is hopeful that full ratifca-
ton will be obtained in his country within a
few weeks. Meanwhile, he promised further
efforts to seek agreement with the French on
the Saarland issue which is blocking ratification
efforts in the French National Assembly.
From the American viewpoint West Ger
man participation in the European defense
structure is essential. Our promise that we
will assist in arming the German components
of the European army should aid in the ratifi-
cation efforts in Bonn and may prove to be an
investment of high return to the cause of
lettering Communist aggression Probably
none among the Western leaders is more
realistic in his appreciation of the Communist
threat to world peace than Chancellor Ade-
nauer and the course of the talks here has
indeed cemented "a far-reaching identity of
views and detectives"