Evening star., 1953-01-12
Britoin's Role in West Europe

Reservations being expressed in high
political circles of France and West Germany
toward the European army treaty reflect one
common note. 1t is that closer association
should be guaranteed between Britain and
the proposed European Defense Community.
Frances new Premier, M. Mayer, gave voice
to this hope on accepting the Gaullist condition
that amendments or supplementary protocols
be attached to the treaty before ratification.
Chancelor Adenauer of West Germany, agree
ing to the need for Qualification" of the treaty,
likewise expressed the wish for closer British
association.
Since then, Brtain's Field Marshal Mont
gomery, speaking as deputy commander of the
NATO forces, has urged upon British parlia-
mentary delegation that Britain should formally
join the defense community. He proposed
that Britain should commit her ground forces
in Europe to the European army-currently
contemplated as single uniform six-nation
force of supranational character. BY so doing,
he added, Britain would provide an element of
leadership now lacking in the West European
defense structure. The suggestion, represent
ing an extreme departure from British policy
of cooperation without being signatory Of
the EDO treaty, prompted the Foreign Office
in London to point out that Marshal Mont
gomery was expressing only personal opinion
and did not represent the British government
on this policy level.
Britains present relationship to the EDO
is officially defined as follows: AS member of
the NATO, Britain Is party to the protocol
of last May q by which each NATO power
would regard an attack upon any EDO power
as an attack upon itself. In addition, Britain
has exchang a special guarantee with the
EDO proLIising to provide automatic military
assistance in event of an attack upon any of
the EDO nations. Even before signing of the
EDO treaty by the six charter powers-France,
Italy, West Germany and the Benelux coun-
tries-Foreign Secretary Eden pledged that
British forces on the continent would be
maintained there "as long as is necessary" and
would be linked closely with the European army
in training, administration and supply.
That both France and West Germany
should be seeking today an even broader COM
mitment from Britain is understandable on
historical basis. Britain's traditional role on
the continent has been to seek balance of
power, primarily between France and Germany.
1t has been role which has helped save each
of the other nations on occasion, as well as
serving Britain'S own interests by preventing
the emergence of a single all-powerful con-
tinental neighbor.
In the development of various plans for
West European unity-political, economic and
military-Britain has continued to play it's
traditional role through close association, but
without transferring any of its sovereignty to
the proposed supranational bodies 1t Is un-
likely that this policy will be changed now,
although some additional devices may be found
for giving to both France and West Germany
the further assurances asked. It is period of
critical testing of the philosophy of West
European unity. Britain has a heavy re-
sponsibility as well as great opportunity to
provide the extra measure of leadership.