Evening star., 1954-06-29
By Crosby S. Noyes
EnHainn carraspondanf of The StaH

LONDON-From the British
point of view, the achievements
of the Washington conference
having to do with Western
Europe overshadowed whatever
may have been agreed on South
east Asia.
The British came to Washing
ton seeking agreement on line
to be followed if the European
Army Treaty, providing for the
restoration of German sover-
eighty and the controlled re-
armament of Germany, falls
through.
The communique hints that
such an agreement may have
been reached. 1t is hardly sur
prising, however, that the lead
ers fail to spell out the details
in their formal statement.
At this point, both Britain and
the United States are still
plugging for speedy ratification
of the EDO treaty by France.
Like relatives gathered around
sickbed, it's bad form to start
discussing funeral arrangements
prematurely.
EDO Critically Sick.
There is no Disgusting the fact.
however, that EDO is critically
sick. The new French govern
ment, headed by Pierre Mendes-
France, is committed officially to
working out an acceptable COM
promise between friends and foes
of the present treaty. Accept
able" in this case means accept
able to majority of the French
Assembly. Other members of the
community have served notice
that they will not consider any
revisions which would require the
tedious business of renegotiation.
Patience is wearing thin and the
mood is one of take it or leave
it,"
If, as is expected. France
neither ratifies the EDO treaty
nor produces an acceptable al
tentative, the West cannot afford
to- swallow it's disappointment
and let it go at that. AS long
as the status of Germany is
completely entangled with the
fate of EDO, the prospect of an
indefinite delay cannot be toler-
ated.
Already, German Chancellor
Konrad Adenauer is in trouble
because of the inaction of the
French government. There is nc
mistaking the handwriting on
the political wall. In the last
few days, each of the chan
: cellor's speeches has laid heavy
emphasis on the word sovereign
ty." The Germans feel that they
7 have fulfilled Loyalty every con-
dition asked of them in return
) for the right to run their own
affairs. They have ratified the
EDO, co-operated wholeheartedly
in plans for the military. econom-
{ ic and political integration OF
Europe. And today their patience
too, is wearing thin.
T Seeks Sovereignty.
= DR.. Adenauer's most recent lint
has been that the Bonn agree.
mentS, which would restore SOW
! ereignty to Germany, should b.
separated from the EDO itsel
p and put into effect Immediately
= The result would be to transfe
full political rights to the Fedora
Republic, and put a formal ent
j.. to the occupation (althougl
allied troops would remain il
u Germany as the treaty nov
:. stands, it would also permit Ger
e man rearmament.
S When this move was first Sug
= gested a few months ago b,
American High Commissions
= Conant, it got the chilliest recep
q ton from the British Foreigl
/, Office. But of late, British lead
n ers have seemed much more sym
S pathetic to the idea. For on
n thing, it dovetails with the long
q range project of bringing Ger
a many into NATO as a full
E. fledged partner-the most oftel
I. mentioned British alternative t
n EDO. This may have been tn