Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-08-21
Germany Makes First Team,
France Is Cold ShouIdered
Brussels PorIey Soid to Show Europe
Is Fed Up With French Political Paralysis

provides one more illustration of
how gravely the French mis-
judged the climate at Brussels
or the temper of it's European
partners. The whole. theory of a
tWo-power agreement has been
steadfastly resisted by Germany
and for the first time since the
war France has found itself
lonely and isolated at an i'm
portant conference.
German spokesman here don't
like it when reporters say that
Mr.. Adena,ler has refused" to
see Mr.. Mendes-France. But the
fact remains that enc formal
French request for a meeting has
been politely ducked and that
the Chancellor has pointedly
avoided any impromptu tete-a-
tete with the French Premier
during the course of the confer
ence.
The excuse the first time was
that Mr.. Adenauer was too
tired" after his drive from Bonn
to see anybody Later, after a
dinner given by Belgian Premier
Paul Henri Spaak, the pair met
briefly over coffee and cigars
But as sooM as the conversation
began to take a serious turn
Chancellor Adenauer again ex-
cused himself on grounds of IA
tigue and left the party.
For those who know the work
ing habits and fabulous stamina
of the 80-year-old Chancellor
this timely exhaustion is regarded
with more than a little suspicion
Even the French have apparently
caught the hint. No further
efforts, 1t is said. will be made to
arrange an interview which Mr.
Adenauer obviously wants to
avoid.
Some Observers Critical.
Some observers here have been
bitterly critical of the German
attitude. The crisis is too grave
they argue, to permit such a dis
play of coyness on the part of
any responsible European leader
Common interest, they say, calls
for quite a different attitude.
That criticism, however, over
looks several important facts
about the behavior of Mr.. AIDE
nauer and other EDO leaders
here - facts which the French
are only just beginning to un-
derstand clearly.
To begin with, it illustrates a
strong feeling of suspicion and
mistrust of the new French gov
eminent which is felt through
out the European community
Unquestionably there is a per-
sonal element in the feeling
too. With the exception of
Premier Mendes France, all lead
ers here are veterans of the
struggle to build a European
community. Many of them had
a major part in the long and
painful process of constructing
the. treaty and defending it
against political opponents in
their own countries. Their in
terest in their brainchild is
strongly personal and fiercely
protective. Not unnaturally
these men look on Mr.. Mendes.
France as something of a par
venu whose efforts in the past
they have regarded as hostile tt
their cherished ideal of a unitee
Europe.
Feelings Toward France Cool.
On their side the Germans car
also argue that the friendliest
personal contacts with French
leaders in the past have not nota.
bly, advanced the cause of EDO
Chancellor Adenauer and Rober1
Schuman, former French foreign
minister, who signed the treaty
for France, and later former
Foreign Minister Georges Bi'
dault, were on the most cordia
terms over a long period. Their,
fCoa NnvEC Do,ro AON