Evening star., 1954-10-10
|Mendes-F France May Be Tough; So IS Assembly
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French deputies seem determined
to make things hard for the Pre-
mier and, short of rejecting him
completely. refuse to vote either
way.
This stubborn resistance to Mr..
MendeS-France'S leadership has
been the most striking feature Of
the debate so far. The opposi-
tion to the London agreements
reflects q certain amount OF gen.
uine concern over the new ar
rangements for German rearm-
ament. But most impressive was
the evidence Of smoldering re-
sentiment toward the government
by those who approve the basic
features of the London plan
members Of the former regime
known primarily for their record
Of cooperation with the United
States-whose present objections
seem inspired by what has been
described as "a certain nostalgia
for power"
Debate Is Listless.
For all the antagonism, how
ever, the debate has been listless.
In comparison to the impas-
stoned fireworks that preceded
the death of EDO, the majority
this time seems resigned to swal-
lowing the London agreement
and the treaties that will be pre-
sented for approval soon.
Even the Communists have
provided little in the way of di-
version. After their opening blast
against the governments pro-
posals, the Red leaders decided
wisely that any further contribu-
ton from them would only in
sure a Mendes-France victory
Sitting back and listening to the
debate. however, the normally
Sullen Communist deputies
seemed pleasantly amused gooo
deal of the time.
mier Mendes-France's
problem, of course. was not with
the Communists, nor with the
extremists throughout the AS.
sembly who automatically anC
'blindly oppose all formulas fol-
German rearmament. His prob
lem from the beginning has beer
to win support from the center
political groups who's largely
supported EDO and who have
long argued that no alternative
solution to German rearmament
was possible.
Among these groups-includ.
ing Socialists. moderate Republi-
cans and Independents - objec.
tions to the London agreement
centered on one major theme
The fear of a revived indepen-
dent German army general staff
which might once again play 8
decisive political role in Germany
and lead the West into a new
war.
Dangers Are Cited.
This danger, they argue. die
not exist under EDO. It doe.
exist in the less closely integratee
military community under tn.
proposed Brussels treaty organi.
zation. Specifically. the variou.
center party leaders demanded
that the Premier should insist
on:
/. Closer integration of Euro.
pean armies within the Brussels
community.
2. A clear-cut commitment b,
Germany not to back out o1
BRUTO in the event of reunifi.
cation (ors as the price of re.
unif1cation). ~
3. New teeth In the Brussel.
treaty which would make de.
cision Of the BRUTO council
binding on all with provision!
for sanctions In case Of disc.
bedience.
1. Stricter control Of arma.
mentS. including Standardization
Of arms procurement within thu
Brussels organization.
5. A greater dose Of super
nationalism" throughout aimini
at democratic political control O.
BRUTO by the elected nationa
representatives.
In the course Of the debate
Mr.. Mendes-France went a loni
way to satisfy these demands
He agreed to renew a fight TO