PROBLEM OF GERMANY

Chronicle (Levin), 27 August 1947, Page 5

PROBLEM OF GERMANY

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter,

Western ASlies Try To Fiad Way Out

Copyright ;

Received Tuesday, i p.m. LONDON, August 26. The tripartite talks between Britain, France and United States on the future level of German industry, which are taking place 111 London, raise the question whether a new attitude towards Germany is developing on the part of the western Powers. Support is given for this belief by reports from Paris and Washington which indicate that if the November meeting of the Foreign Ministers fails to make progress on Germany j France may decide to witndraw her present refusal to cooperate witli Britain and United States and agree to briug the Freneh zone of Germany under joint administration. The New York Herakl-Tribune 's Washington correspondent savs the Freneh anticipate that the London meeting of the Foreign Ministers m November xvill prove to be as complete a failure as the AIoscow meeting and that it is expected the Freneh will then agree to nierge their zone with the Anglo-American one. The Freneh would then have a voice in the control of the Ruhr "and the way would be opou for the international development of Western Germany and it.s reineorporation in Western European economv. It is possible, of course, that the Russians may eoine to London prepared to make important eoncessions to the Frencli point of view but this would be a complete about-face. In Moscow M. Bidault was treated by the Russians with a eontempt they appeared to take little trouble to conceal. The Glasgow Ilerald's diplomatic eoi;respondent, discussing the present: London talks, says they are dealing with something more tlian an agreement on the German level of industry. Behind them is the pressing questio'n of "what shall we do about the oc cupationF" The reason is that the niounting cost of German occupation is bulking verv largely in any consideration of British and European recoverv lt is now reaiised that while Germany remains (livided by an iron curtain, there is no hope of achieving the major purpose of the occupation — the reeducation of the Germans — and that the costs are out of all proportion to the rcsults acliieved. From the military point of view there is no need fot the occupation on the present lines. To keep Germanv down it is sufticient only to deprive her of all aireraft and any part in atomic research and to maintain forces which would be capable of mvading and re-occupying her at the slightest attempt at rearmament. Germany could then l>e left to work out her own salvatioii and the knowledge that she was down to bedrock in hei own economic and nioral reserves, would provide the motive which re education has so.far signally failed to supply. An unoccupied Germany, hoxv ever, means that German reeonstruction xvould l>e done under Russian auspices and that the German menace, though ideologically altered, would rise again. This is the real cxnix of the problem. Everv interest urges the Anglo Aniericans to terminate the occupation but security deniands that it be maiu tained. It is obvious that a way out rau only be fouud in the creation oi a new AVestern Europe of which the Anglo-American and Freneh zones of Germany would form a part. Other cotninentators point ou that an agreement between France, Britain and United .States on Germany is an- essential preliminary to the IMarshall j)lan and the general assumption is that ihe way J'or this agreement is now being prepared in London.