Reminders to the Germans
The fact that the firm speech delivered at Stuttgart on Monday by Mr. McCloy, the American High Commissioner in Germany, came immediately after his return from consultations in Washing- ton adds materially to its weight. Difficulties in Germany do not diminish. Russian irritations and obstructions, such as the semi- blockade on the road from the West to Berlin, are obviously deliberate. The fact that Western Germany, with the approval of the Allies, is cutting off iron and steel supplies to the Eastern Zone on the ground that the East is not fulfilling its part of the inter-zonal contracts may or may not improve the situation ; decisive action sometimes does. But Western Germany needs to mend her ways in various respects. Nazi manifestations such as they are must be dealt with not by the Allies but by Germans themselves, and it is well that Germans should be reminded of their duty. Talk like Dr. Dehler's at Hamburg, of the iniquities of the Treaty of Versailles
does nothing but harm, and needs to be vigorously repressed. The High Commissioners are in no easy position. Dr. Adenauer's government deserves support. It was fairly and democratically elected and has made a good Parliamentary beginning. Admonitions calculated to diminish the Chancellor's prestige must be avoided as far as possible, but America is compelled to emphasise' her un- willingness to inject money into Germany through Marshall Aid or any other channel while Germany is failing to use her exports as she should for the purchase of food and other necessities. All this Mr. McCloy has no doubt impressed on Dr. Adenauer in private conversation, and as a result Dr. Bliicher, the Vice-Chancellor, is now in Washington to discuss trade and financial possibilities ; the need for Germany to help herself will no doubt be emphasised by the Americans. Meanwhile her early admission to the Council of Europe, already agreed in principle, is very much to be desired.
