I spent a couple of days reconnoitring in Bonn before
the conference began. Certainly the pros- perity of Western Germany is great and is still growing,. if rather more slowly because of the acute shortage of manpower. But the increased strength of the country does not seem to have Produced any appreciable growth in political confidence. either internally or in relation to the outside world. The somewhat sceptically-held hope that Dr. Adenauer will indeed go is balanced by a fear of the consequences, and yet there does not seem to be an energetic movement to try to find solutions to the political dilemma. The general delight over the reconciliation with France is balanced by a dread of the conse- Tlences of General de Gaulle's notions about urope's place in the world and France's place in Europe, and yet there is no evidence of any will to exercise any really effective influence against him. Politicians of all parties, and officials, speak freely in private of their doubts arid dreads, and give the impression that Chan- lot Adenauer is the only man in the Federal ePUbliC who does not realise that there is a pro- tf_ound contradiction in Germany's position; yet .heY are so hypnotised both by the dilemma and :Y the very idea of choice that they cannot bear avrie: to look at the fact that they do have power influence and might well be able to say more than a mild boo to de Gaulle without precipitat- ing disaster.
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