DELAY IN BRUSSELS
over the vital question of temperate foodstuffs, As for political opposition to this country's and the delay imposed by the French negotiators entry into Europe, this has proved itself to be is not likely to win much sympathy from their something of a paper tiger over the last few European partners. Even supposing that Presi- weeks, and there now seems to be less danger dent de Gaulle should wish to do so, it does not that the anti-Marketeers in the Conservative seem probable that he could delay the course of Party will gain support as time goes on. No the negotiations for long when they are resumed. doubt, the tabling last week of a motion which
In fact, it is doubtful whether the rather un- revealed their weakness was something of a tac- scrupulous negotiating tactics of the French dele- tical error, and their showing in the Commons de- gation in Brussels have genuinely served the in- terests of their country. France has so far been All in all, it appears that two months' delay in bate was a poor one from every point of view. getting the vue d'ensemble will do the Govern-
saved from some of the international conse- ment no serious harm and may turn out to have quences of President de Gaulle's policy of splen- unsuspected advantages. At least, nobody can did intransigence by the support it has received now say that we are rushing into Europe. By from its European associates, above all from Ger- October negotiations will have gone on for nearly many. Now, with Dr. Adenauer losing his stranglehold on the policy of his government and a year.
THERE is no denying that the delay in the with European opinion deeply disturbed at the I negotiations for Britain's entry into the Com- possibility of a breakdown in Brussels, this sup- mon Market must come as something of a dis- port is being removed, and France is likely to appointment to anyone who had hoped that this have to pay a considerable price in future inter- protracted and exhausting round of bargaining national negotiations for the odium which M. would be . over by mid-August. It would have Couve de Murville and his colleagues have in- been agreeable to have had the vue d'ensemble curred in Brussels. In Paris the Gaullist attitude ready in time for the Commonwealth Prime towards Europe is already under heavy attack, Ministers and a special session of Parliament. and this can only be increased by the events of And it is certainly tiresome to be subjected to the last Saturday night.
vociferous relief of the anti-Marketeers on being Here at home Mr. Macmillan may not be as
afforded a new lease of life. embarrassed by the delay as might at first have However, events in Brussels should not be been expected. Enough has emerged from the
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