Dr. Adenauer's Problems
Dr. Adenaucr is so fully habituated to carrying on in an atmo- sphere of anxiety that the stresses to which he is being subject at this moment need not seem particularly abnormal. None the less the problems demanding solution are unusually numerous. There are relations with East Germany, relations with the Allies over the Occupation Statute and the recognition of debts, relations between the Atlantic Treaty Powers over the German military contribution. While the latter question is complicated by the demands of the Americans and the fears of the French, the one solution that must be ruled out as completely inadmissible is German passivity in face of an invasion from the East countered by the Western Allies on German soil. The German demand for complete equality in an Atlantic Treaty army is incompatible with the limitation of German units to 6,000 men, as the French stipulate. This is a case in which both countries might well be willing to put confidence in the equity and ripe judgement of General Eisenhower, who is fortunately seeing Dr. Adcnauer next week. In spite of the political aspect of the question, military efficiency is the vital issue. The Atlantic Treaty Commander's views regarding that should, if not absolutely decisive, carry dominant weight. Meanwhile, the delayed reply to the overtures of the Russian puppet, Herr Grotewohl, is as firm and well-reasoned as it was expected to be. German unity can only be based on completely free elections in all four zones. From that stipulation Western Germany cannot move ; to that stipulation Eastern Germany shows no signs of consenting ; to consent to it indeed would mean political suicide for East German Communists. What changes time will bring remains to be seen, but the greater the strength and stability of Western Germany the better the hope of ultimate unity.
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