Badgering Britain
Sut,—In your article Badgering Britain you do not mention M. Spaak's patience over the last few years_ Because he feared Britain would not come into a European federation he did all he could to stem the enthusiasm of federalists. He reiterated, in conjunction with federalists and non-federalists alike, that special arrangements would have to be made for Britain and the Commonwealth. Nor did you mention the fact that the Conservatives always gave the impression, not entirely accepted by federalists, that they would be far more active in support of real European unity than the previous Government. No one ever doubts Britain's right to form her own policy ; and let it be remembered that federation can come about only by the consent of the people federating. But Britain's policy, like that of all countries today, is largely decided by events outside her control, as General Eisenhower pointed out in Rome when he said: " Whether we like it or not, our ancient idea of sovereignty has been impinged upon and modified by world conditions. This does not mean that the cure is necessarily in
Conceding sovereignty tosany group or supra-national structure, but certainly it does indicate a pooling of a portion of our sovereignty and, by pooling, regain the strength to perform for each of us the functions for which each government was set up."
You rightly say there are wider issues than those of Europe, and Britain has correctly maintained that it is useless merely to agree to ban the atom bomb, and that there must be control of it. But this basic problem of accepting mere agreement or the recognition of a supra- national authority, which the control of atomic energy implies, is the same as the basic problem inherent in the establishment of a Europe 4.n Army. Britain says she will be closely allied to a European Army, but that can never be the same as being a part of it and of the political authority above it, which is the only democratic corollary to it. The continent of Europe has learnt how ineffective alliances can be, and Mr. Churchill realised this when he offered union to France in 1940,
although we already had an alliance with her. -
In Britain's support for control of atomic energy, we are supporting the rule of law which all are agreed is the only method of maintaining peace within any area, but.in our refusal to join any European or Atlantic Federation we are refusing to accede to the principle which we say other countries should accept.—Yours very truly, J. KEITH K1LLBY,
20 Buckingham Street, W.C.2. Secretary, Federal Union.
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