The Saar Problem Herr Friedlaender observed that the failure of
the recent talks on the Saar had been disappointing. Dr. Adenauer said : " The way to a' United Europe is full of obstacles. The Saar problem is one of the obstacles, and a difficult one; but it can be overcome by goodwill." He had, he said, written to M. Schuman on October 16th, trying to clarify some of the chief points, and stating that a final decision on the status of the Saar - must follow the peace treaty. Until then it was necessary to avoid all questions that would lead to conflict. He had proposed to M. Schuman that they should begin with 'practical matters, and, have a con- ference of 'practical people to discuss trade questions in the interests of everyone including France. When Herr Fried- laender suggested that France's great need was to buy Saar_ coal with her own currency and sell provisions from Lorraine to the Saar, Dr. Adenauer agreed that these were the chief French demands, and said that Germany, too, had trade interests in the Saar; but that it was better to discuss practical details rather than general principles. Although the last dis- cussions with France on the Saar had failed, France and Germany had gone a long way in agreement—on a European statute for the Saar on which the Saar peoples themselves should freely decide. As for further conversations with France, be was waiting, as he had said, to hear from M. Schuman.
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