NEWS OF THE WEEK 1 - N a speech full
of political wisdom and discernment, Mr. McCloy, the American High Commissioner in Germany, gave the Pilgrims on Tuesday evening a review of the situation in Germany which both illuminates and disturbs. In language plain and arresting the High Commissioner spoke of the continued and even increasing Russian pressure on Westerp Germany, and in particular on Western Berlin. His reference to the adoption of Nazi methods—mass meetings, an armed police, incitements to youth—was the more signifidant in view of the declared intention of the Communists to -Carry out a mass-march through Berlin on Whit Sunday, a proceeding which can hardly fail to create a critically
• dangerous situation. There will be universal agreement with Mr. McCloy's declaration that neither the Allies nor the German people themselves will yield an inch to such threats, and the declaration may have some effect in the quarter from which the threats emanate. As to Germany as a whole, the High Commissioner is again right in insisting on a twofold policy towards Germany—the repression of activities dangerous to peace and the encouragement of every democratic impulse and institution. Lord Montgomery had said well earlier in the evening that the task was to bring the Germans back, into the . European, community without allowing them to dominate it. That is, in fact, the task, and it is in fact being carried out. Mr. McCloy is anxious to accelerate the process. His develop- ment of the idea of a European community tended to run ahead of realism. The movement is already taking place, but the dis- tinction between natural growth and artificial improvisation must be borne perpetually in mind. The differences between the States even of Western Europe alone, in temper, in tradition, in political practice, in spiritual outlook, are far too deep-seated to be ignored. To force growth unnaturally would be fatal, particularly before Germany has been drawn in.
