Drastic increase of Ruhr coal and steel production was the indispensable first step to make the Marshall plan for western Europe a working reality. But there were three snags dead ahead: French fear of a revived Germany, lack of capital for Ruhr reconstruction, the British Labor Government's insistence on nationalization, which the U.S. maintains should be deferred. Last week a little progress was reported in clearing these blocks:
ΒΆ French Communists were tirelessly playing on French fear of a strong Germany. But Foreign Minister Georges Bidault, bolstered by a recent vote of confidence, was reportedly willing to discuss a U.S. proposal...
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