International: Not Half Measures

The West Germans grumped about the impasse in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization over German rearmament: “. . . Strengthens the unrest in Germany and gives nourishment [to the Communists],” complained Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. NATO’s indecision also encouraged some politicking by Adenauer’s chief rival, Socialist Boss Kurt Schumacher, who demanded guarantees of German security before Germany contributed to West Europe’s defense.

U.S. High Commissioner John J. McCloy felt last week that it was time for Americans to say a word or two. In the High Commission’s German-language Neue Zeitung appeared a blunt statement of the High Commission’s views. It was addressed both to the Germans and the intransigent French:

“The American people . . . will make no efforts for a common defense unless their [European] partners value their freedom so high that they are willing to exert all their forces. Obviously, the U.S. will invest strong forces in Germany only if the Germans themselves participate in the defense of their country . . .

“The American people are beginning to wonder whether Germany really prefers freedom to oppression when they read such statements as these recently made here—that ‘the German people are being misused by Occupation Powers’ and ‘we prefer healthy people bolshevized in undamaged houses rather than cripples in foxholes . . .’

“The facts today demand determined and decisive action, whole measures and not half measures . . .”