Oldal 1 [1]
X.A.No. 14 for Nevember 1952.
THE WORLD AS SEEN FROM BONN.
The rapid emergence of Germany as a great pewer during the
first part of this year, has made ef Benn one of the most dynamic
centers of the Centinent. Compared te Benn, Paris and London seem
today to be sleepy, by-passed tewns. This is net enly due te the
great movement ef foreign ebservers, military and political persens,
as well as international statesmen. It is alse due, at least in part,
to an eptical illusion favourable te the town : in a town the size
ef Paris or London most things get somehow lest 3; in Benn, a small
town with few gevernemental facilities, few Hetels, few residences,
everything id very obvious indeed, and hence is likely te attwaet widest
attention. But even with this eonsideratien in mind, the ebserver in
Sonn gains the impression that here is today one of the main focal
points ef European policies. Being the eenter of German demestie
affairs - and t.ese affairs are today the cencern of the world ¬
it becomes by necessity one of the mest important places te watch.
Hence, besides every German ef importance, the ebserver will meet
a large and well trained American, British and Freneh personnell,
plus a first elass group ef men whe are trying, with mere er less
success, te defend and represent the interests ef the USSR. Ths
latter group is the more interesting, since it represents fairly
accurately the latest political trends and plans ef the Kremlin.
In domestic German affairs the situation is tense, since
general elections are due late next spring. The battle, which will
be of the greatest consequence,is already casting its shadews ahead.
It is leading to bitterness, strife qnd a radicalization in beth
parties, since the importance of the battle is enermous. It yill
have a decisive impaet en all phases ef German life, the eceuntry's
economic structure, foreien policy as well as the all -impertant
interpretation te be given te the German censtitution. Since the
stakes are thus very high indeed, the battle promises te be very
bitter and hard-fought.
The situation is simplifyed by the fact, that the froent¬
lines are elearly drawn. There is on the one hand the gevernement
Front, headed by Chancellor Adenauer and supported by the Christian
Demoeratie Union, the Bavarian Christian Seeial Unien, the Libe¬
ral Free Democratie Party, the Menarchist-Censervative German Party
and enjeying the sympathy ef the Bavarian Party, a regional ergani¬
gatien. The ether line is headed by the new Socialist leader Ollen¬
hauer and includes the German Socialist Party plus the efficial
thas e wig j
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eal ST aera eter a nS ERs ~~