Stranica 5 [5]
f
: KeAe2e November 52.
- page five ¬
nations. They explain it by the fact that Luxembourg, being the smallest.
has the least number of voices in decisions and that, on the other hand,
its economy is more fully involved (its steel production corresponds to
approximately 80% of Luxembourg's economy). The heavy Luxembourg
industry has been used to draw attvantages from free competition on the
European market, without needing protective measures. It fears now that
the Coal and Stell authority might develop a large administrative
bureaucracy and policies of trade controls. +his in turn would create
both overhead charges and limitations which = so Luxembourg fears =<
might become harmful in the competition with American producers. In that
case, such detrimental consequences will not eventually stay with coal
and steel alone, but will be felt in other consumption goods - industria’
or agricultural - which Americans can produce at low cost, because they
have a large and already unified domestic market of their own.
With all these considerations in view, Luxembourgers frequentl,
comment with apprehension about the socialist influence within the high
authority of the coal and steel pool. The unexpected election of Mr.
Spaak as president of the Assembly ~ in opposition to Gemany's
christian=—democrat carididate von Brentano = is revealing at their eyes. .
They interpret it as an outward sign that party policies and party
es em at timesstronger in “uropean affairs than national
oe ey fear thát socialist influences might be further strengthe¬
£32 Ene toulá lead then directly towards a harmful policy of strict
trade controls.
In a year hence, Luxembourg itself will have its elections. “hould these
go along the lines to be foreseen today, it would mean that the country's
Premiership and foreign affairs would pass into socialist handse This
again = and Luxembourgers themselves emphasize that point - wuld
increase the socialist positions and policies on the Luropean level.
Luxembourgers feel that a Kuropean economic, political and
defense community - although it feans giving up some of the country's
sovereignity - is as such a stép in the right dircctione It is the road
leading to a larger and united entity that alone can effectively
oppose the dangers of a new invasion from the Hast. The only doubts
expressed are connested with the practical appbication: the groups and
personalities who sill assume leadership and the policies that will be
put forthe
_—_— or