Briand for President?

INTERNATIONAL

Briand for President?

Of the 26 nations to whom French Foreign Minister Aristide Briand submitted his scheme for a European Union or "United States of Europe" (TIME, May 26), 24 had replied last week, including all the Great Powers concerned. In examining these replies observers noted first the great modifications in the plan made by M. Briand himself. Originally he called it the "United States of Europe," and an impression was general that around this European federation would be built a tariff wall against the U. S. Before submitting his plan for general consideration however, M. Briand changed its name to The European Union, then gave this a diplomatic instead of an economic twist by proposing that the "E. U." consist primarily of a council & secretariat similar to those of the League of Nations.

Germans for Revision. Apropos the German Government's reply last week the Cologne Gazette hailed M. Briand's idea ironically, prophesying that although the last thing France wants is revision of the Peace Treaties, nevertheless the European Union may lead to this. In his official reply Foreign Minister Dr. Julius Curtius began by saying that, "No other state experiences in equal measure as does Germany the defects in the existing structure of Europe." Declaring the situation created by the Peace Treaties "untenable," he called for "courageous reform" (i.e. revision) as a necessary prelude to formation of the European Union.

On the issue of whether the E. U. should be primarily economic or political. Dr. Curtius had this to say: "The French Gov- ernment stresses the necessity of approaching European problems from the political side, leaving economic issues to be dealt with after certain political prerequisites have been fulfilled." The German Government considers economic issues paramount, holds that "it remains the task of Governments to bring their joint economic policies into harmony." Clearly the German reply harked back to the original idea of an European tariff consortium.

Italy for Russia. Making things as difficult as possible for the French Foreign Minister, the reply of Signor Benito Mussolini urged that Russia and Turkey (whom M. Briand had not invited to his party) must be included in any European Union worthy of the name.

Il Duce also urged that the defeated "enemy countries" (Germany, Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria) should enter the E. U. on "equal terms" with the victor states-- that is, these nations should be permitted to re-establish their armies. This reply ranged Italy beside Germany in seeking revision of the Peace Treaties--a policy anathema to France. In Moscow the Soviet newsorgan Pravda, while appreciative of Italy's attempt to include Russia in the E. U., declared that, in view of the program of revision which Germany and Italy are seeking to force upon unwilling France, "the Briand scheme may be considered exploded."

British Bricks. More suave than any other reply, that of the British Foreign Office began by informing M. Briand that his "proposals" have been "examined with profound interest." Next "fullest sympathy" was expressed for "closer economic cooperation" which was more heavily stressed in the original "United States of Europe" than it is today. Finally, however, the British landed like a ton of paving stones from Trafalgar Square upon the European Union because of its resem- blance to the League of Nations.

Bluntly the British asked: why is the present League not sufficient, why are another council & secretariat needed? (The underlying reason is, of course, that the French think they could dominate a European league, whereas the worldwide League of Nations has proved too big for them to swing.) Unable to see any necessity for a second League from their point of view, the British objected that it might "emphasize or create tendencies to inter-continental rivalries and hostilities." Finally, in the strongest terms one friendly nation can use to another, the British note voiced fear that, if the European Union is established, "the wider interests both of Europe and of the world may be seriously endangered." Instead of forming a European Union, concluded His Majesty's Government, why not merely appoint a "European Committee" of the present League of Nations?

In Paris last week the somewhat crushing replies of Germany, Italy and Britain merely caused elastic M. Briand to bounce with animation, like the big and roly-poly diplomatic rubber ball that he is. Professing to be "greatly encouraged" that all the Powers except Britain profess "eagerness" to continue discussion of his scheme, he showed reporters a sheaf of 100% favorable replies from such French satellites as Poland. Czechoslovakia and Jugoslavia. Significance. The game of debating the European Union will go on for years, with Aristide Briand as Perpetual Toastmaster. The kudos he will gain as the apostle of Peace may prove of great value when it comes time--next year--to elect a President of France. That shrewd and shaggy B'rer Briand is grooming himself for election as President of France everyone in Paris now knows for sure.

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