Blueprint for Europe

Victory and Winston Churchill will make the Conservative Party an odds-on favorite to win Government power in postwar Britain. Last week, top Conservatives who will probably wield that power put on the record their aims for postwar Europe.

Prime Minister Churchill told the House of Commons that he wanted a "close, cordial and lasting association" with Soviet Russia; an Italy restored to its "rightful place among the free democracies";*a thoroughly devitalized and demilitarized Germany (see above); "a strong France and a strong French Army."

Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden told the House that he sought "the closest collaboration with the Soviet Government"; that Allied Military Government "is not intended to be permanent"; that AMG's work should be handed over to democratic forces as soon as possible.

Ambassador to Spain Sir Samuel Hoare, extreme right-wing Tory, told his Chelsea constituency: "The danger to Europe is not Russian influence but Russian isolation." The Ambassador representing British policy to Spain's Russia-hating Francisco Franco also said that "fearful souls" should understand that "Communism . . . is a national, not an international product," pointedly advised that those who fear Communism "should so put your house in order that your social and political conditions will silence any demand for its introduction."

Turning to British destiny in Europe, Sir Samuel said: "Having achieved [military strength] we do not intend to abandon it ... it is the guarantee of British victory. Tomorrow it must be the safeguard of European stability."

*Meanwhile, he said Italian liberals and left-wingers should support the King and Badoglio.

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