"Our Main Purpose"

The German people knew that U.S. High Commissioner John J. McCloy had recently gone home to discuss Germany's problems with U.S. officials. They did not know that he would return to Germany with an important policy statement.

This week in Stuttgart, McCloy spoke before an audience of 1,400 at the opening of a new Amerika-Haus. His speech was a milestone in the development of the U.S. attitude toward Germany. Said McCloy:

"No one ... is charging the Germans with the responsibility for Hitler's crimes . . . No one demands a beating of the breasts or a scene at Canossa.* But what I do expect is an end to the arguments of those Germans who would not only deny their own guilt, but also seek to place the responsibility for the consequences of that guilt exclusively upon the shortcomings of other peoples ... I want you to know that such utterances . . . call to mind what people are now disposed to forget, that is, the amazing docility and acquiescence of the greater part of the German population toward Nazi outrages."

After this blunt reference to recent statements by German leaders in the dispute with France over the Saarland (TIME, Feb. 6), McCloy said: "Agitation of foreign issues, however tempting, cannot distract attention from vital domestic issues and from the pressing need for domestic reforms.

"We Americans are not here exclusively to feed the German people and promote economic recovery . . . Our main purpose is to help Germany achieve political recovery . . . That is my answer to those who occasionally say that we have no right to mix in the political problems confronting this country."

McCloy's policy program was presented in nine points:

1) Germany should be politically integrated into a free Europe.

2) Germany should "share fully in free Europe's economic benefits and correspondingly assume its obligations."

3) "There will be no German army or air force"; German security is to be protected by cooperation with the rest of Western Europe.

4) "The German people, subject to the foregoing considerations, should have the widest freedom . . ."

5) The U.S. is opposed to the resurgence of those ultranationalistic or anti-democratic forces which might threaten the peace of Europe.

6) "All constructive efforts to help toward the goal of the unification of Germany on a democratic and federal basis will be made."

7) The U.S. will continue to aid Berlin.

8) The U.S. intends to foster free trade through "decartelization, and deconcentration of industry."

9) The U.S. will see that property confiscated because of "Nazi racial and political discrimination" will be either returned or compensated for.

"Germany can readily acquire a position in the world by giving the sign of a regenerated spirit . . . We will work with and support the efforts of those who honestly and sincerely seek to accomplish that purpose. On the other hand, we shall not hesitate to use all our power and influence to expose and counteract any subversive influences which condone or encourage the revival of Naziism in German life."

* A reference to the story of the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, who had been excommunicated for defying the authority of Pope Gregory VII. Henry went as a penitent to Canossa, where the Pope was staying, stood barefoot in the snow outside the castle for three days, until Gregory relented.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.