THE HOPE OF EUROPE
Reuss, Henry S.
The Hope of Europe by HENRY S. REUSS rPHE PEOPLE'S rejection of Soviet tyranny throughout Middle Europe demonstrates once more that there is no finality to despotism. Neither years of Communist...
...French and British spokesmen have from time to time talked about troop withdrawals and demilitarized zones...
...Our vision of a free Middle Europe should be made known...
...Not only would such a proposal suit the interests of our NATO allies...
...In January, President Eisenhower turned down Prime Minister Bulganin's November 17 offer to negotiate the European question on the basis of mutual troop withdrawals...
...In the Senate, Mike Mansfield of Montana set the framework in a thoughtful speech on January 29...
...Liberty—to free the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe from foreign occupation or domination...
...All this caused headshaking by sober people like General Walter Bedell Smith, who warned that "the so-called policy of liberation is a very tricky and dangerous one...
...stander...
...But what of the captive peoples, who cannot speak up for themselves...
...Such a regional federation, based on the free consent of the people concerned, could ultimately look toward voluntary association in appropriate matters with larger units of the free world...
...But a Western withdrawal to the Rhine, as proposed, would leave us our major air bases, and still provide room for all the U. S. troop strength presently in Europe...
...The responsibilities of world power require that we define our aim, in time and so clearly that all men may paste it in their hats...
...First, how will it serve the national interest of this country...
...This Middle European goal of national freedom, of language, customs, and cultures, coupled with an international look to defense and economics, would surely be embraced by the democratically elected representatives of these peoples as soon as they have the power to speak...
...The one great lesson of Hungary's agony is that the spirit of human liberty seems able to continue even through 1984...
...It would minimize the threat of atomic war, which Russia should want no more than we...
...Life—to bring an end to the threat of war in Central and Eastern Europe...
...In January, 1953, Mr...
...Contrarily, in World War II, the Allies' failure to announce a policy for postwar Germany other than the negative policy of "unconditional surrender" was, in the words of Hanson Baldwin, "the biggest political mistake of World War II . .. it discouraged opposition to Hitler, probably lengthened the war, cost us lives, and helped to lead to the present abortive peace...
...It does not ask for a Germany that is neutral, or one that could not align itself with a continuing NATO to the extent of its restricted military abilities...
...But national freedom alone—Wilson's "self-determination"—is now recognized as a will-of-the-wisp...
...If all can share in the economic benefits, it is no longer so necessary to national pride that each country seek to expand its boundaries...
...In fact, the relaxation of tensions seems a much more immediate need to the Western Europeans than to us, insulated to some extent by the Atlantic...
...At his December 18 press conference, Secretary Dulles denied that this country was contemplating negotiation for the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Central Europe...
...Dulles said he "would use the Voice of America to help stir discontent and to let the Poles, Czechs and others know that they have this country's support," and talked encouragingly of "air drops to aid such peoples...
...Big talk about "liberation by air drop" died last November 4, with the pathetic unanswered SOS for Western help from the free Hungarian radio...
...The states of Middle Europe in an atomic world cannot possibly revert to 1919 nationalism in a military or economic sense...
...Simultaneously, the State Department let it be known that the captive nations must not go too far too fast toward freedom...
...Neither years of Communist indoctrination nor the use of Soviet tanks and bayonets have succeeded in keeping the captive peoples immobile...
...It is thus not identified with either the position of the German Social Democrats or with that of Chancellor Adenauer's Christian Democrats...
...Finally, we must ask whether Russia would accept such a proposal...
...John D. Dingell, Torbert H. MacDonald, Eugene J. McCarthy, Henry S. Reuss, George M. Rhodes, Peter W. Rodono, Jr., James Roosevelt, B. F. Slsk Frank Thompson, Jr...
...Brute military force is the single most important factor behind Soviet control...
...instead...
...Demilitarization of the area with security guarantees from East and West is no longer anathema to nations which could defend themselves »nly for minutes under modern armed attack...
...And that means economic integration, free movement of goods and people, and the steady development of regional institutions —stimulated if need be by Western economic aid...
...For once known, it can begin to mold events —by encouraging the captive peoples, and by giving the Russians an alternative...
...The Eisenhower Administration's refusal to propose a negotiation, so far as it stems from fear of undermining the Chancellor's campaign for re-election, seems misguided...
...Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points, by presenting the Allies' blueprint for a future world order, did much to counteract the spurious Bolshevik peace offensive of 1918 and to halt the march of Communism...
...Such a policy rejects the role both of saberHENRY S. REUSS, Congressman from Milwaukee's Fifth Congressional District, Is one of the leaders of a group of Democratic members of the House contending for a more creative American foreign policy...
...Second, a Russian aggression would have to start, not from East Berlin or Mecklenberg or Thuringia as at present, but from hundreds of miles east, on Russia's own border...
...First, a general settlement would reduce the present tensions which might lead to Russian aggression...
...Moreover, the Oder-Neisse problem, if unresolved, would continue to haunt prospects for peace generally...
...A Russian troop withdrawal would obviously require as its price a somewhat parallel Allied withdrawal...
...Even within Russia, the post-Stalin collective leadership has not been able to silence the inquiring minds of the youth which it has gone to such pains to educate...
...And surely the proposal answers the real Russian need...
...Since war has rightly been excluded as a method of attaining this object, and since do-nothingism will do nothing, a proposal for negotiation is essential...
...The times cry for a fresh policy, but the Administration sits idle, afraid to seize the moment...
...It is true that until recently Chancellor Adenauer admitted no possibility of discussing the question of "thinning out" of troops...
...The 1952 Republican platform promised to replace the Democrats' "negative, futile, and immoral policy of containment" by a program which would "set up strains and stresses within the captive world...
...When the Polish workers issued their manifesto at Poznan and asked for withdrawal of Russian troops, they sought not reincarnated Polish forces but forces of the U.N...
...Even in Germany—if my impression from recent conversations with dozens of German visitors is accurate—there is strong sentiment that cuts across right, middle, and left that Germany's best chance of greatness lies in peaceful statesmanship, not armed might...
...The exact measure of the price is subject to much debate...
...Just as now, a violation of its pledge by Russia could be the subject of retaliation by the West—but with two important differences...
...The satellites, once thought firmly in the Kremlin's grip, have shown they are ready to turn their guns east, not west...
...Until we try, no man can tell...
...In return for getting out of the badly sagging satellites—and gaining a little reputation for good behavior among its slipping Afro-Asian clientele in the bargain—Russia would get assurance against what she considers to be the military threat of a rearmed Middle Europe, including Germany...
...As for staying out, there would be guarantees by NATO on the one hand and Russia on the other of the security of the demilitarized areas, including Germany...
...There is considerable evidence that their leaders recognize this, and are willing to act on it if we give them a chance and let them know that the subject is not out of bounds for discussion...
...As for getting out, you don't have to trust them: unless they get out, no cigars...
...It is important to consider the question of German reunification and liberation of the satellites together...
...Whoever has fought to conquer Middle Europe in the past has found that the spirit for freedom of its people can never be shaken, that their individualism is a passionate belief...
...gional federation and economic integration in . Central and Eastern Europe...
...This assurance could be made even stronger if it were back-stopped by a reciprocal ground and air inspection system for the demilitarized areas, and if a European security treaty were adopted by both East and West...
...Dulles, and the security police, their peace of mind restored, resumed their activities...
...How does it serve their interests, and what view are they likely to take of it...
...An Oder-Neisse compromise would be a lot easier if set in the framework of a Middle Europe in which nationalism is played down...
...Let us look at the effect of such a proposal upon the United States, upon our NATO allies, including Western Germany, upon the captive nations, and finally upon Russia herself...
...Our interest with respect to Eastern Europe and even the Soviet Union itself is not merely in the tearing down of tyranny . . . Our fundamental interest is in the building up of stable, responsible, and humane governments—peaceful governments —which can take their rightful place in a peaceful Europe and in a world at peace...
...In any event, the position of government and opposition in Germany has moved much closer on the issue of a negotiated reunification...
...In December, Senator Hubert Humphrey had called for "more detailed discussions on the establishment of a demilitarized zone...
...Reuss served as deputy general counsel of the Marshall Plan In Europe in 1949...
...rattler and of dazed and passive by...
...A demilitarized Finland has succeeded in preserving its national sovereignty in spite of its location next to the Soviet Union...
...The Pursuit of Happiness—to hasten the economic and social progress of the liberated areas, and to provide an alternative to the old nationalistic rivalries for territory and resources...
...Just as a Middle European nation cannot be self-sufficient in defense, it cannot be self-sufficient in economic life...
...Within a few days, on November 14, President Eisenhower was saying "But I must make one thing clear: the United States does not now and never has advocated open rebellion by an undefended populace against a force against which they could not possibly prevail...
...These new elements—independent thought in Russia and weakness in the satellites—may induce a breakthrough of a new Russian leadership if a sense-making proposal were presented...
...Meanwhile, there is emerging from the Democratic side of Congress the outline of what a responsible opposition is supposed to produce: an alternative policy...
...and at the same time to guard against the rebirth of totalitarianism from any quarter...
...Newspaper advertisements depicted a uniformed General Eisenhower swearing "upon my honor, as a fighter for freedom, before God, I will work for liberation...
...The proposal asks for a united Germany restricted to defensive armaments, as a first step toward world disarmament...
...In view of the proposed shrinking of NATO ground forces in Europe in any event, it seems short-sighted to allow them to be depleted without at least attempting to get something in exchange for the depletion...
...Before another such opportunity presents itself, a new Stalin may arise, and it will be too late...
...If the ultimate order for a free Middle Europe is to embrace economic integration and federation, it should be possible to find a solution for these territories—perhaps by a division between Poland and Germany, perhaps as an autonomous member of some larger federation...
...They have already spoken, most eloquently, in the streets of Budapest...
...The specter of a Germany, divided or reunited with unrestricted armaments, deeply troubles Britain, France, and other European countries which remember vividly the two recent world wars...
...The guarantees of human rights in the liberated states would be guarantees against Iron Guardist tyranny as well as against Communist tyranny...
...Nothing about Middle Europe is stationary, in fact, except the position of the United States government...
...But suppose Russia rejects such a proposal...
...Now, what of the reaction of our NATO allies to the proposal...
...Unless a basis for settling the Oder-Neisse territorial question between Germany and Poland is presented as part of a Central European settlement, Poland might oppose a pull-back of the Red Army because she feared future designs on the territory by a reunited and possibly rearmed Germany...
...A road toward that goal: creation of a demilitarized area, without the capacity to make aggressive war, for 1,000 miles from the Rhine to Russia's historic boundaries, with the demilitarization and the security of the area guaranteed by East and West...
...A road toward that goal: encouraging (by such steps as economic aid under international auspices) re•Hugh J. Addonfzio, Thomas L. Ashley, Charles A. Boyle...
...But the time seems ripe...
...And a group of 12 Democrats in the House* had written the President suggesting some concrete goals for U. S. policy in revolution-torn Middle Europe, based on our own revolutionary ideals of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: "1...
...To secure the withdrawal of Russia's troops to her own borders would at one stroke remove the greatest daily threat of atomic war and rescue an area which is essential to Communist plans for world domination...
...Such approval as you find for German rearmament is often couched in the statement, "America wants German rearmament, so we go along...
...America cannot remain silent on the kind of Middle Europe we want to see emerge from the long nightmare of Communism...
...For instance, adherence to the Council of Europe could help lead toward an ultimate political and economic unification of Europe that would revive the dream of Dante...
...Whether because of a guilt-complex stemming from the bankruptcy of its own "liberation by air drop" talk, or from a general lack of creative imagination, the Administration remains immobile on the Middle Europe question...
...to confirm their right to free elections, free speech, free worship, the civil liberties, protection for minorities...
...It is a rare German who would assert publicly that reunification in freedom and Russian troop withdrawal would not be a good trade for a self-imposed arms restriction...
...A workable solution must protect the great cultural heritages of Poles and Czechs, Hungarians and Slovaks by supporting them in a going economy...
...Thus our great object must be to rid mid-Europe of Russian soldiery...
...But how can you trust the Russians...
...A road toward that goal: embedding these human rights in the constitutions of the liberated states, with an international guarantee of their preservation...
...On hearing this, according to the London Economist's Hungarian correspondent, "the people of Budapest cursed Mr...
...And economic internationalism in Middle Europe would insure Russia of a trading area very much in her interest...
...For years the Administration has talked loudly of liberation...
...It was pressure and negotiation, after all, which got the Russians out of Iran in 1946 and broke the Berlin blockade in 1949...
...But recently he has changed his mind, at least until the elections next September...
...Still, we are vastly ahead for placing it on the record...
...And in March the Administration let the U. N. General Assembly session run out without attempting to add to its agenda the question of the threat to world peace posed by ferment in the satellites...
...Indeed, the proposal has such real advantages for Russia's legitimate interest that we need to remind ourselves that our primary abjective is not making things difficult for Russia but producing a peaceful world...
Vol. 21 • April 1957 • No. 4
