740.00119 Control (Germany)/11–2549: Telegram
The United States High Commissioner for Germany (McCloy) to the Secretary of State
priority
50. From political liaison. Following last night’s suspension of Schumacher for 20 Bundestag sessions and SPD absence from session’s end, we have this afternoon and evening had talks with Blankenhorn, Schmid, Gerstenmaier (CDU), Schaeffer (FDP faction leader) and Schumacher to determine probabilities of compromise. Other leaders not available.
Trouble last night arose when SPD understood Adenauer to call them party supporting dismantling although they agree that record now shows he did not say that. Some CDU, however, had same impression. Someone called “are you German Chancellor.” Then Schumacher in heat of moment called Adenauer “Chancellor of Allies.” Koehler, presiding, called him to order, then announced motion to refer to Committee of Elders.
In this meeting it appears Schumacher was ready to apologize, although he now denies it, but an FDP representative said Schumacher was against the wall and this was the time to destroy him politically. That ended compromise. Koehler reconvened session at 6, waited fifteen minutes, sent for SPD, they would not end faction meeting, so [Page 352] session proceeded without them. Committee of Elders met this afternoon at 3 but made no progress toward settlement.
Majority of those interviewed believe it too early to expect agreement, but several believe that it will be possible after week-end cooling period.
Excepting Schumacher and perhaps FDP, those interviewed agree that last night’s performance was serious reflection on German parliamentary capacity, that its foreign repercussions must be most unfortunate, and that Adenauer’s own course contributed to the result.
We get the definite impression that the rank and file, both CDU and SPD, are critical of their respective leaders and SPD especially is resentful of position Schumacher has put them in. This applies not only to immediate situation but also to policy of complete opposition.
Nevertheless, coalition action has now forced SPD faction to support Schumacher, at least publicly. In addition, they feel that Adenauer is putting personal government over on them and ignoring Parliament and indeed Constitution. They say Constitution requires accession to Ruhr agreement and to bilateral agreement to take form of Bundestag law which might have consisted of one sentence.
Accordingly SPD faction this afternoon issued press statement that Koehler had let Adenauer insult to SPD pass unrebuked, then called Schumacher to order for his insult, and then contrary to the rules imposed a second penalty (reference to Committee of Elders). Adenauer’s and Schumacher’s words must be taken as a whole, not separately. The coalition has now forged a new link in its plan, illegally to eliminate the opposition. Therefore the SPD declares its political and personal confidence in Schumacher, and faction had intended to absent itself from the Bundestag for the period of Schumacher’s suspension. But Schumacher persuaded them not to do this because of the effect which this course would have on the vital questions coming up. The SPD will therefore conduct the sharpest fight both inside and outside Parliament against the attempt of the government and its parties to abandon parliamentary democracy and to establish an authoritarian regime.
Schumacher in words remains intransigeant and talks about unity of party behind him. At same time, he speaks of probable suspension till June. He also indicated that a mutual withdrawal of insults might be acceptable if made in the order in which given. In other words, Adenauer first. We have some reason to think Schumacher only heard of this idea a little while before we saw him. If so, it indicates Schumacher ready to accept face-saving device.
We [He?] also suggested both sides might ignore insults, but had no answer when we pointed out this would leave him suspended for [Page 353] some months. He spoke of protest action by Ruhr workers. This seems to us unrealistic because of advantage Ruhr miners get out of cessation of dismantling. He also mentioned demonstrations planned for tomorrow in several cities of federal territory.
FDP seems least anxious to make peace. We do not believe this is Schaeffer’s view but he has reactionary members who hate SPD and have no concern except to destroy it. It will probably require strenuous work to get Adenauer in line. In parliamentary sense he knows he has a great victory. Truth is that Adenauer with his age and dictatorial tendencies and Schumacher with his sensitivity and excitability are problem children for their respective parties.
SPD will, among other things, try to make Koehler the scapegoat for the row and displace him on ground he is incompetent and was responsible for situation.
While SPD finds itself in false position due to Schumacher’s lack of control and would like to retrieve itself, there remains a fundamental cleavage which will produce continuing difficulties. Adenauer undoubtedly will by-pass Parliament when he can, and even FDP resents this. He will also take final action himself when he can instead of requesting Bundestag action under Constitution. SPD would not vote for his measures anyway, but this method of handling matters is additional serious irritant.
Schumacher and Schmid both said SPD would not have voted for law for accession to Ruhr Authority because agreement only binds Germany and does not bring other countries under control, and because Germany should have tried to bargain and get changes in her interest. On the other hand, SPD might have voted for law authorizing bilateral agreement, depending on its review of contents of the agreement. It has no basic position against the bilateral agreement.
To summarize, we think this particular fight will be smoothed over, but the serious implications are, first, foreign reaction, and second, failure to settle differences over respect for Parliament and Constitution. We suggest serious consideration of approach to Adenauer pointing out relation between his present and prospective course and his undertaking to advance democratic and anti-authoritarian government.
Summary of Adenauer press conference dispatched in separate cable.1
Sent Frankfort 52 for Lightner; repeated Department 50, London 22 for McCloy, Berlin 17 for Wendelin.
- Telegram 51, November 25, from Bonn, not printed (862.001/11–2549).↩