Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1963
University Daily Kansan
Page 5
US Support Needed In Germany
The United States may endanger the Erhard government if it fails to support German reunification, a visiting German professor of political science told a University Lecture audience last night.
PROF. BESSON SAID there has been a feeling that Germany could not get along without Adenauer, since the country has been controlled by Adenauer's one-man "chancellor democracy" since 1949.
The speaker was Waldemar Besson, of the University of Erlangen, Germany. His topic was "The Bonn Republic of Konrad Adenauer—The End of an Era."
The alternative is that French President De Gaulle will become an extremely tempting figure to whom the German fancy may well turn.
Adenauer himself had felt that he was indispensable to the German government hence he remained too long as chancellor, Prof. Besson said.
"Adenauer's party (the United Christian Democrats) is a party of successes. That is, it is not the kind of party which had been found in Germany in previous years. The party grew through a series of successes, not because it represented any particular idea."
Two things have inflicted severe damage upon Adenauer's party, Prof. Besson said: East and West Germany are not yet unified, and Adenauer's party has taken no active steps to secure unification.
"I don't think the government of the United States has sensed the growing feeling among the German people that unification should be sought quickly," he said.
"On the other hand. De Gaulle is very well aware of this feeling in
Germany. He advocates unification and is, therefore, a logical person to attract the German people's fancy.
PROF. BESSON SAID Germany is at a turning point where it will no longer accept the status quo position Adenaera held so long.
"De Gaulle is not a funny figure," Prof. Besson added. "He is not a dreamer or a romantic. He is interested in forming a continental European power. He appeals to the German people through his praise of German power."
"If the United States cannot convince the German people that the interests of America and Germany are the same, the German people may well turn to De Gaulle and join in his plans for a European power. If this happens, the present form of government in Germany will come to an end."
KU DIDNT HAVE ANY FOOTball all-America until 1947. Ray Evans, halfback, and Otto Schnellbacher, end, were selected for the honor that year.
DOES GOD UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?
Is the Curia kaput? Will deacons be allowed to marry? How does this council differ from Pope John's Ecumenical Council? Will scientific advancement change the Church's stand on birth control? Will Catholics and Protestants marry without signing promises? Will the Church really change?
Fr. James Blumeyer, S.J., Fr. David Schmidt, S.J., Fr. James Finnerty, S.J., all of St. Mary College, St. Mary, Kansas will hold a panel discussion on "Vatican II: Second Spring," the revolutionary changes emerging from the Ecumenical Council.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
8:00 p.m.
FORUM ROOM
UNION
When You're In Doubt, Try It Out—Kansan Classified