Ext 6116/46(S) 'Secret Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries, nos 356-416, August 1946-November 1947' [‎61r] (121/978)

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parties supporting economic union. (In
1935 95 per cent, of the electorate voted to
return to Germany). The Christian
People's Party gained 51-17 per cent, of
the votes and 28 seats; Socialist Party of
the Saar 32-78 per cent., 17 seats; Com-
g^iunists 8-43 per cent., 2 seats; Democrats
< - 62 per cent., 3 seats. All parties show
gains over their figures at the Communal
election of 1946 except the Communists
who retain a remarkable steady level.
Discrepancies between the proportion of
seats and votes gained are presumably to
be explained by the division of the area into
three separate constituencies, surplus votes
not being transferable to a central pool.
The first task of the new Assembly is to
approve the Draft Constitution prepared
by a German all-party Committee and
French representatives. Despite Com
munist objections, the Constitution is not
being submitted to a referendum as in the
other States of the French zone. The
Draft states that the Saar is “an autono
mous, democratic and socially ordered land,
economically joined to France.” Diplo
matic representation abroad and military
protection are provided by France. On the
other hand Saarlanders are not liable for
compulsory service in the French Army,
and the German language and culture will
be fostered in schools. To avoid any
anticipation of international decisions on
the Saar a French Foreign Office spokes
man gave an assurance on the 2nd October
that the constitution would only be valid
“ within the framework of the inter
national status to be discussed at the
Council of Foreign Ministers.” The
Governor of the Saar, Col. Grandval,
broadcast on the eve of the election,
although he claimed that he w T as not trying
to influence the results. He painted,
however, a cheerful picture. France would
not try to enforce political union, but she
would give generous help in reconstruction.
With the introduction of the French franc
would come French prices but also French
wages. He forecast a far-reaching change
in the denazification system. On the 5th
October he also told reporters that he
favoured socialising some of the Saar steel
works.
Polling passed off quietly, and only four
posters and no leaflets were allowed during
the campaign. The sole “ incident ” was
an attempt by the Movement for Political
Union with France (supported by many
Socialists) to disturb Communist speakers.
There was, however, a good deal of indig
nation off-stage. The Socialist Unity
Party appealed for a Communist vote, and
the whole Anti-Fascist Bloc in the Soviet
zone declared its opposition to economic
union and demanded a plebiscite. Within
the Saar the Communists complained that
they had suffered unfair discrimination in
the election fight. Protests were also made
by some Socialists against the electoral rule
which disfranchised those who entered
the Saar after January 1933. A writer The lowest of the four classes into which East India Company civil servants were divided. A Writer’s duties originally consisted mostly of copying documents and book-keeping. in
the Saarbruecker Zeitung, an ardent
upholder of French policy, indignantly
denied that the Socialists were threatening
to boycott the election, but this was in fact
contemplated by the small group within the
party under the Secretary-General, Herr
Roth, which owes allegiance to Dr.
Schumacher. French Military Government
denied allegations that 50-60.000 people
were disfranchised by the electoral ruling
and put the figure at 7,000. The Bishop of
Trier has been the only other figure of
note to campaign against union, but it is
not known whether he will continue his
opposition. In any case his campaign has
had no effect. On the whole the conduct
of these elections makes it likely that the
transfer of the Saar, for which the path
has now been thoroughly prepared, will
take place without serious disturbances.
AUSTRIA
In the course of 79 meetings between the
12th May and the 3rd October, the Austrian
Treaty Commission has not reached agree
ment on any one of the disputed Treaty
Articles and has thus failed to achieve the
purpose for which it was constituted. It
is now compiling its Report for the Council
of Foreign Ministers. Jt has been agreed
that this is to consist simply of a covering
statement and an annexe setting out the
unagreed Articles in their latest form.
The Soviet Government have agreed that
the Council of Foreign Ministers shall meet
on the 25th November and the Deputies on
the 6th November.
The course of the Commission’s discus
sions has revealed considerable solidarity
in the viewpoints of the United Kingdom
and United States Delegations, from whom
the French have not substantially differed;
the Soviet Delegation has shown a con
sistent unwillingness to deviate from the
Soviet line at the Moscow Conference. It
has become increasingly evident that, in
spite of often far-reaching efforts by the