Foreign News: The Hard Bargainer

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In the afternoon, the ministers of the 14 NATO powers gathered. "As a matter of courtesy" they invited Chancellor Adenauer to attend the session as an observer. While Adenauer watched silently from a corner of the table, the council swiftly ground through its business. It approved a protocol inviting West Germany to join NATO and a resolution giving the Supreme Allied Commander Europe added powers to station troops and establish supply bases wherever he chose. Mendès haggled politely over what military items Germany was to manufacture, but dropped his expected demand that German forces be "integrated" at the division level, and accepted instead integration at army group (200,000 men) or army (100,000 men) levels. Mendès, too, was taking risks. For the only protection France had left against Germany's new might was the NATO commander's ability to "turn off the gas" by cutting off its supplies.

With success in sight, the ministers burst into encomiums. Dulles spoke of "a near miracle ... a shining chapter of history." Said Mendès: "Tomorrow we shall put a happy end to our work together. We shall be able to tell our Parliaments and our public that we have reached agreement." Said Konrad Adenauer: "The German people feel with great emotion the importance of this day." The formal signings were scheduled for next day.

But as Mendès left, he reminded reporters that there was still that small hitch. Said he: "I'm going to see Chancellor Adenauer tonight. I won't sign anything unless we can agree."

Exhausted Talk. Mendès and Adenauer both dined at the British embassy. After dinner, as the other diners settled down to brandy and coffee, Mendès stood up, bowed to Adenauer, and said: "Let's get on with it." Adenauer sighed and rose from his chair. Eden escorted the two of them, each with two aides, upstairs to the library. The doors closed.

The talk was hard and humorless. Small talk and jokes were ignored. Now and then Mendès rose, went to the window, stared into the courtyard. Adenauer remained seated. Downstairs, Eden waited.

At 3 a.m. Mendès and Adenauer emerged. Ashtrays were overflowing with cigar and cigarette butts. Paper littered the rugs, protruded from the pockets of tired diplomats. Exhausted, both Mendès and Adenauer left hastily, not realizing that Eden was waiting up for them. At Adenauer's hotel, waiting newsmen asked him if the agreement would be signed. Said Der Alte wearily: "I think so—I mean, I hope so. I won't bet money on it."