West Germany: The Bitter Hours

Early this month. West German politicians were confident of three things: 1) that Chancellor Konrad Adenauer would resign next fall, 2) that he would be replaced by popular Economics Minister Ludwig Erhard. and 3) that ex-Defense Minister Franz Josef Strauss was finished as a national figure because of his involvement in the Spiegel crisis.

Last week they were not so sure. Asked in a TV interview with CBS's Daniel Schorr about his plans, Adenauer replied: "What can I say when I don't know who my successor will be? The calendar date for my retirement has not been determined." Adenauer supporters gleefully pointed out that Adenauer had promised only to retire "after" next summer's Bundestag recess—after could mean anything from ten days to ten years.

Next, Adenauer was the principal speaker at a farewell banquet for Strauss. "I do not say goodbye to you," der Alte told his friend, "but just the opposite. I hope that we will work together even more often in the future and will discuss together things of great importance for our people." Adenauer noted that the ex-Defense Minister had undergone many bitter experiences. Then der Alte concluded with what may well be his own credo, by saying: "But bitter hours are necessary for the formation of a man."