On 6 May 1953, Otto Lenz, State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery, welcomes the efforts being made by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany to ratify the future Treaty establishing the European Defence Community (EDC) as quickly as possible.

On 19 May 1954, the German daily newspaper Die Welt speculates on the risks and consequences of a possible refusal by France to ratify the Treaty establishing the European Defence Community (EDC).

French poster portraying the need for European military cooperation within a European Defence Community (EDC) in order to avoid further armed conflict on the European continent.

‘Remember 1940.’ On 31 July 1954, French cartoonist Louis Mitelberg illustrates the potential dangers of participation by the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) in the European Defence Community (EDC), alluding to the painful memory of the Second World War and the exodus of French civilians fleeing the Nazi invader. Many fear that including German troops in a European Defence Community (EDC) would lead to a revival of German militarism and see history repeating itself.

On 31 August 1954, in response to the failure of the European Defence Community (EDC), the German daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung criticises the opponents of the EDC project and recommends that thought be given to the errors committed.

On 23 June 1952, Dirk Stikker, Netherlands Foreign Minister, sends a note to the President of the Second Chamber in which he explains the issues surrounding the Treaty establishing a European Defence Community.

On 3 December 1952, Willy Brandt submits to the Bundestag a detailed analysis concerning the political importance of the Treaty establishing a European Defence Community (EDC).

On 18 February 1953, the Dutch journal Internationale Spectator comments on the situation in France after the presentation of the Pleven Plan on 24 October 1950 and the signing of the Treaty establishing the European Defence Community on 27 May 1952.

‘To the woods to celebrate the victory of Little Red Riding Hood!’ On 5 September 1954, taking inspiration from the story of Little Red Riding Hood, a cartoon by Effel in the French communist daily newspaper L’Humanité illustrates the decision by the French National Assembly not to ratify the Treaty establishing the European Defence Community (EDC). The big bad wolf, wearing a Wehrmacht helmet marked ‘EDC’, is defeated by a young, dynamic Marianne (depicted as Red Riding Hood).