On 13 May 1950, the Luxembourg daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort analyses reactions in Luxembourg and elsewhere to the proposal made by Robert Schuman that European coal and steel output should be pooled.

On 12 July 1947, the Conference on European Economic Cooperation began in Paris. It brought together all those countries accepting the reconstruction aid proposed to Europe by the US Secretary of State, George Marshall.

‘New Year romance or … the one holding the mistletoe.’ On 28 December 1949, French cartoonist Louis Mitelberg paints an ironic picture of post-war Germany’s return to favour on the international stage. The cartoonist harshly criticises the new romance between the fledgling Federal Republic of Germany and the United States, as well the French Foreign Minister’s support for German recovery. As the end of the year approaches, Germania, wearing military boots and a steel helmet decorated with the SS symbol (Schutzstaffel, one of the main paramilitary organisations of the Nazi regime), kisses US President Truman during a romantic dance under the mistletoe — a symbol of long life and prosperity — held by Robert Schuman. With memories of the German occupation still painfully present, and less than five years after the end of the Second World War, some in French political circles and the general public are highly critical of the economic and military recovery of their German neighbour.

‘Commentary on the situation. In the European forge.’ In March 1950, the front page of the Saar-based satirical journal Der Tintenfisch features a cartoon by German cartoonist Stig (Roland Stigulinszky) illustrating how the Saar is maintaining its European credentials under the benevolent gaze of the neighbouring countries. From left to right: former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President of the Italian Council of Ministers Alcide De Gasperi, former Belgian Prime Minister Paul-Henri Spaak, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman and Johannes Hoffmann, Minister-President of the Saar. In the background, Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer (on the right) and General de Gaulle (on the left) observe the scene.

‘The Paris ‘52 post-Olympics: Unbelievable, unbelievable — putting the most difficult obstacle right at the start ...!’ In August 1952, the cartoonist for the German satirical magazine Der Tintenfisch portrays the Saar question as the first hurdle to be cleared by ‘runners’ Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, and Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), on the hazardous route to a united Europe.

‘There were two child kings — but unfortunately one took down the bridge that was supposed to lead to the peace treaty!’ On 7 March 1950, commenting on the signing of the Franco-Saar conventions on 3 March in Paris, German cartoonist Peter Leger criticises French policy regarding the Saar and expresses concern for the future of Franco-German rapprochement. Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, and Johannes Hoffman, Minister-President of the Saar, dismantle the ‘Saar territory’ bridge that would have allowed France (Marianne) and the FRG (Michel) to meet safely. At the bottom of the ravine that separates the two countries, the ominous spectre of war still looms, depicted here as the face of Adolf Hitler.

‘The abduction of the Saar — “You’ll get it back in 50 years.”’ On 7 March 1950, the German newspaper Rheinische Zeitung illustrates the consequences of the signing of the Franco-Saar conventions for the Saar territory and emphasises the strong emotions that they are arousing in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Although these agreements confer a greater degree of autonomy on the Saar Government, they hand the responsibility for operating the Saar’s mines to France for the next 50 years. From left to right: French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, riding his horse, ‘abducts’ the ‘young Saar’ under the disapproving gaze of Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.

‘“Come Poo-Pool, come Poo-Pool, come …!” (Melody of a French song).’ On 24 June 1950, playing on the words of the song Viens, poupoule!, written in 1902 by French singer Félix Mayol, cartoonist Henri-Paul Gassier illustrates the dangers of the new Franco-German agreement over the coal and steel pool. Allusions to the Second World War abound. French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman and Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, depicted as conjoined twins sharing an arm and a leg, appear to move with near-perfect symmetry. The two men, performing the Hitler salute with their free arms and goose-stepping with their free legs, are stuffed together into a single Wehrmacht uniform as they sing the famous line from the Deutschlandlied (the Song of Germany), ‘Deutschland, Deutschland über alles …!’, while chanting ‘Heil Truman’. While the French cartoonist deplores this act of treason with the former enemy, he also criticises US support for the project. The belt buckle is decorated with a dollar symbol, while Chancellor Adenauer is wearing an armband bearing a swastika.

On 18 April 1951, in Paris, the Foreign Ministers of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands sign the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). From left to right: Paul van Zeeland (B), Joseph Bech (L), Joseph Meurice (B), Count Carlo Sforza (I), Robert Schuman (F), Konrad Adenauer (FRG), Dirk Stikker (NL) and Johannes van den Brink (NL).

‘Exchange of words … Both together: “Hands off, the Saar is mine!”’ On 21 January 1950, Opland, Dutch cartoonist, illustrates the differences of opinion which pit Konrad Adenauer, German Chancellor (left), and Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister (right), against each other on the political and economic future of the Saar.