The Hague 1948
Illustrious Figures

The Congress of Europe in The Hague did not find its place in history solely as a result of the message it sent out to all Europeans, but also because of the standing of the figures who participated. In fact, it was a prestigious and learned assembly that gathered in 1948, counting both politicians and representatives of “civil society”.

Mention of The Hague Congress first brings to mind, unquestionably, the names of prestigious politicians such as Winston Churchill and Harold Macmlllan, for the UK, former French Prime Ministers Paul Ramadier and Paul Reynaud, and a fresh-from-school and still relatively obscure Minister of War Veterans, Fran�ois Mitterrand. Former Ministers Paul van Zeeland and Julien Hoste represented Belgium

But a scan of the long list of participants reveals the names of many other well known figures not belonging to the world of politics, for example, Earl Bertrand Russel, the English philosopher and author, and his famous French colleague Raymond Aron. The world of artists was represented in the person of Dutch Professor WllIem Asselbergs, better known under his nom de plume, Anton van Duinkerken. Nobel Prize winners were also present, such as Salvatore Quasimodo and his compatriot Guiseppe Ungaretti. Another illustrious Italian figure lgnazio Silone also participated as
well as the Norwegian Arnulf Oeverland.

The Europeans shaped by their underground struggles were obviously not absent, with Altiero Spinelli, author of the famous Ventotene Manifesto, and his comrade in arms Professor Ernesto Rossi, for Italy. Also, the Netherlands’ Hendrik Brugmans, former prisoner of war, who did not know at the time that he would one day become the first Rector of the College of Europe in Bruges. We also note the participation of Alexandre Marc, founder of the �Centre international de formation europ�enne� (C.l.F.E.).

Did each of these participants fully realize at the time the historical importance of this meeting?   Perhaps not, but some were deeply aware 0f experiencing a turning point in history. In his “M�moires interrompus”, French President Fran�ois Mltterrand explains: “I was present somewhat by chance, having received an invitation by roundabout means of which I was unaware. But I was deeply conscious of the importance 0f this gathering, at a turning point in history, only two years after the end of the cruelest of Europe's internal wars.”

Jean Monnet, the “Father of Europe”, also elaborated upon the Congress of Europe in his M�moires. His testimony especially reveals the extent to which the German delegation operated behind the scenes, without being taken fully into consideration. After describing the political figures present in The Hague who, he believed, seemed destined to shape the future, Monnet added: “And there were also the unknowns: a German MP, Konrad Adenauer; a professor from Frankfurt, Walter Hallstein...”

Monnets opinion of the Congress was mixed, however: “In the great confusion of ideas characteristic of such gatherings, I am sure that one could have discerned some productive lines of action mixed up with a great many dreams. But I admit that I did not pay too much attention and the bogging down of the enthusiastic resolutions that were to end up a year later in the Council of Europe solution confirmed for me that this way led to an impasse.”

Monnets premonitory appraisal 0f the German contribution was reinforced by Hendrik Brugmann’s perception of the event: “There was an important German delegation led by Dr Adenauer. Its members participated very discreetly in public debates, but its very presence was the symbol of a new era.”