WesWorld

Foreign Minister Grandi states that "Whilst Italy has no problems with such an idea in principle, we do not feel it possible to commit to such a scheme at this moment. A detailed proposal should be filed with the Transport Ministry for further study as to whether the proposed signage is acceptable."

Chancellor Adenauer raises an eyebrow when Foreign Minister Grandi replies, and notes the silence from Prime Minister Galan.

"So be it," he says to himself.

Addressing the assembled heads of Government he began, "Gentlemen, on the motion before us - to call for a conference of member ministers of transport to discuss details of standard road signage proposals - the vote stands eight in favor and two present. The motion is carried."

He paused a moment.

"I am certain that our respective delegates will do their upmost to develop balanced proposals that will meet with our approval at a future date."

"Is there other business that should come before us at this time?"

Friday, 11 April 1941

The week-long conference of the PETA heads of government had kept Wien in continual uproar, with official motorcades and comings-and-goings of hangers-on, punctuated by the popping of flash-bulbs of the press cameramen. Most Viennese residents took them in stride, in a proud way that their city, once the hub of Europe, had once again been in the limelight. The café owners of the city had done land-office business so numerous had the visitors been.

In the city’s Grand Hotel a man in his late twenties sat before one of the magic boxes that his fellow-countrymen called “Fernsehen” and watched Chancellor Adenauer address the conference in its closing session. He heard the rhetoric of diplomacy, the well-used phrases of international friendship, and the platitudes of economic well-being; and saw right through them.

“What did they accomplish?” he asked of no one. “To call for another conference to discuss road signs! I had warned Adenauer not to expect much.”

A knock at the door announced his valet, “Your Grace called?”

“No,” replied the man. “Merely watching the sons of schoolmasters and shopkeepers prancing around my home!” he concluded with vigour. He snapped the television off.

Otto von Hapsburg had hoped that Europe might move forward towards greater integration, with the PETA in the vanguard. Adenauer’s speech closing the conference indicated that Europe as a whole was not yet ready. Too many nations were unwilling to sacrifice a small amount to win a great prize.

“It is time to depart. Have the car readied. With good fortune, we can still make the night express for Zurich.”

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