Evening star., 1946-05-13
Big igFourAccord
Seen on French
Ruhr Demands
Foreign Ministers
ReossembIe to Try to
Resolve Differences
By the Associoied Pres.

PARIS, May ia compro-
mise on French demands for
detachment of the Ruhr arsenal
from Germany appeared pos
sible today as the Big Four for
eign ministers prepared to re-
assemble after a day off in an
effort to resolve their remaining
points of disagreement-includ-
ing the Italian peace treaty.
A well-informed French source
said the germ of possible compro-
mise was contained in a recent
British proposal which is reported
to have suggested some form of
federation for the Ruhr region. The
federation might even include part
of the Rhineland
The British and Americans have
opposed Frances demands for COM
plete political separation of the
Ruhr from the Reich under inter-
national political control and have
proposed establishment of economic
control instead.
Might Meet French Approval.
The French source said a fed
Grated Rhur similar to the setup
the American occupation forces in
stituted in Greater Hesse in the
United States zone of occupation
might meet French approval so long
as the federated state was not under
complete control of a centralized
German authority in Berlin.
In any event, this informant con-
tinued. French acceptance of such a
plan would depend on the satisfac-
tory working out of details and in
ternational economic control would
be insisted on.
: Secretary of State Byrnes' pro-
posal of a..25-year four-power mu-
tual assistance pact to assure Ger
man disarmament was received
warmly by the French, but an auth
orized French spokesman declared
it was not in itself sufficient guar
antee against further German ag-
greSsion.
IL,
1t would work, one French source
said, only so long as the Big Four
remained in complete agreement.
He added that France expected
resurrected Germany to use every
means to sow the seeds of discord
among the Allies. who yesterday
joined in Frances formal observance
of the first anniversary of their
victory.
The observance was postponed
from Wednesday in order to coincide
with Joan of Arc day.
The Foreign Ministers reviewed a
military parade from positions of
honor in front of the Arch of Tri-
umph and heard President Felix
Gouin appeal for 'the triumph OF
a human peace" so that the worlds
sacrifice will not have been in vain"
Immediately after the ceremonies
British Foreign Secretary Bevin de-
parted for London by plane for con-
sultations. He had been expected
to return to Paris in time for the
scheduled council meeting at II IN.
Is am. EST but was unexpectedly
delayed, and the council meeting
was put over until pm.
Deadlock Remains.
The Foreign Ministers still are
deadlocked on the major items of
the Italian treaty-reparation COL
onles and the disputed port of
Trieste-but compromise solutions
seemed within reach on all except
the Trieste issue.
Mr.. Byrnes contributed to a pos
sible solution of the Italian repara-
tlons issue last week by offering to
agree to 100000 for Russia if the
payments were restricted to mer-
chant ships, some naval vessels, sur
plus factory equipment and Italian
assets in the Balkans.
RusSia's abandonment of demands
for trusteeship over Tripolitania
also offered hope of solution to
the disposition of Italian colonies
although the problem still was COM
plicated by Britain's demand for
trusteeship over Cirenaica.
Both sides still are standing firm.
however, on Trieste, with the Rus
slams insisting that it go to Yugo-
slavia. while Britain, the United
States and France are backing
ltaly's claim to the port.