Evening star., 1947-12-04
koIotov's S Maneuyer
On GermanyPuzz|es
Western Ministers
BY the Associoted Press

LONDON, Dec. 4.-The Big
Four Foreign Ministers Confer
ence entered its second round
today with western diplomats
apparently confused and uncer-
tain as a result of Soviet Foreign
Minister Molotov's latest maneu-
yer on the German peace treaty.
The Russian leader proposed yes
terday that his country, the United
States, France and Britain should
submit to the Foreign Ministers
Council within two months pro
posals for the fundamentals OF the
peace treaty for Germany"
His suggestion dre~' the imme-
diate fire of French Foreign Min
lister Bloault, who said that if the
four agreed to such an arrangement
they might just as we'll adjourn the
London meeting at once, because it
is the fundamentals of the German
peace settlement that they are sup
posed to be discussing here.
MolotOv Purpose Mystery.
Neither Secretary of State Mar
shall nor British Foreign Secretary
Bevin made any comment, so Mr..
Molotov announced that, lacking
support, he would withdraw his
proposal.
Soviet officials said later he had
had no intention of trying to break
off the London meeting.
His exact purpose, however, re-
manned a mystery to French, British
and American authorities, who
shared Mr.. Bidault's view that the
fundamentals of the German peace
treaty are an immediate concern OF
the current conference.
Some western observers specu-
lated that Mr.. Molotov's suggestion
had merely been put forward casu-
ally. Others, suspicious of every
Russian move, sought for deeper and
more devious motives.
| Among the theories advanced by
the latter group was the possibility
that Mr.. Molotov believed that
should he commit the western
powers to a report on the German
treaty fundamentals two months
hence he would delay any move on
their part to set up government
in Western Germany.
Establishment of such a govern
ment in the American, British and
French occupation zones has been
regarded as likely should the Big
Four fail to reach any understand
ing at their present session.
Talks on Germany Ended.
Another theory concerning MI.
Molotov's purpose was that he might
be trying to bypass tentative Big
Four agreement under which the
small nations which fought Ger
many would be consulted during the
preliminary stages Of treaty drafting
as well as during the peace con-
ference. ..ss.3 IT,.
A third speculation was that Mr..
Molotov believed the western powers
would put forward tougher treaty
proposals than Russia, and that this
would work to Russias advantage
inside Germany.
At any rate yesterdays session.
which adjourned early so the min
listers could take tea with King
George at Buckingham Palace
ended discussions on preparation OF
the German peace treaty. The dis
cussions, which monopolized eight
meetings and about "a hours of de-
bate, resulted in no major agree
ments and the solution of no i'm
portant problems.
The final decision of the foreign
ministers was that the whole sub
ject should be sent back to their
deputies, who have wrestled unsuc-
cessfully with the problem twice be-
fore.
Austrian Issue Up Today.
This cleared the way for discus
sion of the Austrian independence
treaty, which is the first item on the
agenda for today's session beginning
at $3.50 pm. The main stumbling
block here is the old question OF
German assets in Austria-of which
Russia wants more than the western
powers think she should have.
Beyond the Austrian treaty lies
the subject of the economic future
of Germany, involving the question
of whether and under what condl-
tions the four occupation zones
should be unified for purposes OF re-
storing trade and commerce.
Since Gen. Marshall regards TINS
as a problem of immediate impor-
tance, he is expected to play more
dynamic role in the council sessions
that he has in the talks to date
where the initiative has remained
almost entirely in Mr.. Molotov's
| hands.
Paris Receives Reports