Evening star., 1947-06-29
Paris PorIey Stalled at Start
As Reds Bring Up Old Issues;
MoIotov ConsuIts With Kremlin
Moscow Is Expected
To Insist u. S. Make
Offer in Billions
BY the Assoeioted Press

what French sources SAID were
up-to-the minute instructions
from Moscow, Soviet Foreign
Minister Molotov tardily joined
his British and French colleagues
In the aid-to- Europe conference
for session of nearly three
hours tonight.
What word he had to take to Brit
ish Foreign Secretary Bevin and
French Foreign Minister Bidault
was not likely to leak out for a
day or two in view of the official
lid on news of the sessions.
But pessimism and pickering al
ready had settled down on the con-
ference and one source close to
the chiefs of the French delegate
said he already had gained the i'm
preston that the Russians were
bent on a course that would slowly
strangle Secretary of State Mar
shall's program of American aid to-
Europe If Europeans will cooper
ate among themselves.
This source said he had gained
the impression from talks with his
delegation that Russian questions at
yesterdays opening sessions were
directed at bringing up the same old
issues that stymied the Foreign Min
listers Council in Moscow. These
questions arose before Mr.. Molotov
had received the latest official COM
ments from the Kremlin, however.
Meet Again Tomorrow.
After tonight's session. which
broke up at pm, it was announced
that the three ministers will meet
again at 4 pm. Monday. Various
speculation said the ministers were
taking the Sunday breather because
of the Paris heat, because they
wanted time to study what already
had been said, or because they were
digging in for long conference.
The first shock of pessimism today
was the report that Mr.. Bevin and
Mr.. Bidault had held their own
private meeting before joining Mr.
Molotov. One informant said 1.-The
success of the conference is in
doubt"
Then French officials bitterly
criticized Mr.. Bevih, saying it was
he who had demanded a complete
news blackout on the conference
sessions. The French threatened to
break the velvet curtain hiding the
proceedings.
The real gloom developed over
Indications, however, that the first
Soviet move here has been to throw
the ball back to Washington with
demands for a definite offer Of so
many billions for European aid
before definite program Is
formulated.
Molotov Asks Details.
The French informant said he
had sized up Russian strategy from
his roundabout reports this way:
Bring the United States directly
into the various technical commit
tees which the French and British
have proposed to be organized to
formulate program in different
fields.
Bring up within these commit
tees political differences which al
ready have divided east and west
over Germany and the Ruhr. Local
Communist parties could then make
progress in Europe's continuing
misery while the Marshall plan
languished.
The French informant gave this
picture of the first meeting: Mr..
Bidault and Mr. Bevin made state
ments on how Europe should take
advantage of the Marshall offer
through the special technical COM
mittees. Mr.. Molotov asked for de-
tails on the American suggestions
for aiding Europe.
Asks About Money.
He wanted to know how much
money the United States proposed
to put up and what the terms would
be. He indicated he wanted the
program to be handled by the
United Nations Economic Commits
sion for Europe. which has 18 mem
bers, a number of them in the Soviet
bloc. Mr.. Molotov cited Mr.. Bevins
conversations in London with Will
liam L. Clayton. United States
Under Secretary Of State for Eco /
nomic Affairs. as his reason for
asking such details.
Mr.. Bevin gave some answers. He |
said he thought it best to sidestep
the u. N. Economic Commission
because neither Germany nor Allied
military governments in Germany
belong to the commission.
Mr.. Molotov. it was reported. then
asked for time to consult the
Kremlin.
The meeting today was scheduled
for pm, but it was delayed an
hour at Mr.. Molotov's request.
French sources said. Mr.. MolotoY
then arrived 10 minutes late.