Evening star., 1948-11-16
Soviet Delivers
Reply to Appeal
ByLie, Evott
BY the Asseciotsd Press


plying to the peace appeal of top
United Nations officials, held
firm to her previous position to-
day-and the Western Powers
also we're reported standing pat.
Russia replied that she still in
sists on taking up the question of
all Germany, in any negotiations
on Berlin.
Representatives of the United
States, Britain and France met as
the Russian reply was made public.
A statement later said their dis
cussions showed complete identity
of views" which could mean only
that the Western powers were
standing by their insistence that
the Berlin blockade be lifted be-
fore any negotiations begin.
Radio Announces Reply.
The Russian reply to the peace
appeal by Trygve Lie, U. N. secre-
tary general, and DR.. H. v. Evatt,
Assembly president, was signed by
Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister
A. Y. Vishinsky. The Moscow radio
announced its terms.
The Russians said the Soviet gov
ernment shares the opinion of Mr.,
Lie and DR.. Evatt about the sig
nificance and Importance of per-
sonal contact and mutual trust be-
tween the leaders Of the powers in
the matter of improvement of rela-
tions."
His letter pointed out that Russia
already had proposed to call the
Council of Foreign Ministers into
session Ito consider the question of
the situation in Berlin, as we'll as
the question of Germany as a
whole"
The Soviet government adheres
now also to the same position" it
said.
The Foreign Ministers of the
United States. Britain and France
met at the French Foreign Office
to frame their reply and adjourned
after 40 minutes.
Vests Reply Kept Secret.
The nature of this reply was kept
secret, but authoritative sources
said it conceded with French
view that the West will not negoti-
ate under the duress of the Berlin
blockade, but hopes that the Berlin
issue can be solved by conciliation.
A French government spokesman
announced this stand earlier.
The decision reached by the
Western ministers must be sent to
their governments for final approval,
delegates reported.
Persons familiar with the nego-
tiations on Berlin stressed that the
Western power view was unanimous.
This meant that there was no break
in Western solidarity on the Berlin
issue.
The French spokesman. Francois
Mitterand. issued the statement fol-
lowing a cabinet meeting. Mr..
Mitterand is the French Secretary
of State for information.
Cabinet Approves Text.
The cabinet approved the text
OF nOGe fOTelSn MlulStcT uOUclI
Schuman intends to send to Mr..
Lie and DR.. Evatt in reply to their
appeal last week.
The government also circulated
a statement denying recent sugges-
tions in the French press that the
Foreign Ministry, the Premier's Of
flee and the Presidents office were
not in agreement on the appeal for
Berlin talks.
Secretary Of State Marshall was
accompanied to the Western power
meeting by the American Ambassa-
dor to Paris, Jefferson Caffery. The
acting British Foreign Secretary.
Hector Mcneil, was accompanied by
the British Ambassador to Paris.
Sir Oliver Harvey. Foreign Minister
Schuman represented France. DR..
Philip c. Jessup, American deputy
on the Security Council, and Charles
Bohlen of the State Department,
also attended.
Mr.. Mitterand emphasized to re-
porters after the French cabinet
meeting that the exchange OF let