Evening star., 1950-05-26
.WestCha||enges
RussianstoHoId
Reich Vote
Election Proposed as
Step to Unifieotion
And Peace Treaty
BY the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
BONN, Germany, May 26.-The
three Western powers challenged
Russia today to clear the way fol-
unifying Germany by consentine
to completely free alderman
elections tied in with guarantees
of full individual freedoms.
The time element of the state
ment Of the three Western high
commissioners to the Russia CON-
mand in Germany was significant
1t was issued while world atten-
ton was focused on the rally of
100000 Communicated German
youth in Berlin. Soviet propa-
ganda belabors the theme that
only Russia is sincerely committed
to German unif1cation.
Three identical letters of the
United States, British and French
commissioners were sent to Gen
v. I. Chuikov, Soviet commander
in Germany. Inclosed was a
statement of the three Western
Foreign Ministers, which said the
West was agreed that with forma-
ton Of an alderman govern
ment "the four powers should i'm
mediately address themselves to
r~%414,>4
Program Proposed.
The letters proposed this pro-
gram:
/. A freely elected alderman
government.
2. Individual freedom of move
ment, freedom from arbitrary ar
rest and detention, freedom of as
sociation and assembly, freedom
OF speech, press and radio
throughout Germany.
8. Freedom of action through.
out all Germany for all Demo.
cratic political parties.
4. Independence of the courts.
5. Prohibition throughout Ger
many of political secret police ane
police formations which are mill
tary in character.
6. Assurance of German eco.
nomic unity through action by ar
alderman government on such
matters as currency and customs
and through four-power agree
ment on such matters as halt
to reparations from current pro-
duction and limitations on indus
try.
7. Surrender in accordance with
German legislation of any indus
trial enterprise in Germany whose
ownership or control was acquired
after May 8. 1945 (the end of the
war;, by or on behalf of any for
eign power, unless the acquisition
had four-power approval anc
such acquisition or interest is sub
jected to German law.
8. Establishment of four power
supervision through a commits
sion using its powers in such q
way as to permit the German gov
ernment to function effectively.
Free Vote First Step.
The inclosed statement by the
foreign ministers were agreed thai
the first step toward German I'm.
ity should be free election:
throughout the country for a con
stituent assembly which woult
have the sole task of drafting 6
constitution to be submitted tx
the people.
1.-The ministers agreed that with
the formation of an all-Germar
government the four power
should Immediately address them
selves to a peace settlement" th'
statement said.
The letters suggested that four
power discussions should be con
Quoted thus:
First talks would be by the fou
high commissioners to draft al
electoral'law.
IF an electoral law were agreed
the way would be clear for th'
drafting of an alderman con
stitution within the framework o
principles laid down by th'
Western foreign ministers"
A basis thus would be laid fol
o four power commission to "exer'
else it's reserved powers in such
q way as to permit the German
government to function effective.
ly."
Elections Long Urged.
Since last February Unitee
States High Commissioner John j
McCloy and other Allied leader
have spoken publicly for early fret
elections to erase zonal frontiers
The foreign ministers and tn
high commissioners now addet
that they supported the resolution
of the West German government
March 70 calling for all-Germal
elections. The ministers reminde,
the Russian commander they ha'
declared themselves against a sep
arate peace which would flnaliz
the division of Germany.
The West German government
giving the proposal its full sup
port, welcomed the declaration.
Every proposal which is mad
with the aim of establishing Ger
man unity in freedom will fin
the undivided support of the gov
ernment," a spokesman said.