Evening star., 1952-07-15
The KremIin and Germany

The Kremn is not likely to be pleased by the
latest French, British and American notes on the
subject of Germany. Couched in identical
language, they make clear that the Western Big
Three are still firmly united on all essential points
involved in the problem of unifying the parti-
toned country under a genuinely free govern
ment-a thing which the Russians, of course, do
not want.
AS last set forth, in its note of May "a, the
Kremlin has taken position calling for top
level four power conference to be held as quickly
as possible to discuss practically every aspect OF
the German question. The Soviet demand, in
other words is for full-dresS meeting on vast
complex of problems, including appointment Of
an elections commission, action on unidcation,
formation of single overall government, and
the working out of de1nitive peace treaty
issues that lend themselves to dilatory tactics
of a sort that could make the Korean truce talks
look relatively expeditions.
Moreover-and this point speaks pretty much
for itself-the Russians have insisted that Chan
cellor Adenauers government at Bonn, during
the period of the proposed four-power confer
ence, must refrain from ratifying the Anglo
French American peace contract and the related
pact to make West Germany full and active
participant in the Six-nation European Defense
Community. The Soviet objective here is almost
too obvious to require explanation. 1t is to set
in motion tremendously time consuming debate
among the foreign ministers of France, Britain.
the United States and Russia not only to create
a new sounding board for Red propaganda but
also to force an indefinite delay in action by the
free Germans to join in the common front against
the menace of Communist aggression.
In their reply however, the Big Three have
left no room for doubt that the Kremlin will be
wasting its time if it continues to insist upon
such a procedure. In the first place, they have
emphasized that there must be no restraints on
West Germany's right to ratify and ef1ectuate
the peace contract and the EDO treaty. Further.
they have made special point of noting that the
Soviet Union, while preaching unifcation, has
taken threatful action calculated to deepen the
countrys division and aggravate the tension
existing there. In the circumstances, 1t is not
surprising that they have assented to only the
most qualified kind of four power conference
one that would involve merely lower-echelon
officials and be limited strictly to trying to name
an impartial commission to determine whether
really free German elections can be held under
present conditions
This assent represents slight concession.
Heretofore the Western Big Three have argued
that such a commiSSion-approved by the last
General Assembly-should be made up OF men,
bers of the United Nations and that agreement
on it should be worked out through diplomatic
cnannelS raIner Cudn ny SPecAaA AouA -Po"eA
session. But now France, Britain and the United
States have expressed themselves as willing to
discuss the subject at a meeting with representa-
tives of Russia, provided that the Kremlin agrees
in advance on inSuring the commissions impair
TALLY and granting it full freedom to conduct
a thorough investigation on both sides Of the
Iron Curtain in Germany.
Given favorable report by this body, fret
elections could then be held and the way cleared
Ror unifcation under an independent al-Germar
government, which would have the right tt
negotiate a peace treaty with the four powers
The Anglo o-French- American position, in short
Is that the Krernlin must first agree to an homes
country-w vote before any substantial progress
can be made toward good final solution o
the problem Of Germany. Up to now tn