The Key West citizen., 1952-11-24
Britain-U. S. Rift Over POW
Deadlock Continues Unabated
BY STANLEY Johnson

0OunLrleS 10 close the breach.
Day-long harmony moves were
expected, but diplomats held little
hope for them.
The two great allies split far
apart when the u. S. notified Brit
ish Foreign Secretary Anthony
Eden hat 1t could not accept a
British-backed Indian compromise
plan for ending the Korean prison
or Of war deadlock unless the pro-
posals should be given a chance
as they stand, but the U. S. wants
all details spelled out.
India came up quickly with
notifications but these APPARENTLY
did not satisfy the u. S.
The u powers which backed an
original American resolution held
an urgent closed meeting last
night at which u. S. Secretary of
State Dean Acheson detailed the
American objections tc the Indian
ropOsals. The 81 apparently failed
to find position which would
please both Britain and the U. S.
Feelings at the meeting were
tense and afterwards press Off
GERS of the British and American
delegations we're not even polite
10 one another-highly unusual in
diplomatic circles.
Eden stayed away from the
meeting but sent his top assistant,
Minister of State Selwyn Lloyd.
A spokesman said Eden hada
long standing social engage
ment," but he went mum when
reminded that Eden didn't make
up his mind to stay here until
last Friday and therefore it was
unlikely that he had a New York
engagement for day he expected
10 be in London.
Acheson was scheduled to speak
late today il the U. MS 6O-mem-
Der Political Committee, but aides
said he might postpone the speech
because Of fast-breaking behind the
scenes diplomatic developments.
Acheson was scheduled to speak
late today in the U. Ms 6O-mem-
Der Political Committee, but aides
said he might postpone the speech
because Of fast-breaking behind the
scenes diplomatic developments.
Poland was also on the speakers
list and some delegates hoped for
a tipoff on official Communist re-
action to the split between the
Western allies.
Moscow newspapers commented
yesterday that the British-Amer-
ican differences over the Indian
resolution just proved the Commu-
mist contention that a major split
and possibly a war-between the
U. S. and other Western coun-
tries is inevitable. The Soviet
press also has made it plain that
the Russians do not consider the
Indian plan the right solution to
the POW issue.
Both British and Americans
made it clear that they are not
divided on their basic refusal to
send back prisoners who say they
are afraid to return to the Reds.
They differ over what approach
Is most likely to solve the prob
lem and bring an armistice to
Korea.
The U. S. position is that the
Indian plan is too vague and
could give the Reds a chance to
indulge In all sorts Of stalling and
double talk. They say they have
had the experience Of negotiating
with the Communists at Panmun-
JON and have learned the neces-
sity Of crossing all rs and dotting
all rs.
The Indian plan, as revised yes
terday along lines suggested by
Eden, would:
l. Turn all prisoners held by
both sides over to a four-power
commission made up Of Poland,
CEechoslovakia, Switzerland and
Sweden. These countries would be
responsible for caring for the pris-
oners and getting them home. The
commission would. pick a neutral
umpire who would sit as chairman
Of their deliberations.
Z. After 30 days the commission
would ask q political conference
at which the Reds would be repre-
scented what 10 do with the pris-
oners still on its hands because
they refused 10 go home. If the
conference could not agree within
90 days. those prisoners would be
turned over to a IT, N. group.
The Americans said they con.
sidered the split the worst since
Britain and the U. S. divided on
what 10 do about the future of
the prewar Italian colonies back
In 1913. A source close 10 the
British delegation said its mem.
bers went further-they thought
The diplomatic break the most
serious between the two countries
since President RooSevelt's atti-
tude On the gold standard brought
about what the British consider
the "torpedoing" Of the London
Economic Conference in 1858.
NEW HAT FOR MAYOR
MAI.D0N Engg.na tn YAo