Evening star., 1953-07-15
Good Work by the Bio Three

The Foreign Ministers Of the Western Big
Three have concluded their conference here on
note OF f1rmness, unity and hope Although
they obviously have not agreed on everything
there can be no doubt that they have achieved
concert OF views on the most pressing of the
worlds issues, particularly the question of peace
in Asia and the all-important problem of Ger
manys reunif1cation within the framework of
free Europe.
It is because Of this concert of views that
the three powers have found it feasible to
propose that their Foreign Ministers meet with
the Soviet Foreign Minister early in the autumn
(after the elections in the Bonn Federal Re-
public headed by Chancellor Adenauer) to seek
agreement on the first steps needed to reunite
partltloned Germany under single and genu-
lnely independent government. At the same
time assuming that the Kremlin consents to
participate, the meeting will also discuss the
conclusion of an Austrian treaty
In making this proposal France, Britain
and the United States have emphasized their
f1rmness and unity by declaring that any con-
sideration OF the German problem must recog-
nize the following: That the continuing exist
ence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
and the projected six-nation European Defense
Community with Germany participating) are
necessary undertakings directed against no
other power but designed solely to promote
peace by safeguarding the security of the West.
Thus, in effect, although it has consistently
attacked these undertakings, the Kremlin has
now been told that the attacks are q waste of
time because the Big Three-who have also
called for the restoration of liberty to the
satellite countries-are determined to 20 for
ward with the projects regardless of the
strongest Soviet objections. This may lead the
U. S. S. R. to decline to take part in the pro-
posed autumn meeting; if so, that will be good
measure of the sincerity of all its recent talk
about wanting to ease international tensions.
Despite some differences as to the future
status of Communist China, the Big Three have
shown similar firmness and unity as regards
the immediate situation in Asia Affirming the
high hope that an effective Korean truce will
be achieved, and after that the country's peace
full unifcation, they have solemnly warned
that if the enemy should break the truce by
renewing the aggression, they will Immediately
strike back. Further, declaring themselves
agreed on measures aimed at ending the war
in Indo- China they have implicitly told Peiping
and Moscow that grave consequences will
ensue if the Communists utilize an armistice
in Korea to embark on new military adven-
lures elsewhere in Asia.
Apart from such declarations as these, not
the least interesting feature of the Anglo
Frencn-Amerlcan communicates is the absence
OF any reference to staging the thrice postponed
Bermuda Conference of President Eisenhower,
Prime Minister Churchill of Britain and Premier
Laniel of France. Also absent is any reference
to possible meeting between these three and
the chief of the Russian government. This
seems altogether sensible and realistic. After
ALL there is little reason why the heads of states
should get together unless and until the pro-
posed session of the Foreign Ministers of the
Big -Four shows that such a gathering would
be fruitful in promoting peace along the lines
advocated by France, Britain and the United
States