Evening star., 1953-07-16
Europe Is Pleased
But Cautious on Plan
For Big -Four Par|ey
BY the Associated Press

BONN, Germany, July 16.-
The Western Big Three's bid for
Russia to join them in autumn
talks about Germany and Austria
drew a generally favorable re-
sponse around Europe today.
Optimism about the outcome Of
such talks was notable for its
absence, however.
There was no official Com
munist reaction yet. but Western
diplomats figured the Kremlin
might say yes. These observers
were among those doubtful that
any real results would be
achieved.
West German Chancellor Kon-
rad Adenauer welcomed the pro-
posal for the talks. So did his
chief opposition at home. the
Socialists. but they charged the
suggested autumn time was a
Big Three plot to help Adenauer
beat them in West Germany's
parliamentary elections Septem-
Der 6.
Mr.. Adenauer's supporters ad-
mitted privately they were de-
lighted the Chancellor could
concentrate on campaigning.
rather than have to devote much
of his time to a prediction in
ternational confab.
British Press Cautious.
The British press expressed
cautious approval.
Non-CommuniSt West German
papers were reserved. Frank
furt's Red party paper said the
West had followed the U. S. S. r.
course on a four-power meeting" I"
but scored the proposed delay"
until after the German elections.
Moscow observers anticipated
Soviet acceptance of the Western
invitation because of recent Rus
sian expressions that they would
welcome any peace move. and
that reunif1cation of Germany is
essential to peace.
But Associated Press Corre-
spondent Thomas P. Whitney
cabled from Moscow that the
Soviets were unlikely to bypass
in silence" the Big Three's state
ment on Tuesday that the recent
rebellion in East Germany gave
proof of the will to independence
and the indomitable determine
ton for freedom of the inhabi-
tants of these areas"
Blame Riots on United States.
Mr.. Whitney pointed out that
the Soviets consistently have
blamed the East German riots
on foreign hirelings" and re-
peatedly charged they were Or
ganized by United States agents.
charges the West has denied
just as repeatedly and just as
Indignantly.
Mr.. Whitney also said the
Russians probably would attack
the reference by the United
States, British and French for
eign ministers to their desire to
see true liberty restored in the
countries of Eastern Europe" :"
The Soviets. Mr.. Whitney cabled,
contend there is true liberty
there now and that the Western
powers use such phrases only to
cover up (their own plans for
dominating Eastern Europe"
However, the objections of the
Sovlets to some of the phrases
used in the three ministers COM
munique presumably would not
preclude their accepting an in
vitation to discuss Germany and
Austria" Mr.. Whitney continued.
He concluded:
Diplomats Not Optimistic.
while considering the chances
are fairly good for a four-power
meeting, more or less along the
lines proposed by the three min
listers, Western diplomats here
are not at all optimistic as to
what real results such a meet
ing might attain"
The East German Communists
first reaction to the proposed
conference was favorable,
though in roundabout way.
The Soviet Zones controlled
news agency, Adm, said the
Western invitation was a COM,
promise solution to Big Three
differences aroused by British
Prime Minister Churchill's origi-
nal suggestion for a meeting Of
the Big Four chiefs Of state.
The United States, Adm
claimed. was not successful in
attempts to force Great Britain
and France to depart from their
policy toward the Soviet Union
and other countries in the peace
camp"