Evening star., 1953-07-05
Big ; Par|ey Here
To Tackle Indo-China
And Germany Issues
BY the Assoeio.sd Press

HOAC4Su 4uAAA4oLCAS VI Tile
United States, Britain and
France will face two difficult
problems when they open their
meeting here Friday-what to
do about Germany and Indo-
China in the months ahead.
Authoritative officials said yes
terday these issues overshadow
others in the wide range of
questions up for discussion in
the quickly arranged conference.
President Eisenhower has
listed Korea, the North Atlantic
alliance, Malaga and the Middle
East among other subjects to be
considered. But current fast
breaking developments in Ger
many and Indo-China make it
almost certain they will demand
the most earnest attention OF
Secretary of State Dulles, Bri-
tain's Lord Salisbury. Foreign
Minister Georges Bidault OF
France and their aides.
In cold war strategy the two
key areas are tied in close to-
gether even though they are
widely separated by geography.
Skeptical of Answers.
These specific questions are
demanding answers:
Cd With the Soviet bloc
shaken by internal upheavals.
should the West now revise its
plans for enlisting West Ger
many as an ally for reuniting
the divided country?
co How can France be balled
out of the Indo-China war so
she can play a stronger role in
the European defense buildup?
Diplomats are skeptical that
the foreign ministers in three
or four days will be able to come
up with firm answers. Should
major policy changes be agreed
upon, presumably recommended
tions will be passed on to the
prospective later Big Three con-
ference of government chiefs at
Bermuda. The meeting here
will be in the nature of a cur
tain raiser to the Bermuda talks.
The Washington conference
was arranged on short notice at
the suggestion of Britain when
Lord Salisbury was named act
ing foreign minister. That was
when long rest was ordered
for Prime Minister Churchill
and the Bermuda conference.
scheduled to start this week, was
postponed indefinitely.
Agenda Left Open.
The agenda for the Washing
ton meeting has been left open.
so that the foreign ministers
can bring up any issues they
desire. Their principal purpose,
Gen. Eisenhower told newsmen
last week, will be to develop a
common purpose and common
effort and to increase under
standing generally.
The outbreak of rloting III
Communist East Germany put
q new complexion on the Ger
man situation last month and
prompted Secretary Dulles to
say that a quick exchange OF
views was needed.
The United States has just re-
newed it's stand that any until
cation of West Germany with
the Communist east zone must
be based on free elections.
Authorities ruled out the like
lihood of discussion at this time
of alternative courses to be fol-
lowed in case France continues
to balk at ratifying the European
defense treaty. The French
delay for the past year has held
up the whole plan of bringing a
rearmed West Germany into the
Western defense lineup. Even
though the foreign ministers
may shy away from the subject
as untimely, the question has
been under earnest study among
their governments.
French Demands Expected.
The Bonn government, Bel
gium and others are to be kept
informed on what is said about
many particularly, even
though they will not be directly
represented. .
Authorities look for Ny. BIZ
dault to renew pie G for
heavier American con.rlUutions
to the defense of Indo-China
where France contends she is
being bled white economically
and weakened from a military
standpoint.
The United States has been
meeting about 40 per cent of
the costs of this campaign and
the Eisenhower admInistrau lion
has indicated the proportion may
be increased.
Korea would be nearer the top
of the list of important issues
but for the uncertainty over The
outcome of efforts to bring