The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-02-12
Austria Asks Big Four For
Restoration Of independence
BY JOHN M. HIcHToWER

the Big Four today TO restore its
independence without further delay
and al the same time asked for an
easing Of harsh and inequitable"
economic concessions to Russia.
The appeal was laid before the
Berlin conference by Austrian For
eign Minister Leopold Figl. As the
ministers took up the Austrian
question, Russia's v. NJ. Molotov
indicated he had a new proposal
to make on the subject. Details
were not Immediately available.
Figl made his appearance at a
regular session late in the after.
noon which followed a secret meet.
ing on Asiatic questions.
The mild-mannered Austrian
made an imprisoned plea to re-
store his nations sovereignty and
deliver its seven million people
from occupation for the first time
since 1898. He asked that the eco
nomic terms of the draft treaty be
revised Sin a sympathetic and gen.
erouS spirit"
These terms would benefit Rus
STA as the treaty now stands. They
provide for a payment of $50 mil
lion dollars over a six-year period
by Austria for the redemption of
factories in the Soviet occupation
zone which were seized as German
assets.
They would also give Russia the
lions share of Austrian oil pro-
duction for a period of Is to 30
years. Figl argued that the dispos-
al of the country's mineral re.
sources Is IAN inalienable right
for every free people"
The Austrian reminded the
United States, Russia, Britain and
France that negotiations on the
Austrian state treaty began in 1916
and have "still not been concluded
owing to circumstances upon which
neither Austria's people nor Aus
tria's government had any influ-
ence."
He said the delay has lied to the
strange situation that the country
which was the first TO be victim.
lied by Nazi aggression will be
the last to obtain its full freedom
and sovereignty"
His country, he said now accepts
every term of the present draft
OF the state treaty which would
secure Austria's independence,
freedom and sovereignty"
Only about five articles of the
more than so in the draft treaty
remain to be agreed by the Big
Four, unless Figls plea today has
the effect of reopening those deal.
ing with economic conditions. Most
diplomats have felt that the Rus.
SLAMS were unwilling to draw their
occupation forces out of Austria
until the German question was
settled.
There was strong indication that
If Molotov would drop his insist
ence on a Big Five parley includ.
ing Red China, u. S. Secretary
OF State Dulles would be willing
to reverse the previous American
position that Russia should attend
the proposed Korean political con.
ference only as a partner of Red
China and North Korea rather than
as a acknowledgement.
Following today's secret session.
the conference Secretariat released
only this information:
The ministers continued their
discussion on Item l (Russia's Big
Five conference proposal) of the
agenda and their restricted session
at the Allied Control Authority
Building ended at lis pm"
Western officials said the use
OF continued" to describe the dis.
cuSsion indicated it was not termi.
mated today and would be taken
up in a fourth secret meeting at
a time as yet not fixed.
The Western ministers made
plain to Molotov in yesterdays Sc.
cret session, 1t was understood.
that they have no intention
whatever Of accepting his five.
power conference demand, but that
they are deeply interested in hav-
ing the Berlin meeting break the
Communism. n. Command dead
lock over arrangements for q Ko.
rean peace settlement.
Progress along this line could
lead directly into negotiations for
peace in Indochina, Molotov re-.
portedly was told.
Following the session yesterday.
one Western source said the four
ministers had made "a shade Of
progress" Another said there was
evidence the East and West were
looking for common ground.
British and French diplomats
found some cause for hope in YES.
terday'S meeting because Molotoy's
reaction was not one of firm on.
position or rigid insiStence on all
points of his own views.
The British and French apparent.
ly got the idea that he might be
willing to make a new approach
TO Korean conference. No one
could be sure, however, that the.
Peiping government would 90
along with Molotov and the gov.