Evening star., 1954-10-22
Germany Invited Into NATO,
utMendes- France Won't Sign
Unless Soor Issue Is Settled
Frenchmun Joins
In Bid, But Moy
Delay Agreements
BY the Assoeioted Press

PARIS, Oct. 22.-With the
threat of complete failure Of
French German talks on the
Saar overshadowing their deci-
sion, the IA members of the
North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
tion today invited West Ger
many to join their alliance.
French Premier Pierre Men
des-France Joined in the invi-
tation. Earlier he told reporters
he will not sign any agreements
reached here this week unless
he gets satisfactory settlement
of the Saar dispute.
AS the NATO Council voted,
French and West German nego-
tiations were reported still dead
locked.
West German Chancellor Kon-
rad Adenauer was a guest as the
council approved West Ger
many's admission as NATO's
18th full member. AS all Coun-
Gil actions must be, the decision
was unanimous.
French Cabinet Backs Premier.
Mr.. Mendes-France made his
statement concerning the Saar
with the full backing Of his cab
met, which a few moments be-
fore had unanimously indorsed
his policy and actions in the
conferences here this week.
His statement, in effect, set q
24-hour deadline for France and
West Germany to come to terms
over the future status of the tiny
frontier area, which is rich in
coal and steel.
Plans have been made for the
signing tomorrow afternoon Of
accords to restore West German
sovereignty and enlist the Ger
mans as a full partner in the
Western defense system.
Germans Reaffirm Demands.
The French Premier already
has made it plain he will not
submit these accords for the
new Western European Union
to the French Parliament unless
there is a Saar settlement.
AS Mr.. Mendes-France emerged
from the cabinet meeting. West |
Germany's government and OPP
position leaders agreed on q
joint position on the Saar, re-
affirming German demands
which the French thus far have |
rejected.
The Premier told reporters |
the West Germans had con-
fronted France with ga new set |
of conditions" for a Saar settle
ment which he could not ap-
prove.
Negotiations Stalled.
German sources said the Saar
negotiations are deadlocked de-
spite a lengthy meeting between
deputies for the chancellor and
for the Premier late last night.
Before the Premier left the
cabinet session, a government
spokesman said the German
position had "stiffened" much
beyond what had been feared.
He said that If Mr.. Mendes-
France signed other agreements
without getting a settlement of
the Saar issue, it is evident"
that the National Assembly
might refuse to ratify them.
Mr.. Adenauer met for more
than an hour today with So
cialist Party Chairman Erich
Ollenhauer to frame the German
bipartisan approach on the
Saar. Their demands were re-
ported to include political free
dom for pro-German parties in
the Saar. closer economic rela-
tions with Saarlanders and
French recognition that the
Saar regime is only a provi-
sional one subject to review in
q final German peace treaty.
Sovereignty Approved.
Despite the Saar snarl, the
foreign ministers of the United
States, Britain, France and West
Germany quickly approved the
final texts of agreements to end
the Western occupation of Ger
many and return virtually COM
plete sovereignty to the West
Germans.
Strict controls for the new
German army were reported
agreed on by the foreign min
listers who yesterday arranged a
Western European Union de-
fense pact. Informants said the
controls would apply until 1898. |
Without unanimous consent of
the WEU. the Germans cannot |
have more than six motorized |
divisions, four tank divisions and
two mechanical infantry di-
visions, plus special corps troops. |
The air force will be limited to |
1926 fighters and medium
bombers. The naval force will be
allowed coastal patrol boats.
Manufacture of atomic weapons
will be prohibited.