Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-06-24

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an international commission
including representatives Of
India, Poland. oslovakia
and Pakistan, but that commit
! tee would have had no authority
over the joint committee.
f. These proposals inspired little
confidence in the remaining del
egations and we thought that
joint committees of this kind
would be useful only if there was
no disagreement among their
members and after eight years
of fighting we thought that an
improbable proposition on which
to- base our work.
f I thought it necessary to say
that if these could not be re-
solved it would be the duty Of
the conference to admit its
failure.
+ Negotiations were resumed at
the beginning of last week in a
better atmosphere and eventually
the outcome was the agreement
Of June 10. This provides for
meetings between military repre-
sentatives of the two sides for
Laos and Cambodia and their
purpose to bring about an ar
mistice. The military commands
would begin their examination
by studying questions relating to
the withdrawal of armed forces
and all foreign military per-
sonnet.
The present position was that
there were three sets Of military
discussions proceeding or about
TO begin. -
One was Wet Nam, which had
been going for about three weeks.
and the other two were for Laos
and Cambodia. All three had
been asked to report to the con-
ference at the latest by July 10
and it was then for the confer
ence to pronounce on this work.
Once this had been agreed we
thought there was little purpose
in the foreign ministers them
selves staying in Geneva. but it
was agreed among us that we
would consult together as soon
as the reports Of the military
representatives were received
and then decide about our re-
turn to Geneva to complete the
work of the conference.
willing to Return.
I am very willing to return if
I can make any contribution
to peace.
Another difficulty was the alb
sence of normal diplomatic re-
lations between some countries
represented at the conference
for the Indo-C Chinese matters.
It was unique in my expert
ence and I hope will not be re-
peated, but somebody had to
provide a channel of commune
cations even at the risk of be-
ing called a "Municheer."
One result of the conference
was an improvement in Anglo
Chinese relations. This had al
ready had a number of conse-
quenceS of which the House was
aware.
Throughout the conference we
had daily contact with our
United States and French allies.
We worked closely together
and not even sensational rumors
of which there were one or
two-ever affected our co-opera-
ton.
We are very glad to be going
again Ito Washington to dis
cuSS in freedom and in frank
ness, as is our custom, the many
problems we have to face to-
gether.
On my way home from Geneva
1 was glad to have an opportu-
nifty to meet Mr.. Mendes- France
in Paris. He has courageously
pledged himself to seek a settle
ment of the Indo-C China question
within a month. I feel sure the
house will wish him all success
and will welcome the fact that
ne is to meet Mr.. Chou-En-lai
today.
The final agreement at &C.
neva will not depend on us and
our allies and associates alone.
It should be clear to all that the
hopes Of an agreement will be
jeopardized if active military
operations IN Indo-China were
to be intensified while negotia-
tions for an armistice are pro-