Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-17
Austria as q Stick?

AUSIIIO I'd u 0kI@N:
Although they have reason to be
encouraged by the Krenalin's apparent
willingness to end its 10-year holdout on
Austria, the Western powers still must
keep their fingers crossed. For this devel-
opment, while it conceivably may presage
marked change for the better in Soviet
policy, could also spawn serious new diff
culties in connection with efforts to
effectuate the Paris accords on arming
free Germany as a sovereign member of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
AS indicated in the joint statement on
the results of their Moscow meeting, For
eign Minister Molotov and Austrian Chan
cellor Raab have arrived at meeting OF
minds on all essential points. The most
important Of these points are those that
would have France. Britain and the United
States join Russia in supporting pledge
by Austria (1) never to be party to an
other AnSchluSS or union with Germany,
(2) to debar itself from becoming men,
Der of NATO or any other armed alliance,
and (3) not to permit the establishment
of foreign military bases on its territory.
If these conditions are met, then the
Kremlin will be ready-judging from what
Mr.. Molotov has said to Mr.. Raab-to sign
the independence treaty 1t has blocked
ever since the end of the Second World
War
Accordingly, since France, Britain and
the United States have raised no objection
to the pledge that the Raab government
is willing to make, there should be little
difficulty in reaching final treaty agree
ment in the relatively near future--asSun-
ing, of course, that the Russians do not
again torpedo the project with last
minute change Of mind and new demands.
The prospect thus seems bright for early
restoration of Austria's full freedom and
sovereignty, with all occupation troops to
be withdrawn perhaps no later than next
December 81, the date proposed by the
Kremlin. The Austrians therefore have
cause for rejoicing, and the West as
whole may hope that this reversal Of past
Soviet policy will help to decrease the
intensity Of the cold war and pave the
way for other peace promoting settle
n1entS.
But that hope is as yet only tentative
and tenuous at best. Actually, even II the
Austrian treaty becomes reality in the
months Immediately ahead, the Western
powers will have to reckon with the prob
ability that the Russians will exploit the
development as potent propaganda
weapon aimed at defeating the rearma-
ment Of free Germany. One can almost
hear Mr.. Molotov saying right now, "See
how Austria has become its own master
And you German people can have much
the same deal, with your country reunited
Be sensible. You can have your hearts
desire If you will only scrap the Paris
accords, stay out Of NATO and the Western
European Union, and emulate the Aus
TRANS as neutral nation standing aloof
from all military alliances"
Perhaps the men Of the Kremlin have
no such line of talk in mind. Perhaps
they have offered bright promises to Mr..
Raab solely to demonstrate their good
faith in preparation for a top-level Big
Four conference. But there is ample
ground for suspecting otherwise, and the
West must be on the alert accordingly.
Throughout Germany, and in France as
well, there is more than enough neutral
ism" to insure a large and attentive audi
ence for Moscow's 'antiarmament propa-
ganda, and in that sense the Austrian
treaty, when and If it comes into force,
may prove to be something less than an
unqualified blessing. In any event, nobody
should be surprised If the Soviets use it
as stick to beat down the Paris accords.