Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-10
New Pressures
|ByRussia Seen
In Treaty Action
BY JOHN M. HIGHTOWER
Associated Press Stan Writer

Two seemingly unrelated de-
velopments in Moscow yesterday
indicated to United States off,
Gals that Russia is building up
a new campaign to smash West
ern plans for arming West Ger
many.
This Russian drive, combi-
nation of peace inducements and
threats, may well determine the
pattern of diplomacy in Europe
for the next two or three years
at least. The conflict there is
a long-range dispute as COM
pared with the prospects for a
war-or-peace showdown in the
Far East in the next few weeks.
The Far Eastern crisis is
closely linked with the long
range European problem. This
is because the influence which
Russia exerts over Red China
might help determine whether
the Chinese Communists act
against Matsu and Quemoy any
time soon.
Russia's attitude, in turn, will
very likely be determined by her
basic plans with respect to the
vital problems of Europe-prob-
lens which center on Germany.
General War Feared
American officials are not Ger
tain by any means that the
Russians can control the Chi
nese Reds. They believe, how
ever. that the Russians are try
ing, along with Britain and In
dia, to find some formula which
would avoid a United States Red
China clash that might flare
into general war.
The two developments, which
stirred considerable official in
terest here as fresh signs of the
main trend of Soviet policy.
were: 49,.
1.-The demand by Foreign Min
lister Molotov for early conclu-
sion of an Austrian state treaty.
2. Action by the Soviet govern
ment to cancel World War II
treaties of friendship and alliance
with Britain and France.
The Austrian action came in
a note which Molotov delivered
to United States. British and
French ambassadors. 1t did not
represent any essentially new
statement. Russia has been
talking increasingly about con-
Guiding an Austrian treaty.
Chancellor Raab is due
in Moscow tomorrow to see what
the Russians will offer.
Molotov Opposes Delay
Mr.. Molotov, however, put
heavy emphasis on getting the
job done without further delay.
Some authorities now think that
whatever demands Russia makes
for conclusion of the pact may
be within the limits of what the
Western powers can negotiate
and eventually accept. But no
officials here think that
Mr.. Molotov's sudden pressure
for an Austrian treaty flows from
a sudden humanitarian concern
for Austria's welfare.
The belief is rather that Russia
which would later hold up as
the ideal answer for the problem
of unifying Germany. That
would mean a neutralized united
Germany and such a concept
could well have much appeal
both in Germany and in France.
It appears to American ex-
perts that while the Russians
have lost battle to block rati-
fication of German rearmalnent
agreements, Moscow does not
believe it has lost the war. The
ratifications are all but finished
now. Secretary of State Dulles
believes that the last actions may
be taken by the end of April.
The major countries concerned,
France. Germany, Britain and
the United States, have COM
pleted their parts of the job.
Opens Way for German Troops
The establishment of Ger
legal position as a men,
Der of the North Atlantic Alli-
ance and the Western European
Union is just the beginning of a
long process. 1t merely opens the
way for the German army, air