Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-17
West Examines
Soviet Offer 10
End A-Tests

LONDON, June II R.-West-
ern delegates met in closed ses-
sion today to coordinate their
reaction to the Soviet Unions
surprise proposal for an inter-
nationally controlled ending Of
nuclear weapon tests.
For the first time the Russian
plan included Kremlin accept
ance Of scientific international
inspection teams on Soviet terri
tory as well as on the territory
of the United States, Britain and
in the Pacific.
Observers felt that the pro-
posal, regardless of the sincerity
with which 1t was put forward.
gave the Russians at least q
temporary propaganda advan-
ltage in the involved five-power
United Nations disarmament
talks in London.
Macmillan Under Pressure
Pressure, meanwhile, mounted
on Prime Minister Harold Mac
milan to push for a complete
exploration-if not outright ac-
ceptance-of the Soviet plan.
The western delegates got to-
Igether in advance Of a disarma-
ment subcommittee session later
in the day. The subcommittee is
made up Of representatives of
the United States. Britain,
France. Canada and the Soviet
Union.
The new Soviet proposal clear
lily was making an impact on
British political opinion. Brit
aims opposition Labor Party in
tensifled its campaign to get the
tests ended. Newspapers Of vari-
GUS political views cautiously sug-
gested that the time was APP
preaching for the British gov
eminent to make a new move.
In a weekend speech at a po-
llitical rally in Newcastle, Labor
Leader Hugh Gaitskell - who
would be Prime Minister in q
Socialist government-urged the
West to call the Russians hand.
Some may say that the Rus
SLAMS are not to be trusted and
don't really mean it." Mr.. Gait
skell declared. but surely the
right course then is to test the
Russians. not the bombs"
Broad Split Barred
The Soviet delegate at the
London talks offered Friday to
admit western inspectors II
agreement was reached on q
lnuclear test ban. He suggested
10 two or three year suspension
Iof tests. Western sources called
the offer q major step forward
in disarmament negotiations but
said many details must be clari-
fled.
Mr.. Gaitskell's speech to q
political rally in Newcastle dis
CLOSED o broad split over dis
armament between Britain's two
major parties just as the dis
armament negotiations appeared
to be making progress.
The opposition leader called
any idea Of holding up disarma-
ment until German reunification
Is achieved stupid. dangerous
and absurds s. %TN~
Those who talk like this. -
Mr. Gaitskeil said, ARE really
limiting that We might still 60
to war to bring about frontier
changes. that disarmament
would prevent US from going to
war and that therefore we
should reject o disarmament
agreement until we have forced
the Russians to agree to the
changes we want"
Prime Minister Macmillan in
sisted upon just such an idea in
a letter tC Soviet Premier Bull
ganin made public Saturday
night. The Prime Minister said
Britain cannot accept extensive
disarmament unless there are
parallel settlements" Of politi-
cal issues in Germany, Hungary
and the Middle East.
Red Proposal Studied
Mr.. Macmillan said that I'M
less the Russians agree to re-
unification Of Germany, there
Is little prospect Of Q satisfac-
tory settlement Of the other ma