Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-05-02

Although it may actually ask for
much more than 1t gives, the Soviet
proposal for mutual American Russian
aerial inspection is by far the most en-
couraging response that the Kremlin has
made thus far to President Eisenhower's
plan for "open skies" between our two
countries.
This plan-aS presented by the PreSi-
dent at the 1855 Geneva summit" con-
ference and as subsequently Endorsed by
Admiral Radford, chairman of our Joint
Chiefs of Staff-enviSions three major
types Of cooperation. First, the United
States and the Soviet Union would COM
NIT themselves to a complete exchange
OF military blueprints covering such mat
tiers as the deployment of armed forces
and the location Of key airfields and SUBJ
marine bases. Second, our two countries
would set up system of unlimited, but
monitored, aerial surveillance over each
others territories (including facilities in
allied countrieS) to verify the information
exchanged and to guard against violations
and evaSions. And third, in keeping with
the Kremlin'S own suggestion, there would
be ground inspection teams (Americans
in Russia, and Russians in America) at
important railroad functions, seaports and
similar strategic points.
When he first submitted his "open
skies" idea to the Russians, the President
emphasized that he was seeking to CON
vince everyone of the great sincerity of
the United States" in striving to ease
international tensions and take "a prac-
tical step" toward strictly reciprocal
system OF reconnaissance, or policing, that
would provide both America and the
USSR with very large measure of mutual
protection against the possibility Of great
surprise attack" In the suspicion-ridden
atomic hydrogen age. Later, In testimony
before subcommittee of the Senate For
eign Relations Committee, Admiral Rad
ford declared that such an ARRANGEMENT.
although not absolutely foolproof, would
be an insurance policy that could prac-
tically guarantee that no surprise attack
would be launched Of sufficient magni-
tude to destroy either side."- The
Kremlin, however was quick to scoff at
the proposal as an espionage gimmick
dreamed up by our Central Intelligence
Agency.
But now the Soviet attitude, which
has been undergoing revision during the
past year, seems appreciably different.
At any rate, according to the proposal
1t has just presented to the United Ma
tons Disarmament Subcommittee in Lon
don, the Kremlin has offered to open up
a great part Of its territory to American
aerial inspection II the United States
opens up a comparable area to Russian
surveillance. At first glance, the offer
would seem to ask that we expose the
most strategic parts of our country to
such inspection in exchange for being
allowed to look primarily at the waste
lands Of the USSR. But we ought not
to Jump to this conclusion too fast. II
Mr. Khrushchev and his colleagues are
really serious about changing their minds
In favor Of "open Skies" then it should
be possible to negotiate with them an
agreement that would be genuinely re-
ciprocal In character.
In any event, this latest Soviet offer
which should lend added interest to
the current meeting of NATO's minis
terial council in Bonn-ought certainly
to be given the most careful study. For
II 1t is sincere in intent, it may open the
way to real progress toward disarmament
and trustworthy peace.
The n;e%r;r%Se Inee