Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-05-19
CONFERENCE
Continued From First Page

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The Western official said Mr..
Gromyko replied firmly that
this could not be considered.
So far, the exchanges with
Mr.. Gromyko have failed to
produce any development ca
pable of changing the pessi-
mistic estimate with which
United States Secretary of
State Christian Herter, at
least, came here. The confer
ence may go on for several
weeks more.
The Western powers are pre-
pared to present to Mr.. Gro
myko their version of prin-
ciples for a German peace.
treaty, the first principle being
that a treaty must be made
only with a unified Germany.
Since Russia wants a treaty
with divided Germany, United
States officials see no prospect
for serious negotiation.
Another danger facing the
Western allies was the posi-
bility that Mr.. Gromyko could
exploit the known differences
in the Western camp by play
ing of one ally against an
other
u. s. Stand Is Moderate
The Western ministers are
united in support of the Ger
man package proposal. But
France and West Germany
favor a tough "all or nothing"
line in dealing with Russia.
The British feel that even
though the Russians lever will
accept the whole plan, they
may come to an agreement on
some parts of it. The United
States stand lies somewhere
between the two extremes.
In rejecting the package, Mr..
Gromyko said yesterday he
prepared to discuss its pro-
posals for a start on disarma-
ment, a non-aggression declara-
ton by the powers, creation of
a mixed committee of East
and West Germans to pull the
two parts OF Germany closer
together. and establishment of
an arms limitation zone in
Central Europe.
Among those issues, the pro-
posal for an arms limitation
zone holds the greatest risk of
splitting Western ranks.
In the package. this was
closely tied in with progress
on German reunification. AS
an end in itself, however, the
United States, France and West
Germany strongly oppose set
ting up Central European zone
in which arms would be lin
tied on grounds it would help
Iperpetuate division of Ger
many and might result in a
shift of military balance I'M
favorable to the West. The
British IN the past have ad-
yocated such a zone as a starter
toward disarmament.
A United States spokesman
told reporters Mr.. Gromyko's
speech was disturbing and
disquieting."
Assistant Secretary of State
Andrew H. Berding said, par
ticularly distressing was his
unrealistic statement that Ger
man unification could not be
discussed at this conference OF
any other" The Soviet posi-
ton has always been that Ger
man reuniflcation must be ar
ranged by the West and East
German governments only, moi
by the Big Four.
A French spokesman said
Mr.. Gromyko's attack on the
Western program brought nc
progress to the conference" He
added. however, that the West
srn ministers would persist ir
trying to get across to the Rus.
slams an explanation Of Their
plan.
Peace Plan Under Fire
Although Mr.. Gromyko sale
he found points in the Western
plan he would negotiate on
Mr.. Herter rejected the Soviet
proposals entirely. These cal
for conclusion of separate peace
treaties with both West anc
East Germany. German reuni.
f1cation to be worked out by
the two German regimes anc
withdrawal of allied troops
from West Berlin.
Speaking for the West, Mr.
Herter concentrated his mali
fire on the peace treaty pro