Evening star., 1959-02-14
Berlin Dunoer

Montanas Senator Mansfield has
made a responsible and constructive
contribution to the debate on the Berlin
German problem.
The. Mansfield speech is not a par
tisan attack on Mr. Dulles or the Eisen-
hover administration. 1t is, rather, a
notable effort to focus public attention
on the great danger which lies ahead,
especially with respect to Berlin, and
to stimulate consideration of new ap-
proacheS by the West to this problem.
The Russians have announced that,
unless an agreement is reached, they
intend to pull out of Berlin on May 27
and hand over their occupational re-
sponsibilities to the East Germans. We
should assume that they mean what
they say; and that Western protests will
not stop them. 1t is in this context that
Senator Mansfield, in what he described
as carefully measured words, expressed
to the Senate his belief that "juSt ahead
lies the most critical period which the
United States will have had to face since
the conflict in Korea" At stake, he
said, are the "liveS of tens of millions of
human beings, Americans included"
This is sober estimate, not an alarmist
forecast, and it is of high Importance
that this be understood.
Senator Mansfield believes that Ger
many is going to be reunified-and by
the West and East Germans themselves.
This will come about peaceably or by
force, and the latter course almost GER
tainly would mean an enormously de-
Structive war. Mr.. Mansfield suggests
a start in Berlin, hoping that this may
produce patterns of unification which
would be applicable to the problem of
peaceful alderman uniflcation. =.
In any event; he urges that Western
policy, and particularly United States
policy, be redeSigned to accommodate
and encourage peaceful unihcation.
II submit" he said, that a policy
which merely clings to an unrealizable
slogan Of free alderman elections,
which does not pursue German unifica-
tion by other means, is no policy at all.
1t Is a Straitjacket. 1t is an excuse for
1mmobility. It may well lead down the
blind alley of an unnecessary conflict
or disastrous diplomatic retreat,
The Montana Senator offered nine
points for consideration The first is
rather vaguely stated that forces
representing the concept Of freedom
In peace" not be driven out Of Ber-
lin. What he apparently has in mind
is that German forces should be sub
stituted as soon as possible for West
ern forces. in Berlin. These German
forces would be fully supported by
NATO guarantees. In any plan of
unif1cation, he says, East Germans as
well as West Germans must be free to
express political preference-even
though the expression, in the case of the
East Germans, may be recorded only in
East Germany. Finally, Mr. Mansfield
strongly urges search for agreements
which might lead to limitation of arma-
mentS through Germany and Central
Europe-even though this would entail
genuine consideration Of Communist
sponsored plans.
In word, Senator Mansfield wants
the West to get of dead center and
begin serious work on a realistic plan.
His specific suggestions may not be the
best, nor does he contend that they are.
And 1t is true, of course, that Mr.. Dulles,
prior. to his latest illness, seemed to be
moving closer to the Mansfield point Of
view.
But words are one. thing; a policy
Is something else. The West has had
plenty OF slogans to fit the German sit
uation. Slogans, however, are not a
policy, and it is a policy which is so
urgently required. =.