Evening star., 1961-04-12
BY EARL ii. VOSS
Star Staff Writer

President Kennedy and West
German Chancellor Adenauer
discussed methods of achieving
greater NATO unity in a 90
minute conference at the White
House today.
1t was the first of three
meetings the 85-year-old West
German leader is to have with
the 43-year old President to-
day and tomorrow.
Press Secretary Pierre Sal
niger said the two leaders had
a personal discussion" which
was a continuation of CONVEX
sations the Chancellor had be-
gun with former Secretary of
State Dean AcheSon, now a
presidential adviser on NATO,
in Bonn last week.
Mr.. Adenauer is known to
favor the Eisenhower admins
tration plan for providing
NATO with an independent
nuclear capability. Mr.. Ken
nedy is understood to be study
ing the plan but seeking the
views Of other NATO partners
before making a decision.
Meet With Advisers
The President and Chancellor
met with their Foreign Min
isterS and two other officials
this morning. Beside Secretary
OF State Rusk and Foreign
Minister Won Brentano, the
others present were Assistant
Secretary of State Foy Kohler
and the West German State
Secretary Karl CarStenS.
I The question of Berlin and
indications that Soviet Premier
Khrushchev might try again to
push the West out of the
isolated free world stronghold
were not discussed, officials
said.
Mr.. Adenauer was to return
to the White House for lunch
and then go to the State De-
partment for a tWo-hour con-
ference with Mr.. Rusk at 4
pm. This evening Mr.. Rusk is
to give dinner for the
Chancellor at the President S
guest house.
Flanked by advisers, the
chancellor arrived at the
White House at 9:55 am. and
was quickly led into the Presi-
dents office.
Reports from Bonn in ad-
vance of Mr.. Adenauer's de-
parture for Washington said
the German leader was worried
that the Kennedy adminiStra-
tion's efforts to improve rela-
tons with the Soviet Union
would slow the strengthening
Of the NATO defense system.
Mr.. Adenauer arrived here
last night and promptly de-
clared that 1--WE are prepared
to make contribution in
keeping with our abilities"
Expenses at Issue
One problem between the
United States and West Ger
many for many months has
been United States urging that
West Germany bear a greater
share of the cost of Western
expenses for defense and for
aid to underdeveloped coun-
tries.
Shortly after Mr.. Adenauer
left Bonn. the West German
government announced that it
would pay ahead of schedule
$587 million on its postwar debt
to the United States.
In addition to today'S meeting,
the two leaders will meet tomor-
row morning and afternoon.
f. The Chancellor flew to Wash
mgton in German jet airliner
and was met by Mr.. Rusk. It's
Mr.. Adenauer's ninth visit tc
the United States since he be-
came Chancellor IL years ago
1T is most opportune that
you could arrange to consult
With us at precisely this time
Mr.. Rusk said. when new
American administration i.
shaping the major policy line.
which We will expect to follow
during the years ahead.9
FavOrS Tough Line
Mr.. Adenauer's party in,
cluded his daughter, Mrs. Libetf
Wehan, and about a dozer
officials.
The Chancellor has the repu.
tation of always advocating 6
tough policy in dealings with
the Soviet Union. Reports from
Bonn have left no doubt tha
he was concerned about tn,
course of the new Kennedy ad
.ministration and wanted first,
hand information from tn,
President as to his future pol
icy.
Diplomatic officials said i