The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1961-08-24
Washington
News Notes

FRANCE "SoSHSss
Senate Drama
WASHINGTON, DC. - Talks
are definitely in the works on
Berlin but just how they will
come about and when they will be
held is the question. II is thought
I'm Washington that Nikita Krush-
chev will 60 ahead with his treaty
signing with East Germany, but
that perhaps some arrangement
can be worked out with the Rus
Russians TO avoid a clash of arms
and authority in the routes and
airways leading to Berlin
Rrushchev continues to increase
the pressure on the West and his
latest threats, including the kill
ing of hundreds of millions of
people, are reminiscent of the
dictator threats of the thirties.
The most dangerous element in
the Berlin crisis is Krushchev's
threat to block the aid and land
routes through which the western
powers supply West Berlin. If he
does this, the West will resist
such efforts with military force.
Then fighting will be underway.
Fighting could start and about
war still be avoided, quite prob
ably. But no one knows that for
certain and il would be a danger
Gus situation. Nevertheless, the
Russians have additionally push
ed disputes TO the point of I'M
declared war fighting-witness
the Japanese and Russian battles
in Manchuria in the pre- World
War ii period.
IL fighting over the corridors did
start, II would have to be termi-
mated quickly or war would al
most certainly follow. The num-
Der one question i'm western CAPT
tails is whether Krushchev is just
testing western will or whether
he is, like a fox, pretending he
doesn't think war will result,
when he knows - down deep -
the West will fight over access
to Berlin.
II Krushchev feels that now is
the time for the communist World
to use its preponderant power
land il he is told that the Rus
SLAMS have that power) he might
be slyly pretending to feel we
will not fight over Berlin, know
ing we might. In this way, he
could always say the world drift
ed into war accidentally and es.
cape direct blame as an overt
aggressor.
The majority opinion is that
Krushchev will negotiate over
Berlin and does not want war.
However, he has put himself so
far out on a limb, and he is stalk
ing his country's prestige on the
issue to such an extent that he
might not be satisfied with min
or concessions on irritants, in
Berlin.
IL Krushchev would fight over
Berlin, he is carrying his country
into war in a very complicated
manner - but in a typically con.
fused and communist pattern.
The weakness of France, even
under President Charles de
Gaulle, who was supposed to
have brought stability to that
nation, worries u. S.
officials in Washington.
Everywhere there are reports
that revolt is likely in France at
any moment. II is said that Pres
ident De Gaulle is sitting on a
tottering throne, so to speak, that
he has many enemies and has
alienated many former support
ers.
This development comes at a
time when the West needs
strong France and needs the
troops which De Gaulle is think
ing of transferring to Europe be-
cause of the Berlin crisis. II
comes just as Frances negotia-
ton with Algerian Rebels have
broken down, again.
The communists are strong in
France. comparatively, as they
are in Italy. They are thought to
be at the bottom of DeGaulle's
Traditionally the COM
work to undermine any
strong regime. De Gaulle's
France has been the firsthasfway
stable and efficient French gov
eminent in decades. II il is to
fall now, ii will be a major blow
10 western hopes for a strong and
united free, western Europe.
Senator Richard Russell, leader
Of Dixie Senator's in the u. S.
has quietly lined up
enough support TO win the clo-
lure vote test expected to come
around September / in the upper
legislative body.
The test will come on a motion
10 change the cloture rule, from
! rule requiring two-thirds of the
Senator's voting to shut off de-
bate TO three-fifths. Russell needs