Foreign News: Plan with Furry Ears

Ever since the Foreign Ministers sat down together in Berlin on Jan. 25, the West had been looking for a major Russian effort—some elaborate plan offered as an alternative to the West's European Army. Said one diplomat: "We knew it would have long furry ears and sharp white teeth, but we didn't know exactly what shape it would take." Last week Molotov brought forth his plan. He called it "General European Treaty for Collective Security in Europe"—a GETO to replace NATO.

Facing the U.S. delegation across the rectangle of tables, the Russians looked smugly pleased with themselves as Molotov developed his plan for a 50-year treaty "open to all European states without regard to their social systems," and pledging mutual assistance in case of attack "in Europe." Both Germanys could belong. Occupation forces would be withdrawn from Germany except for "limited contingents,"—but with authority to return to quell any threat to internal security, e.g., the June 17 uprising.

"The Kids Have Grown Up." The sharp white teeth began to show when Molotov reached the clause banning "any coalition or alliance" whose purpose would "contradict" the purpose of the treaty. Molotov made clear that NATO and EDC both came under this heading. As Molotov neared the end of his proposals, the conference room was deadly quiet. Molotov, reading slowly and deliberately, came to Paragraph 9 and bared the sharpest tooth of all: the U.S. and Communist China would be invited to GETO "as observers." At the phrase, an involuntary, appreciative "ha" burst from somebody in the U.S. delegation, then swept them all into a spontaneous laugh. Dulles guffawed. The British and the French joined in.

The Russians were dumfounded. Molotov finally managed a sickly smile. Shaken, he finished out his proposal. But the air of smug satisfaction was gone.

Why had the old diplomat-magician failed? The tricks had always worked before. Explained one Western observer: "It isn't the trick which has changed. But the kids have grown up." The West had indeed grown up, and showed a surprising unity in defense. But the Russians have only aged rather than grown with the times. With practiced skill, the West's Foreign Ministers took up Molotov's GETO. It was clearly a proposal to push the U.S. and Britain out of Europe and lock the European countries up with an aggressive Russia.

Secretary Dulles made no attempt to argue the U.S.'s right to remain in Europe; he tactfully left that to his European partners. Nor did he enter an objection to the treaty, to which, under Molotov's plan, the U.S. would not be a partner. But he did point out that the U.S. was in Europe as more than an "observer." Twice, he pointed out, the U.S. had sent troops to Europe "at the urgent appeal and desire of threatened people . . . Now, for the third time in this century, we have sent forces back to Europe, and again the reason was that there were many in Europe who were afraid and who asked us to do so."