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 Occupation forces would be withdrawn from Germany except for "limited contingents,"--but with authority to return to quell any threat to internal security, e.g., the June 17 uprising.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."

Dulles had another shaft ready; he passed back a note to his advisers to ask whether it was too strong. Reassured, he reverted to Molotov's word "observer." "I have no doubt Mr. Molotov intended that as a poor joke. I am not sure it will be so accepted by the American people who still have fresh in mind the contribution in blood and treasure they made in Europe." Molotov's head jerked; his face flushed.

Bidault might have been forced to hedge or hesitate had Molotov confined himself to attacking the European Army. But Molotov had made a bad blunder: he attacked NATO as well. Apparently he did not realize that even EDC-haters in France are stout supporters of NATO. The thought that the U.S. might pull out of Europe and leave France alone with a resurgent Germany and a rapacious Russia sends chills down French spines. The moment Molotov brought in NATO, Bidault was on firm ground with French public opinion in saying: "European security does not mean only Soviet security . . . The French people have no desire whatever to sever the tried and trusted friendships with the U.S. and Great Britain ... If the forces of these countries had been on French soil before the second World War, it would never have happened."

Eden, who spoke last, spoke briefly. But it was he who uttered the final word to Molotov's plan: "Unacceptable."

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