Soviet Officials Show Change In Attitude

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27404, 17 July 1954, Page 7

Soviet Officials Show Change In Attitude

BERLIN, July 15. .The Soviet authorities in Germany Save adopted a marked change in the J°viet attitude to Allied officials and newspaper correspondents. Soviet courtesy and kindness «-o Western officials and correspondents risen to such a pitch that some Spaals recall the heyday of Sovietwestern cordiality in Germany shortly after the war. ’ soviet High Commission officials are accepting invitations in great force at big Western reception, staying than most other senior officials, showing a willingness for discusanyone there. tr- rae Soviet officials are inviting yestern correspondents to dinner, J?*} giving them unprecedented help o travel in or through East Germany Soviet visas are believed to have issued to non-Communist Westn correspondents in the last month f°r years. tpfjhed officials believe it was inviS* r *° show th e West that the Sor,'L \ n i° n is willing to raise the Iron Cnl! 3111 and loosen the grip of the vo ®munist Party on East Germany.

French spokesmen reported as Mr Molotov left Mr Mendes-France’s villa early this morning that Mr Molotov had been polite but unyielding. One said: “He was like a wall.” The result of these talks is regarded as a severe set-back to Mr MendesFrance, who is striving to get a settlement on Indo-China as quickly as possible to fulfil his pledge to the French nation of “peace by July 20—or I resign the Prime Ministership.” Until this morning it was believed that he was well on the way to achieving his goal. The French press has been lauding his efforts and his fellow diplomats at Geneva shared his optimism. Some conference sources said the new Soviet attitude might be tactical to obtain maximum concessions. Although no communique was issued on Mr Mendes-France’s talks with Mr

Molotov, it seems likely that the location of truce lines was one of the main topics because for hours the two men probed over a map of Indo-China spread under a reading lamp. Other stumbling blocks are reported to be armistice control and arrangements for elections after the armistice.

The French have not given up hope and Mr Mendes-France, alter his “strategy” meeting with his advisers, is planning to see Mr Krishna Menon, of India, who has resumed his unofficial mediation talks at Geneva.