REARMING OF GERMANY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27466, 28 September 1954, Page 13

REARMING OF GERMANY

Nine-Power Talks To Begin (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) BONN, September 27. The West German Chancellor, Dr. Adenauer, who will be the last of the Foreign Ministers to reach London today for the nine-Power Conference, will leave Bonn with high hopes of its success. Bonn observers last night said they thought the political barometer looked better than at any time in the last month, as reports came in from Washington and Paris to indicate that an acceptable formula for West German sovereignty and rearmament was at last emerging. Dr. Adenauer before leaving by air today was to hold a Cabinet meeting and to address a private session of the Bundestag (Lower House) Foreign Affairs Committee.

The United States Secretary of State (Mr Dulles) on arriving in London paid tribute to Mr Eden’s “effective initiative*’ after the failure of the European Defence Community Treaty. “The fact that the nine nations are meeting here so promptly to deal with this grave situation is, of itself, I think, a good augury for the future.’’ He repeated that the United States had no prearranged plans to present to the conference, believing that the initiative should be taken primarily by the European countries themselves. He was hopeful of good results because it was imperative that there should be good results, said Mr Dulles. The French Prime Minister (Mr Mendes-France) was greeted with applause and shouts of “Vive La France” as he arrived at London airport. Recalling his service as a war-time Free French airman, Mr MendesFrance told reporters: “No man who was in your country during the war can ever forget the splendid example which was given in this period. “We fought for high ideals which are still the same today, and this being so, I am quite sure we will perform good useful work at the conference.”

Mr Mendes-France dined privately last night with Mr Rene Massigli, the French Ambassador. He will probably see Mr Dulles today and dine with Mr Eden tonight.