WESTERN POLICY FOR GENEVA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28870, 15 April 1959, Page 13

WESTERN POLICY FOR GENEVA

Concern At “Marked Lack Of Unity” (N.Z Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. British newspapers today expressed deep concern at what they considered to be a marked lack of unity in the Western Alliance in the present stage of world developments and in view of forthcoming East-West negotiations. Strong support was given to the value of ths recent Moscow mission of the British Prime Minister, Mr Macmillan. “Hopes of an agreed Western approach to negotiations with Russia—other than by a blank refusal to consider any change—have been badly shaken,” the “Manchester Guardian” said.

“That is the sober background against which the four-Power working party has started its meetings in London,” it said.

“Mr Macmillan’s initiative was an attempt—a good one, and apparently the only one so far—to provide a fresh Western approach.” the paper commented.

“It seems British ideas for a new agreement on Western access have been opposed by her Allies. “There seems to be little chance that new Western proposals will be made to test Russian reactions and to force Mr Khrushchev to display his own flexibility.” The “Scotsman,” after pointing out that the West has barely a month in which to agree on a common approach to the first stage of negotiation with Russia at the Foreign Ministers’ conference, added: “At the moment, the prospects are undeniably gloomy. There is a real danger that in the short time remaining, agreement will be reached only in a negative way by dropping proposals to

which some members of the alliance are tenaciously opposed.” “Depressing Line-up”

The “News Chronicle” commented: “Foreign Ministers apart, the line-up of Western heads of government is depressing. “President Eisenhower is not the man he was. Chancellor Adenauer’s iron will is openly fraying at the edges and he has gone to recuperate. General de Gaulle is more suspicious than ever after the Macmillan reconnaissance to Moscow. This could scarcely be described as a fit and happy band.” The “Daily Mail” commented: “If America supported Britain in the Middle East and Britain supported America in the Far East, Mr Khrushchev and Mr Mao would sing a different tune. “If a united West would take the diplomatic offensive for once, instead of always leaving it to the Communists, the world situation could be transformed overnight. “Until it does, such journeys as Mr Macmillan’s are very necessary.”