Briefing in Bermuda

With elaborate secrecy, a member of the U.S. delegation at the Big Three conference invited a few U.S. newsmen to a not-for-attribution summing-up of what had happened in Bermuda and what had not.

The three chiefs of government met, he said, "in response to the wishes of Sir Winston [Churchill], who thought it would be a good idea for us to get together and talk our common affairs over informally." The only concrete problem that required a decision was the recent Russian note expressing willingness to take part in a four-power foreign ministers' conference. "That," said the delegation member, "was dealt with satisfactorily* . . . There really was no appreciable difference [in our viewpoints]. It seems obvious that the Russians agreed to a four-power conference as a tactical move, with no change of heart. I think the conference can be profitable if we continue to press the Soviet Union in such a way as to expose the bankruptcy of its policy."

Question by a correspondent: What if the Russians try to stall EDC by keeping the conference dragging on indefinitely?

Answer: The world is getting pretty sick of propaganda conferences, and we will not be expected to sit there and listen to propaganda harangues.

Q.: Suppose the Soviet Union insists during the conference that Red China be brought into it?

A.: That is a subject the Russians could raise. If they do, our reply will be short and to the point.

Q.: Did the Bermuda meeting make any progress toward EDC?

A.: The present French government is in no position to give a commitment, and we sought none.

Q.: Were any alternatives to EDC considered?

A.: Sir Winston expressed hope that if EDC fails to materialize, some alternative will be found. It was the U.S. opinion that the alternatives to EDC are so feeble and inadequate that we did not wish to entertain them as serious topics of discussion.

* I.e., with a reply to the Russians suggesting Jan. 4 as the time and Berlin as the place.

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