Status of Berlin, August-December 1959 109



    Mr. Stone said that the Chancellor had mentioned that he was fre-
quently being asked whether he had any new proposals to make. The
Germans could not be in the position of asking the Allies to diminish
their rights in Berlin, the Chancellor observed. He did say that the Fed-
eral Government had prepared certain plans, but these were known
only to four members of the Government: himself, Globke, Krone, and
Schroeder. Although he did not disclose what these plans were, the
Chancellor suggested that Stone might consult subsequently with Dr.
Globke who would outline them to him. In a subsequent conversation
with Globke, Stone continued, he did get a somewhat confused as well
as incomplete account of these proposals. As far as he could make out
they amounted to the following:
    The Western Powers should propose that elections be held within
five years in each of the two parts of Germany. The first question to be
posed to the electorate would be "Are you in favor of German reuni-
fication?" A UN Commission could be introduced to supervise this
plebiscite to ensure its freedom. A further question to be posed would
be "If you are in favor of German reunification, do you want to join
the
Warsaw Pact or NATO?" If the vote favored entry into the Warsaw Pact,
then Western Germany would be demilitarized. If the vote favored en-
try into NATO, then East Germany would be demilitarized and NATO
troops would be banned from this area. In commenting on these propos-
als Dr. Globke said that there was, of course, no doubt as to how the Ger-
mans would vote in such a plebiscite if they were free to express their
convictions. Moreover, there was no idea that the Soviets would accept
such a proposal.
    In summarizing his impressions of the Chancellor's position, Mr.
Stone said that he was impressed by the Chancellor's statement that the
Germans would not propose anything which would diminish Allied
rights in Berlin. On the other hand, the implication was left that, if the
Allies made such proposals, then obviously the Germans would have to
consider them.
    The Secretary said he could assure Mr. Stone that Mr. Murphy's
resignation was not in any respect motivated by alleged policy differ-
ences, nor did Ambassador Bohlen's return to the Department have any
connection. The Secretary outlined some of the factors which in his view
had influenced Mr. Murphy's decision. He suggested that Mr. Stone
would be justified in writing von Lokhardt along these lines. Mr. Stone
said that he would, accordingly, write a discreet letter on this subject.
However, he also thought it would be a good idea if Mr. Murphy would
write to the Chancellor himself. The Secretary said he would pass on this
suggestion upon Mr. Murphy's return from leave.
    The Secretary said that the Chancellor had some basis for concern
on his second point. The American Government was faced by a difficult