The Soviet leader told Secretary of State George P. Shultz in a five-hour meeting that although negotiators from the two sides had resolved most remaining obstacles to a treaty abolishing medium- and shorter-range nuclear missiles and had made progress toward reducing longer-range weapons, that was not enough to justify the promised meeting later this year.

"Delaying consideration of I.N.F. could be used to achieve a better negotiating position here," Senator Humphrey said, referring to the treaty abolishing each superpower's land-based medium- and shorter-range missiles.

Mr. Gorbachev's arrival on the White House Lawn and the signing of a treaty abolishing medium- and shorter-range nuclear missiles were broadcast live tonight, delaying the planned television showing of a 1939 American love story, "Intermezzo," starring Leslie Howard and Ingrid Bergman.

If a treaty abolishing medium-range missiles in Europe is to be ratified by the Senate before President Reagan leaves office, it is generally accepted that it must be drafted and submitted to the American lawmakers by March or April of 1988.

In 1840, while negotiating for the release of two Britons, Denman also negotiated a treaty abolishing the slave trade in the territory of the Gallinas, liberating 841 slaves.

One statement said the treaty abolishing intermediate-range missiles that will be signed by President Reagan and Mikhail S. Gorbachev in Washington next week was "a milestone."

With British guns trained on Tunis, the dey of that country signed a treaty totally abolishing Christian slavery.

Americans Are Expected to Go If President Reagan and Mikhail S. Gorbachev sign the treaty abolishing such weapons as scheduled on Dec. 8, work at the launch sites will stop.