CLASH BETWEEN MOLOTOV AND EVATT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 248, 1 August 1946, Page 5

CLASH BETWEEN MOLOTOV AND EVATT

A challenge on the vital issue of decisions by a majority was thrown out by Mr Hosa Fiyade (Yugoslavia) when the rules ..committee of the peace conference met at Luxemburg Palace to thrash out the procedure on which the main conference will be conducted. •

“It is . absolutely impossible by methods of majority voting to establish a strong basis lot a lasting peace,” Mr Piyatle declared. “The conference must first aim at reaching unanimity on all fundamental questions between all the Allies directly interested in such problems. States which are not directly interested may by objective recommendations contribute towards reaching such favourable agreement as to establish the decision of the conference on the strongest possible basis. Discussions bearing on a simple majority or a two-thirds majority would constitute a wrong approach to our problem. Unanimity must always remain the ultimate aim of the conference.” »

The Netherlands Foreign Minister, Baron Boetaiaer Van OOsterhout, attacked the Big Four’s proposed rules as not in conformity with the sovereignty of medium and small Powers. He proposed that the permanent chairmanship of .the conference should be given to the French, as the host nation, instead of rotating among the Big Four or Big Five. '

- The Netherlands also opposed proposals for a two-thirds majority rule, suggesting that a simple majority was sufficient. The only conclusion that could be reached Avas that the Big Pour wanted to relegate States Avitli lesser material resources to the role of advisers.

Mr James F. Byrnes (United States) in a speech at the plenary sessions this afternoon said: “However difficult may be the paths of international co-operation, the United States is determined not to return to the poF icy of isolation. We must try to Understand one another even when Ave cannot agree. We must never accept disagreement as final. If the principal Allied States had not attempted tp harmonise their vieAvs before this conference, I hesitate to say how many months the conference would have to continue Avhile endeavouring to reconcile their positions.”

Declaring that the United States would stand by its agreements in the Council, Mr Byrnes said: “If the conference should by a two-thirds vote

PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE

Delegates Display Some Warmth

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Received This Day, 10 a m.) PARIS, July 31. A clash between Dr. H. V. Evatt (Australia) and Mr Molotov (Russia) marked the opening meeting of the peace conference’s committee of procedure, says the Paris correspondent of the Associated Press. As soon as the meeting opened, Dr. Evatt nominated M. Paul Henri Spaak (Belgium) as chairman. Mr Molotov countered with the nomination of Mr Edward Kardelj (Vice-Premier of Yugoslavia). A debate raged across the table for more than an hour, with delegates displaying considerable warmth. JM. Spaak was eventually elected, with Mr Kardelj as vice-chairman. The committee, decided to admit the Press to its meetings* and also decided to recommend to the plenary session that all meetings of the conference henceforth be open to the Press.

Wang Chih-chien, Chinese Foreign Minister, said the Victors should not impose terms which, not only give reactionary elements Jn.the defeated countries a chance to. rise again, but deprive the democratic forces of any opportunity to survive and consolidate. The conference adjourned til! to-morrow.

The Egyptian Council of Ministers decided to send a delegation to Paris in an effort to obtain a seat at the conference and also sent messages to the Big Foiir Foreign Ministers urging the claims of Egypt to a seat, states a Cairo message.

make contrary recommendations, the United States will use its. influence to secure the adoption of that recommendation by the Council of Foreign Ministers.”

Mr Byrnes said democracy must be given a chance to grow where tyranny had' stamped it out. Democracy could not be imposed or taught at bayonet point. As terror inspired terror, so good will could inspire good Avill. We did not want a peace of vengeance. “We Avant to plant the seeds of future peace, not the seeds of future Avars,” he added. “Above all, we must get back to the conditions of peace without delay. A prolonged mass occupation of other countries after thb'y have been effectively disarmed is not the way to get or to guard peace.” Mr Attlee, leading the British delegation, said: “We are seeking to make a beginning in re-establishing normal relations among nations by bringing back to the European family five erring nations. We should not devote ourselves to examining historical claims or the supposed interest of particular States. We should keep before our minds the simple objective of re-' moving from the minds of the common people the brooding fear of an other Av’ar. We must seek to make Europe a - place in which people live securer, happier lives. “Let us not forget that there is a very real danger of Germany and Japan causing trouble again, if dissension is alloAVed to split the Allied nations,” he concluded.