QUEBEC PARLEYS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 204, 28 August 1943, Page 5

QUEBEC PARLEYS

Probable Successor Named

OUTSPOKEN COMMENT

"Ended On Note Of Flatness

And Frustration"

N.Z. Press Association—Copyright

Rec. 2 p.m.

LONDON, Aug. 27,

In one of the most outspoken leading articles yet published on the Quebec discussions, the Daily Mail says the conference ended in an undisguisable note of flatness and frustration. In both Britain and America there is disappointment, bewilderment and a vague feeling that politically something has gone wrong. Over all is the shadow of a great Kremlin mystery.

Moscow, Defore the talks began, the paper continues, told the world that Russia was not invited. The removal of M. Litvinoff, Soviet Ambassador to the United States, from Washington was announced in the middle of the conference. The explanations of Russia's non-participation sounded reasonable enough, but it was not surprising that the suspicion spread that there was some kind of political rift between Britain, America and Russia, a suspicion further strengthened by reports of a serious quarrel between Mr. Sumner Welles, who is reputedly pro-Russian, and Mr. Cordell Hull. A general clearing of the air has become imperative, states the paper, and in this regard the Russians have got to offer some assistance. The Untied States is calling a three-Power conference to examine such divergencies as exist, and to hammer out an agreed war and post-war policy. The Russians in particular would do well to be less enigmatic. Russian Aloofness Their present aloofness, though to some extent understandable in view of their terrific military task, has ceased to be helpful. The complete lack, of knowledge of Russian hopes and intentions after the war keeps Finland and Rumania bound more closely to Germany, sustains doubt in the minds of Poles and encourages well disposed neutrals like Turkey and Sweden to remain outside the struggle if they can, and further encourages die-hards like Britain and America to withdraw more closely into their worn-out political shells, so making the task of permanent world conciliation more difficult. A deep and close British-American understanding is a good, indeed vital, thing. A deep and close Britislv American - Russian understanding would be something very much better. It can be attained only if all the three high Powers concerned co-operate.

SUMNER WELLES

DIPLOMATIC RIFT Involving U.S. Relations With Soviet Union N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 11.30 WASHINGTON, Aug. 27. It is reported that the resignation of Mr. Sumner Welles, formerly Under-Secretary of State, is regarded by observers in Washington as a triumph for the reactionary forces of the State Department. The Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, refused to comment on Mr. Welles' position on his return from Quebec, but the Washington correspondent of the New York Times, says he left little doubt that Mr. Welles had been dropped and that a statement would be made later.

Mr. Welles informed ambassadors in Washington that his resignation had been tendered to President Roosevelt. He conveyed the news of his resignation—which has not yet been officially confirmed—in per-

sonal letters to various friends in diplomatic circles with whom he has been long associated. The letters were dated August 22, one day before the announcement from Mr. Welles' office that he would be out of town for a few days. Mr. Welles said in his letters to ambassadors that since President Roosevelt had accepted his resignation he no longer had an official appointment with them. Commenting on the position, the newspaper P.M. says that in time of peace "ganging up" of politicians against an Under-Secretary of State might be reprehensible, but by no means tragic. However, in time of war, this political gangsterism, aimed at a man who, in spite of fumblings and evasions, has worked almost alone in the direction of democratic war and collective peace, becomes an appalling act of political sabotage. Mr. Welles, continued the paper, has been thrown out when great military and political issues are at stake. Foremost among these is that involving United States relations with the Soviet Union.

Referring to the probable appointment of Mr. Breckinridge Long, Assistant-Secretary of State, as Mr. Welles' successor, the Washington correspondent of P.M. says Mr. Long's appointment would be regarded in the Soviet and elsewhere as a sign that the southern reactionary wing of the Democratic party is in full control of American foreign policy. . . Observers in Washington say that Mr. Welles, although opposed to reaction, is scarcely to be described as a radical. Although temperamentally unsympathetic to radicalism, he came to believe in the importance of an enterprising and progressive foreign policy. He successfully lined up Latin-America behind the United States over Mr. Hull's head and also urged that the United States could not ignore the great democratic forces that were stirring in Europe.

Mr. Breckinridge Long is a lawyer by profession, and was United States Ambassador to Italy from 1933 to 1936. Since 1940 he has been Assistant-Secretary of State. He is 62 years of age.

rsuch ol the cabio news on this page as Is so designated has appeared in The Times, and is sent to this paper by special permission. It should be understood that the opinions are not those ol The Times unless stated to be so.]