POWERS AGREE IN MOSCOW

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24093, 1 November 1943, Page 5

POWERS AGREE IN MOSCOW

ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY ROOSEVELT

TERMS NOT DISCLOSED (8.0. W.) RUGBY. Oct. 29,

Mr Roosevelt to-day announced that Britain, the United States, and Russia had come to an agreement at the Moscow conference. He said that documents were ready for signature, but he could not say anything about them yet.

A correspondent in Washington reports that the President told his press conference that the meeting in Moscow had been a tremendous success, both in concrete items of agreement and in spirit, which was amazingly good. “In naval terms,” he said, “it has been a happy ship, and personal relations were 100 per cent.” A full account of the military situation by Mr Churchill was handed by the British Foreign Secretary (Mr R. A, Eden) to Mr Stalin last night, according to a message from Moscow. Mr Eden was accompanied by MajorGeneral Sir Hastings Ismay, Chief of Staff to Mr Churchill.

British newspapers have hailed with enthusiasm Mr Roosevelt’s announcement about the Moscow conference. Leading articles describe this as even better than the news that has been coming in day after day from the battlefronts, and say it is just as shattering a blow to the Germans as the advances made by the Red Army. The “Daily Express” comments that if the conference has been a “tremendous success,” considerable agreement must have been reached on many important problems, including the conduct of the war, the methods to be adopted in dealing with the defeated enemy, the question of post-war frontiers. and the sharing of responsibility for keeping the peace once victory is achieved.

POST-WAR AIMS IN EUROPE VIEWS OF AMERICAN ISOLATIONIST WASHINGTON, Oct. 29. Continuing the debate in the United States Senate on Senator Tom Connally’s post-war policy resolution, Senator Burton K. Wheeled, the Democrat isolationist, said that a resolution pledging the United States to join other nations to prevent aggression Would increase the likelihood of confusion and national embarrassment on all sides after the War. Senator Wheeler asked: “Are we prepared to guarantee a peace which will give Russia a far larger share of Poland than even Hitler demanded? .Senator Wheeler said that he did not want to criticise Mr Stalin for doing what he believed to be best for Russia, or Mr Churchill for doing likewise for England. What he wanted to know was what was best for the United States. “Are we going to back Russia’s demands for a large slice of Poland, the Bosphorus, the Balkans, and the. Baltic States?” he asked. “Are we going to give Russia practically control of Europe? Will that be best for the United States? The American people want to see Europe settle her own problems by democratic processes, and free from domination by Germany, Russia, or any other great Power. We ought to be' working for some organisation in Europe which will dispense justice for all the contending races.” CHERBOURG DOCKS RAIDED

SEVENTH ATTACK IN FORTNIGHT

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Oct 31. Whirlwind and Typhoon fighterbombers returned to the assault oh the Cherbourg docks yesterday afternoon for the seventh time in less than two weeks At the same time Bostons escorted by the Czech Spitfire wing were successfully bombing the Maupertus airfield a few miles away. Within a few minutes of each other, two waves of fighter-bombers dived to 7000 feet tc release bombs on the docks. They saw bursts on warehouses in port and hits on the dry docks. No enemy aircraft were seen, bur the flak was intense and accurate. The Bostons also were not challenged by fighters and put bombs witn accuracy on-the airfield and buildings. All the aircraft returned. TWO German raiders were shot down over England last night, wnen a few of the enemy came as far as London. Some houses were wrecked. Bombs were also dropped in southeast England, causing some damage and a few casualties. Goering has just concluded a three weeks’ tour by aeroplane of southern and western Germany and parts oi occupied territory to inspect Luftwaite units and their preparedness for emergency. says the Berlin radio. Goering gave instructions for further air defence works.

CHANGE IN NAVAL BUILDING IMPROVED POSITION IN ATLANTIC (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 30. The discontinuance of plans tor the construction of 427 anti-submarine warships, including 305 destroyer escorts, was justified by the improvement m the submarine situation in the Atlantic, said the Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Frank Knox), who pointed out that the actual construction had not commenced and that the change in the programme would enable the United States to build vessels for amphibious operations throughout the world. , ... . Colonel* Knox announced that increasing activities in the Pacific made it advisable to improve repair facilities on the west coast. Therefore the construction of three cruisers, seven destroyers, and nine tugs had been transferred to east coast yards. Colonel Knox said American submarine activities against Japanese shipping were proceeding at full speed with steadily increasing forces.

Housing in Australia. —A shortage of more than 250,000 houses in Australia is indicated by evidence collected by the Commonwealth Housing Commis-; sion.— Sydney, OcWbfif - ,f *