APPORTIONING OF AUSTRIA

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24600, 23 June 1945, Page 7

APPORTIONING OF AUSTRIA

ALLIES AND RUSSIANS IN VIENNA

ALEXANDER REPORTS PROGRESS

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON. Jane 21. “Arrangements will soon be completed for the Allied representatives to join the Russians in Vienna,” said Field-Marshal Sir Harold Alexander at a press conference in Milan. “As soon as the zoning of Vienna city is completed the British, American, and French will take over their respective sectors. The reapportioning of Austria will follow, involving a Russian withdrawal to the eastward. “The Russians have been most friendly to the Allied ‘reconnaissance’ mission which is at present in Vienna, and which will shortly go to London. The Russians have shown every desire to have the Allies in Vienna with them without delay.” Field-Marshal Alexander said that the Allied Military Governments were gradually withdrawing from Italy, but they would remain in the disputed zones of Venezia Guilia, Aosta valley, and the South Tyrol until the peace settlement. He added that the Trieste agreement was being carried out smoothly. “The Americans are taking over the Aosta ‘Valley from the French. Everything is proceeding smoothly,” said Field-Marshal Alexander. He added that the transfer would probably be completed within 10 days, after which the territory would gradually be handed back to Italian administration, unless another, dispute arose with the French, in which case British and American troops would remain as trustees. Field-Marshal Alexander, who lunched with Allied and Italian generals. beckoned into the press conference the Italian, General Cadrona, whose partisans played an active part in northern Italy, and General Utili, commander of the Legnano Group in the Bth Army. Field-Marshal Alexander said: “These regular Italian army groups have done damned well. They are good soldiers, given good leadership and equipment.” He added that there was no military reason why the Italian armistice terms could not be published, but there might be upheavals and Allied troops might be required to maintain order if the people thought the terms were too hard. He believed that the Italians, by their contributions in the final stages of the war, had “worked teeir Eassage” to a better status than coelligerency.