AUSTRALIA NOT CONSULTED

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24632, 31 July 1945, Page 5

AUSTRALIA NOT CONSULTED

Potsdam Ultimatum To Japan OBJECTION RAISED BY DR. EVATT (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec; 7 p.m.) SYDNEY. July 29. The Potsdam peace ultimatum tc Japan, issued in the names of Britain, the United States, and China, is severely criticised by the Australian Minister of External Affairs (Dr, H. V, Evatti. The foreshadowed terms of the peace were inclined to treat Japan more leniently than Germany, he said. "This is in spite of the fact that the slightest sign of tenderness towards Japanese imperalism is entirely misplaced, having regard to the outrageous cruelties and- barbarities systematically practised under the Imperialist regime," said Dr. Evatt. He complained that Australia was not consulted before the ultimatum was delivered. “The ultimatum was of fundamental importance to Australia, yet our first knowledge both of its terms and publication came- from the newspapers," he said. Dr. Evatt added that ever since 1941 the Australian Government’s policy had been that Australia, as an active belligerent, had the status of a party principal in every armistice and peace arrangement, both in Europe and the Pacific. He continued: "The validity of this policy has been accorded widespread recognition, and very recently assurances, of its general acceptance were received from the United, Kingdom Government. Special steps were rightly taken to secure the concurrence of China in the ultimatum, but Australia’s interest and concern are no less significant than those of China. Big Powers’ Leadership “In all Australia’s past statements of foreign policy, we have fully recognised the right of the initiative and leadership of the main belligerents in relation to preliminary discussions of the peace settlement, but before final and definite decisions are taken, nations like Australia*, which have been most active in the war are also entitled to participate through their accredited representatives in all relevant deliberations and conferences. Accepting the Big Powers’ leadership, it is clear that other nations which have shared the tremendous burdens and sacrifices of belligerency should have a correlative right to share in the planning of the peace. “In the particular case of the ultimatum to Japan this principle has been departed from. It is to be hoped that the United Kingdom Government will in future insist upon its full and frank recognition, In spite of the lessons that should have been learned from the many. early disasters of the Japanese war there are still some people who do not realise that the post-war security of the peoples of Australia and New Zealand, anjl of India, too,, is integrally bound up with the destiny of South-east Asia." “No explanation of. the failure to consult the ‘Australian Government about the ultimatum to Japan was .obtainable in London to-day." says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” “It is pointed out that the ultimatum was issued, not through the usual channels—London and Washington—but directly from Potsdam. ’ “Officials agreed that all the Dominions would normally be consulted on a matter of this kind.”