INTERESTS IN BALKANS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24678, 22 September 1945, Page 7

INTERESTS IN BALKANS

versies from which Europe sunew. This may not be a bad thing in itseU, but it offers no t easy prospect of a peace settlement." "It is clear already that this conierence has accomplished little but to emphasise its difficulties; there .«■ scant signs of harmony in the Council of Foreign Ministers," says tejtatt> matic correspondent of .the Yorkshire Post." "One of the delegates in. forrns me that the divergences of view are continuing to mount Britainlong ago gave an undertaking to the Greeks that the Dodecanese" Islands would go to Greece. America and France are supporting the British caw. Ital> b*» also signified her readuwss to part with islands which are almost entirely inhabited by Greeks. But toe Soviet Government apparently doe* not agree. Mr Molotov, at a press conference, said that the Dodecanese should not be subjected- to the principle. Nobody has seriously suggested that the islands should be. Though nothing has been said as to what is-the Soviet desire in connexion with the Dodecanese,. I am reuawy informed that Russia wants, among other things, a naval base on I*r°s"The form of trusteeship over the Italian colonies is going to prove a cardinal issue. Apart from fact. that the principle of collective trustee, ship has never before been appuajf the whole problem, with its innerent complexities, is a test case m British eyes as to whether .there is to be genuine international collaboration to the building of thf peace. Was i»* sian desire to be given the truffcesMp ever. Tripolitama is not finding any support among the delegations. The Dominions' representatives have made it clear that they oppose this plan. I have heard it suggested that Russia will not press unduly for an moividual trusteeship for herself. "It is thought that, baulked for a moment in her desire to reopen the question of the Dardanelles. Russia is advancing her claims for a foothold in the Mediterranean in an effort to get' the council to discuss the Straits question."

The special correspondent of the New Zealand Press Association in London says that the decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers to refer the question of the Italian-Jugoslav frontier to their deputies, who are to work out a plan in detail, has been variously'interpreted, but the weight of dpinion tends to regard it as promising. M .. , The terms of reference of the deputies are regarded as clear and illuminating, and the second instruction (to report on an international regime for Trieste) is thought to indicate with some certainty the lines along which the final terms concerning Trieste may run The deputies now have the tasK of drawing up detailed recommendations for an Italian P*«* .**•*£»£; eluding/the future of Italy's former colonies. These will be considered for final decision by the Council at its next meeting, which is expected lo take place this year, perhaps in November. If it has done nothing else, this question of an Italian treaty has brought into the open the differing policies of the-big Powers. » The diplomatic correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian" says: What set out to be an introduction to the peace settlement has become more and more an exposition of conflict, aara speaking and hard bargaining were to be expected, but when all the latent problems of aligning separate interests are brought even into the half-light I of secret conference, the immensity 01 ! the task of composing difficulties is thrown into sharp relief. "Russia's strategic " deafens are .disclosed by her interest in positions that command the Mediterranean and its exits, and they embrace jalso the shores of the Red Sea. This alone 'opens a vista of conferences to .establish a system of world security in which the world can feel secure. Open disagreement on the Balkans countries was anticipated, but the whole dispute about *" governments, recognisable or unrecognisable, has given an impetus to airing both within and without the conference of all the political contro-