EMPIRE DEFENCE CO-OPERATION

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24866, 4 May 1946, Page 7

EMPIRE DEFENCE CO-OPERATION

CONTROL OF ARMED FORCES

(Rec. 8 mm.) LONDON, May 2. When General Smuts gave his views on Empire matters at the conference of Dominion Ministers, he added weight to Mr Nash’s and Mr Chifley’s views that Empire security would be more effectively assured if the Dominions retained control over the disposition and command of their forces and looked after their own interests. He opposed the establishment of rigid machinery for defence co-operation, considering that although an interchange of views and a unified overall plan were most desirable, this should be achieved by informal liaison rather than by a formal Chiefs of Staff committee. The Ministers agreed, however, that there should be full cooperation among Britain and the Dominions in the research development of new weapons, including atomic energy. Tlie Ministers also discussed the problem of General Anders’s Polish Army in Italy, but made no attempt to consider, in detail whether members of the army, most of whom stated they did not want to return to Poland when disbanded, could be absorbed by the Dominions.

The Ministers will discuss tomorrow the question of economic cooperation In the south-west pacific area.

Indian National Army.—Of 14,000 members of the Indian National Army all have been released except 300, who have been detained for questioning. It is officially announced that no more members of the Indian National Army are to be tried.—London, May 2.