ACCUSATIONS BY MOLOTOV

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24983, 18 September 1946, Page 7

ACCUSATIONS BY MOLOTOV

STATEMENT AT PEACE CONFERENCE ANGLO-SAXON POWERS’ POSITION (Rec. 9 (S.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. ‘‘The Americans are expected to re-j ply to Mr Molotov’s unfortunate statement before the Italian Political and Territorial Commission,” says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian” in a dispatch from Paris. “Mr Molotov’s statement reflected the impasse which relations between the Eastern and Western Powers have reached. He was not only seeking the best way to secure Jugoslav domination over Trieste but also developing the standard Russian argument that the Anglo-Saxon Powers are endeavouring to impose their will on the Soviet. “He launched the accusation on May 27, since when it has been the constant theme of Soviet propaganda. British and American imperialism have both been made to appear equally nefarious, and sharing the identical aim of preparing war against Russia. His statement on September 14 doubtlessly deepened the pull between east and west. “The view is being expressed in Paris that Mr Molotov is employing the technique to which the world became accustomed before 1939, and hopes to force the Anglo-Saxon Powers into a revival of appeasement. The main problems are; first, how long a lease has the grand alliance and the conception of peace so often expressed in war time and after the war, and, second, what chance has the Peace Conference of achieving even limited objectives if the East and West division persists, and, if the division is acknowledged, can the conference proceed.” .