GERMAN COAL AND IRON

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25160, 16 April 1947, Page 7

GERMAN COAL AND IRON

VYSHINSKY’S CHARGES AGAINST BRITAIN (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. Mr Vyshinsky remarked during the course of a press conference in Moscow that the British Government had been drawing reparations in the shape of iron and coal from Germany. He was sharply taken up by the representative of the London “Daily Herald.” wh? asked: “Is Mr Vyshinsky aware that Britain has not received a single ton of coal from Germany since the war? If he is aware of this, will he be good enough to explain his motives in making a charge of this kind?” Mr Vyshinsky did not answer, but after a moment s obvious confusion he went on to refer to money which he claimed Britain was making out of German coal.

The “Daily Herald” representative then asked whether Mr Vyshinsky was aware that every penny Britain had received for German coal had gone to pay for German imports. Once again Mr Vyshinsky did not answer.

Recording the incident, newspaper correspondents who attended the conference say this is one of the few occasions when Mr Vyshinsky has been seen at a loss, and emphasise the necessitv for refuting as publicly as possible Russian propaganda against Britain.