SOVIET PROPOSAL FOR TALKS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26265, 9 November 1950, Page 7

SOVIET PROPOSAL FOR TALKS

BIG THREE CONSIDER POSSIBILITIES

(Rec. 7 p.m.) PARIS, November 7. A well-informed source in Paris said to-night that the Big Three Western Powers would willingly meet Russia for four-Power talks, but only if the conference covered all the world’s trouble spots and not Germany alone. He explained that America, Britain, and France would neither accept nor reject outright the latest Russian proposal for four-Power talks. Instead, they were now deciding whether to accept on condition that the conference was made a general discussion, or to submit a counter-proposal for such a meeting. The French spokesman said it would be of no avail to discuss the rearmament of Europe, including Germany, unless there was a discussion of the circumstances which made the rearmament of Europe necessary. The spokesman added that these circumstances included the Korean and Indo-Chinese wars, other “pressure areas,” and “the fact that Russia has, perhaps. 200 fully armed divisions." French sources declare strongly that the possibility of a Big Four conference will have no effect on the French rearming for defence against possible Communist aggression.

Mined in Baltic.—The German Waterways Administration at Kiel has reported that the Norwegian motor-ship Nestun H 271 tons) sank in the Western Baltic after striking a mine. The crew of 18 were rescued by the German ship Lilie.—London, November 7. £103.000 Won in Football Pool.— A Manchester housewife to-day won £103,204 for 6d in a football pool. It is the biggest pool prize ever paid in Britain and the first of more than £lOO,OOO to be won by one person.—

The story began in 1918 when the minelayer Welbeck laid 300 uncharged experimental four-horned mines in strings of eight in the loch. Tne object was to test the depth at which the mines could be anchored and how long they would stay under.

When the mines surfaced they rolled once or twice, then filled with water and sank. About 40® mines are still believed to be anchored in the loch, but naval experts said that the moorings cannot last much longer. "At a distance when they bob up they make a very fine monster," said one of the experts. “It has all been a big laugh for the few of us in the know who are still alivA”