BIG POWER TALKS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27038, 13 May 1953, Page 9

BIG POWER TALKS

Churchill’s Call For Meeting

(NX. Press Association-Copyright) (Rec. 9 pjn.) LONDON, May 11. the Ho3Tr Ghurchill } forei * n affairs speech in < IT^ onB in which he called for th m " l ? dia f e conference of the Great Powers on the h, £ heBt le Y el » has been described in Britain as one of the greatest in his career, and one of the greatest in the cause of peace since the war.

S ? wVn u m absence of the Foreign Secretary (Mr Sf the « nme MmiBt « r used much of the vigour war * t I f! ne B P«*heB and covered a wide range of foreign affairs problems.

*» C should be taken not to check favourable reactions : he I said » but at the same time defence efforts should be maintained to the limit of Western strength. He expressed hope for peace between the Jews and the Arabs in the Middle East, called for a patient and sympathetic study of Communist proposals for a truce in Korea, and made it clear that Britain was with the European Defence Organisation, although not of it.

The supreme event that had occurred m Europe recently was the change of attitude—and, he hoped—of mind, -which had taken place in Soviet domains, and particularly in the Kremlin, since the death of Mr Stalin, said Sir Winston Churchill, It was the policy of Britain to avoid, by all possible means, anything that could check any favourable reaction that might be taking place, and to look for every sign of improvement in relations with Russia.

The Prime Minister said he did not believe that the huge problem of reconciling the security of Russia and Western Europe was insoluble. He believed that a conference between the leading Powers should be held with the least possible delay. Such a conference might not lead to. hard and fast decisions, but it could lead to better feelings. “We have been encouraged by a series of amicable gestures on the part of the new Soviet Government,” he said. “These have so far taken the form of leaving off doing things which we have not been doing to them. It is, therefore, difficult to find specific cases with which to match their actions. If, however, any such cases can be cited, they will certainly be examined by the Government with urgency and sympathy. It would, I think, be a mistake to assume that nothing can be settled with the Soviet Government until everything is settled.”

“No Single Agreement” Tne grave fundamental issues which divided the Communist and nonCommunist parts of the world could not be settled by a simple comprehensive agreement, said the Prime Minister. It would help if each side looked for things to do that would be agreeable, Instead of disagreeable. It would be a pity to impede any spontaneous, healthy evolution which might be taking place inside Russia. He regarded some of the internal manifestations and the apparent change of mind as far more important than what had happened outside. “I am anxious that nothing in the presentation of the foreign policy of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Powers should supersede or take the emphasis out of what may be a definite movement,” he said. “All desire that the Russian people should take a high place in world affairs, which is their due, without feeling anxiety about their own security.” Sir Winston Churchill said that the Locarno Treaty of 1925 was the highest point reached between the two wars. It was based on a remarkable provision that if Germany attacked France, Britain would stand by the French, but, if France attacked Germany, Britain would stand by the Germans.

The scene today was widely different “Yet I have a feeling that the master thought which animated Locarno might well play a part between Germany and Russia in the minds of those whose prime ambition is to consolidate the peace of Europe as a key to the peace of mankind. “Russia has a right to feel assured as far as human arrangements can reach that the terrible events of the Hitler invasion will never be repeated, that Poland will remain a friendly Power and a buffer, though not, I trust, a puppet state.” After referring to past dealings with Stalin, Sir Winston Churchill added: “I must make it plain that in spite of all uncertainties and confusion in which world affairs are plunged, I believe a conference on the highest level should take place between the leading Powers without long delay. “This conference should not be overhung by a ponderous or rigid agenda, nor be led into mazes or jungles of technical details, nor be zealously contested by hordes of experts and officials drawn up in vast and cumberous array.

“Confined To Smallest Number” “The conference should be confined to the smallest number of persons and Powers possible. “They should meet with a measure of informality and a still greater measure of privacy and seclusion. It may well be that no hard and fast agreement will be reached; but there may be a general feeling among those gathered together that they may do something better than tear the human race, including themselves, into bits.” In conclusion. Sir Winston Churchill said he hoped he had contributed a few thoughts “which may make for Seace and help a gentler breeze to low upon this weary earth.” He said that the present time would be a fatal moment for free nations to relax their comradeship and preparations. To fail to maintain their defence effort to the limit of their strength would be to paralyse every beneficent tendency towards peace both in Europe and Asia.

“For us to become divided among ourselves, because of divergence of opinion or local interests, or to slacken our combined efforts, would be to end for ever such new hope as many have broken upon mankind, and to lead instead to general ruin and enslavement.

“Unity, vigilance and fidelity are the only foundations on which hope can live.”