DISCUSSIONS BY BIG FOUR

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27150, 21 September 1953, Page 9

DISCUSSIONS BY BIG FOUR

Attlee Fears Chance Is Lost (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LONDON, September 19. Mr Clement Attlee, the former British Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, said today that he feared the opportunity for making progress towards peace and the reduction of armaments might have been lost in the four months since Sir Winston Churchill suggested a Big Four conference. In a party political broadcast over the 8.8. C., Mr Attlee said he thought the international situation had deteriorated since then.

“It is vitally important that Britain should not only give a lead, but should follow it up,” he said.

Mr Attlee criticised an American tendency to suspect everybody not entirely in accord with the American point of view as “very dangerous.” It was an apparent reflection in the foreign field of certain tendencies towards intolerance which were disturbing the minds of many people.

Mr Attlee reiterated that he desired the closest co-operation with , “our friends in America. But this does not preclude us from stating our own point of view. If we think that our friends are following an unwise course, true friendship demands that we should say so,” he said. Urging Chinese representation at the United Nations, Mr Attlee said: “There has been also a hardening of the opposition of the United States to the occupation by the People’s Government of China of the seat on the Security Council which belongs to China by right. ' We have always held, that regardless of the colour of the government, it is only' common* sense to recognise an effective government. “The continued occupation of this seat by the discredited faction of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek is an obstacle to progress toward peace. In our view, as soon as support for aggression has ceased, the effective Chinese Government should take her place at the. United Nations.” Mr Attlee criticised the Prime Minister of Korea (Dr. Syngman Rhee) for his “bellicose speeches.” He added: “A United Korea is desirable, but it cannot be brought about by force. Indeed, the war started precisely because of the attempt of the North Koreans to do this. Military action was taken to stop aggression—not to aid the ambitions of Dr. Rhee. Similarly, we have no interest in reinstating Marshal Chiang. It’is for the peoples of China and Korea to decide what governments they desire to have.” Declaration on Korea Referring to the 16-nation declaration, to which Britain recently subscribed, that in the event of a breach of the armistice it might not be possible to confine the war to Korea, Mr Attlee said:. “I do not think that the constant reiteration of threats is a useful way of conducting foreign affairs or is likely to have the desired effect.” The Big Four conference proposed last May by Sir Winston Churchill was concerned mainly with the broad problem of getting a better relationship with Soviet Russia, especially about the German problem, Mr Attlee said. The Prime Minister was rightly endeavouring to follow up the signs of a slackening of tension, which followed the death of Stalin.

As with Korea, the unity of Germany was desirable, but it could not be brought about with force, he said. “I am apprehensive lest a long continuance of the present position may lead to a resurgence of the dangerous forces in Germany.”