RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 7

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA

Commons Statements BRITISH ATTITUDE TO ITALIANS (British Ollieial Wireless.) RUGBY, September 22. In Hie war debate in the House of Commons. Mr. Arthur Greenwood (Labour) said there was the sincerest desire llnit tiller the war there should be the closest possible relations between Britain, the United States, and the Soviet. He said he appreciated the possibility of differences arising between the United States and the Soviet. Some, indeed, were already apparent, but not tiie greatest empire in the world could, after this war, live unto itself alone. . Referring Io Britain’s attitude toward Italy, ho said that the United Nations had appealed to tlic .Italians to jom in the task of ridding Italy ot the Germans and liberating the country. He urged that tlie liberation should mean the opposite of the German conception of "liberation.” and said that “liberty” should be emblazoned ou ail the flags of the nations advancing against the enemy. Other members criticized the bombing of Milan and 'Turin after the tall of Signor Mussolini and also Mr. Churchills absence from England. They also criticized the United Nations for treating with Marshal Badoglio and King Victor Emmanuel.

Enduring Peace System.

“Broadly our interests do not clash and all our interests are in peace,” the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, declared when answering criticism in his reply to the debate. “We want to build a peace system that will endure, backed by the necessary authority to prevent a recurrence of these scourging wars,” he said. Speaking of Russia, Mr. Eden said that if there had not been'as many personal exchanges by leading persons as we would like, it was fair to say we had made more than our share of efforts to meet: our Allies. “With that spirit we shall approach the problems,” he said. “If we are to understand one another, we must be frank. I have always believed intensely in elose and intimate relations between this country and Russia. I believe them to be essential to defeat tiie enemy and for lasting peace when the struggle is over. We shall have differing points of view, but broadly tiie interests of this country, the British Commonwealth, the United States, the U.S.S.R. and China are tiie same.

“In a few weeks I shall bo going to meet my opposite numbers with a determination. to do everything to reach a generous measure of understanding in all problems, so that we can best prepare tiie way for that greater event, tiie meeting between Marshal Stalin, President Roosevelt and our Prime Minister. If we approach the meeting in the spirit of- understanding each other’s point of view and with candour, I believe we shall best prepare for a final understanding. If we can do that, even the horrors of this war will not have been in vain. It is to that work we have set our hands.” Collaboration with Soviet.

Mr. Eden said he agreed absolutely and entirely with Mr. Greenwood that we should seek the closest collaboration witli the Soviet. That was the policy of the British Government and it would be persisted in. When it was said that there could be no collaboration which was not bused on confidence, lie agreed, but confidence could not bo created by one side alone. He was satisfied that the British Government hud nothing to reproach itself with in the matter.

Mr. Eden said that the kind of Government. they wanted to see in Italy was one as broadly bused as possible, including fill elements and parties of an antiFascist character. They would do'their best to bring that about, and anyone prepared to help in tiie fight against Hitler would he welcomed. Harsh words had been said about Marshal Badoglio and the King of Italy. About that he had onlj' this to say: The delivery of the Italian fleet was honestly and even courageously carried out. Ships had been coming in from the Italian navy, and merchant ships, not only to Mediterranean ports, hut all over the world. At this moment, in Corsica, French troops and Italians were fighting together successfully against the Germans. Reply to Criticism.

Concerning the criticism of the bombing of Italy after tiie armistice, Mr. Eden said in the House of Commons.'-— “The first Italian envoy arrived _ in Madrid on August 15. We first received a telegram about it on August IG. He arrived at Lisbon on August 17. Our negotiations began from August 38-19 — when first we knew there were people who had some credentials to negotiate. “'l'lie last occasion of tlic bombing of Milan was the night of August 15-16. The last occasion of the bombing of Turin was the night of August 16-17. “Our information has been extremely accurate. Wo judged the Italians would not fight, and we judged aright. I had grave doubts whether they might not fight.” Mr. Edeji said that in Sicily the Allied Military Government of the Occupied 'Territory had not maintained Fascist officials in oilier. It: had done its best to replace them by local men with popular backing. About 1000 prominent Fascists who had remained behind in Sicily were interned. In free territory they did not propose Io apply the principle adopted in enemy territory. That was one of the problems that could be discussed at the meeting of Foreign Secretaries.

ALLIED MEDITERRANEAN COMMISSION (Received September 23, 10.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, September 23. The representaGives of Britain, the United States and Russia would meet soon in North Africa to establish the Mediterranean Commission, said the State Secretary, Mr. Hull, addressing a Press conference. He added that China’s participation was not yet decided, but China would always be kept, informed concerning matters in that part of the world.