BRITISH EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 98, 21 January 1944, Page 5

BRITISH EFFORTS FOR SETTLEMENT

European Allies’ Dispute

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 19. The Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, in reply to several questions in the House of Commons about Soviet-Polish relations, said: “I do not think it would be a good thing to try to discuss all these equally difficult and delicate matters 'it question time. Naturally, they are absorbing the constant thought of the British Government, particularly the Foreign Office, and we are in the closest touch with both our Allies,, the Russian Government and the Polish Government in London. “Our prevailing desire is to bring about a friendly settlement between the two countries, and this achievement would be of the utmost consequence to the future of Europe. We are not without hope that a' favourable solution may be attained. “I am sure the House will feel that the utmost reserve should be practised at this particular moment, and I feel confident that in these circumstances I may count upon the assistance of members of the House.” • < Improved Greek Prospect. Replying to a question.about the Greek guerrillas, Mr. Eden said no agreement was yet reported between the guerrillas, but there were now good prospects of an early settlement. The Greek Prime Minister had appealed to all the guerrillas to unite against the enemy, and his message had been endorsed by the British. American anil Soviet Governments. There was readiness to negotiate a settlement, and a reply from the National Liberation Movement was awaited. Mr. Eden repeated that it was the British policy to support all those prepared to fight the Germans. “We shall fulfil this policy in Greece to the limit of our resources, but our plans cannot achieve full effect till a settlement between the guerrillas is finally concluded,” he said. “It is our earnest hone that the rival bands will be reconciled and present a united front against the enemy. It is not less essential that this unity, once it is achieved, should he maintained both during the war and after the liberation of the country. Without such unity the difficulties of distributing relief -would inevitably be increased and the sufferings of the Greek people needlessly prolonged. The Foreign Secretary was asked the whereabouts of the “Free Yugoslavia radio station, but he said he was not in a position to give the information. Pressed further, Mr. Eden said there were two points he must consider. “The first is whether I have sufficient accurate information to be precise, and the second whether it is my responsibility to give informstion about the location of a station being onerated by those whom we are helping in the fighting.’ Spaniards With Reichwehr. Asked whether he had an official report of the presence of Spanish troops on the Russian front, Mr. Eden said that thougn the greater part of the Blue Division hac recently been withdrawn a number ot volunteers had remained) on -the, Kastern front,, forming a body called, the bpamsii Legion. ~ . “I informed the Spanish Government of the most serious effect which this continuing unneutral assistance to our enemies must have on Anglo-Spanish relations now and in the future. “The British Ambassador in Madrid has been instructed to make, further strong representations to Spain. New representations to the bpanisn Government have also been made by xne British Ambassador regarding a Spanish refusal to release Italian ships. Mr. Eden said. The British Government had given full support to a request by the Italian Government for the release of all Italian ships in Spanish ports, and the Ambassador recently had been instructed to renew the strong representations he had already made. Mr. Eden himself had left, the Spanish Ambassador in no doubt about the British views. POLISH POLICIES Moscow Paper’s Charge LONDON, January 19. Poland originally intended to fight beside Germany, alleges the Moscow trade union journal “War and the Working Class,” according to the Columbia broadcasthig system’s Moscow correspondent. It says: “The emigre Polish Government and its supporters are opposing by every means the creation of friendlj’ relations between Poland and Russia. “Before the war the policy of Poland was directed to support the predatory plans of the aggressors, and the Polish Government intended to participate in the war on the side of Hitlerite Germany. The entire foreign policy of Poland since 1934 was directed to this end. Poland acted otherwise only because Hitler decided to transform it into a victim instead of an ally.”. The Columbia broadcasting system adds that the appearance of fife article at this moment is highly significant. GREEK’S RESIGNATION LONDON, January 19. M. Georges Roussos, Vice-Premier of Greece and 'Minister without portfolio, has resigned. •* '