ALLIED LEADERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 42, 18 August 1942, Page 5

ALLIED LEADERS

Mr. Churchill Returns

DECLARATIONS OF SOLIDARITY

LONDON, August 17

Mr. Churchill and Mr. Averell Harriman have made statements after a meeting in Moscow with Mr. Stalin. Mr. Churchill has paid a four-day visit to Moscow.

Communiques issued in London and Moscow state

"Negotiations have taken place in Moscow between the President of the Council of the People's Commissars of the U.S.S.R., J. V. Stalin, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill, in which Mr. Harriman represented the President of the United States. There also took part in the talks the Commissar for Foreign Affairs, V. M. Molotov, and Marshal K. E. Voroshilov. On the British side were the British Ambassador, Sir Archibald Clark Kerr, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Sir Alan Brooke, and other responsible representatives of the British armed forces, and the Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Alexander Cadogan." The communique says: "A number of decisions were reached covering the field of war against Hitlerite Germany and her associates in Europe. This just war of liberation both Governments are determined to carry on with all their power and energy until the complete destruction of Hitlerism or any similar tyranny has been achieved. "The discussions were carried on in an atmosphere of cordiality and complete sincerity, and provided an opportunity for reaffirming the existence of the close friendship and understanding between the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and '* the United States of America, in complete accordance with the Allied relationship existing between them." v

Moscow radio has broadcast a message sent by Mr. Churchill, before his return, to Mr. Stalin, in which the Prime Minister said: "I take the opportunity to thank you for yourj friendly attitude and hospitality. II am highly satisfied that I visited Moscow, for first, it was my duty to speak my mind, and, second, because I am sure our contacts will be useful for pur common cause." When he arrived in Moscow, Mr. Churchill recorded this statement: '■We are fully determined, whatever sufferings and difficulties He ahead of us, to continue the struggle hand in hand with our comrades and brothers until the last remnants of the Hitler regime have turned to dust and remain in our memories as a warning and an example for the future." Mr. Harriman said on arrival: "The President of the United States entrusted me with accompanying the British Prime Minister on his important journey to Moscow during this decisive moment of the war. The President will agree to all decisions taken by Mr. Churchill. Americans will stand hand to hand together with the Russians."

It is stated in London that General Sir Archibald Wavell. Commander-in

Chief, India, was one of the British delegation. Messages from Moscow say , that other members of the delegation were Air Chief Marshal Sir Archibald Tedder, Air Officer Commanding, Middle East, and Major-General Maxwell, Commander-in-Chief of the American Forces in Egypt. Mr. Churchill was accompanied by his personal physician, Sir Charles Wilson. Messages describe how three bombers arrived in Moscow last Wednesday afternoon. The party was met by Mr. Molotov, and massed bands played the British and American National Anthems and the Internationale. Mr. Churchill inspected a guard of honour in battle dress and steel helmets. His first meeting with Mr. Stalin lasted nearly four hours, and in the next three days a number of other meetings were held. After the essential business was over Mr. Stalin entertained ! the British and American missions at a banquet in the Kremlin. Many informal toasts were proposed, some by Mr. Stalin, and the atmosphere is decribed as "very matey."

It is revealed in Cape Town that on his way to Moscow' Mr. Churchill visited Cairo, and conferred with General Smuts, the South African Prime Minister.

The-Dominions Prime Ministers-were informed of the developments.

A newsreel of the meetings is to be released in Moscow tomorrow, and will then be shown in other big Russian cities.