FREE ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 116, 18 May 1944, Page 5

FREE ASSOCIATION

DECLARATION SIGNED Agreement with the general plan*, for the overthrow of Germany an* I Japan and an inflexible resolve to continue with the struggle are ex-, pressed in the declaration sig_nea .Dy; the Empire Prime Ministers m London on Tuesday morning. The text of the declaration was re-: leasfiS last night by the Acting Prime' Minister (Mr. Sullivan). The Prime Ministers also state thafc though hard and bloody' battles . lie ahead, they now see before them the sure presage of future victory. The declaration was signed by Win-, ston S. Churchill, Prime Minister of' United Kingdom of Great Britain' and Northern Ireland; W. L. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada; John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia; Peter Fraser, Prime Minister; of New Zealand; and J. C. Smuts,' Prime Minister, Union of South Africa. It reads as follows: — "We, the King's Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom," Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, have now, for the first time since the outbreak of the vyar, been able to • meet together to discuss common problems and future plans. The representatives of India at the War Cabinet and the Prime Minister of Southern. Rhodesia have joined in our deliberations and are united with us. "At this memorable meeting in the; fifth year of war we give thanks fpri deliverance from the worst perils which have menaced us in the course of this long and terrible struggle against tyranny. Though hard bloody battles lie ahead, we now see befora us, in the ever-growing might of the forces of the United Nations, and in the defeat already inflicted on the foe by land, by sea, and in the air, the sure presage of our future victory. "To all our armed forces who in many lands are preserving our liberty with their lives, and to the peoples of all our countries whose efforts, fortitude, and convictions have sustained the struggle, we express our admiration and gratitude. We honour the famous deeds of the forces of the United States and of Soviet Russia, and pay our tribute to the fighting tenacity of the many States and nations joined with us. We remember indeed the prolonged stubborn resistance of China, the first to be attacked by the authors of world aggression, and we rejoice in the unquenchable spirit of our comrades in every country still in the grip of the enemy. We shall not turn from the conflict till: they are restored to freedom. Not one who marched with us shall be abandoned. THE GENERAL PLANS. "We have examined the part which the British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations should bear against: Germany and Japan, in harmony with;! our allies. . We are in cordial agree-; ment with the general plans which': have been laid before us. As in thei days when we stood all alone against! Germany, we affirm our inflexible and! unwearying resolve to continue in the; general war with the utmost of our; strength till the defeat and downfall' of our cruel, barbarous foes has been accomplished. We shall hold back nothing to reach the' goal and bring to the speediest end the agonies of mankind. "We have also examined together the principles which determine our; foreign policy, and their application' to current problems. Here, too, we are in complete agreement. "We are unitedly resolved to continue shoulder to shoulder with our allies, all needful exertion which will aid our fleets, armies, and air forces during the war, and therefore to make, sure of an enduring peace. We trusti and pray that victory, which will certainly be won, will carry with it ai sense of hope and freedom for all the 1 world. It is our aim that, when the! storm and passion of war have passedi away, all the countries now overrun 1 by the enemy shall be free to decide for themselves their future form of democratic government, NO ADVANTAGE SOUGHT. "Mutual respect and honest conduct between nations is our chief desire. We are determined to work with all peace-loving people in order that tyranny and aggression shall be removed or, if need be, struck down wherever it raises its head. The people of the British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations willingly make their sacrifice to the common cause. We seek no advantage for ourselves at the cost of others. We desire the welfare and social advancement of all nations and that they may help each other to better and broader days. "We affirm that after the war a world organisation to maintain peace and security should be set up and endowed with the necessary power and' authority to prevent aggression and violence. "In a world torn by strife we have met here in unity. That unity finds' its strength not in any formal bond, but in the hidden spring from which human action flows. We rejoice in our inheritance, loyalties, and ideals, and proclaim our sense of kinship to one another. Our system of free association has enabled us, each and aIL to claim a full share of the common burden. "Though spread across the globe, we nave stood together through the stress of two world wars, and have been welded the stronger thereby. We believe when victory is won and peace prevails, this same free association, this inherent unity of purpose will make us able to do further service to mankind."