AMERICAN VICTORY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 40, 16 August 1944, Page 4

AMERICAN VICTORY

POST-WAR AIR CONTROL

WASHINGTON, August 14.

A conference between America and Russia in June and July reached a preliminary understanding on the postwar development of civil aviation, said the Secretary of State,. TMr. Cordell Hull. Both sides favoured, the establishment of an international authority with consultative and technical functions, he said. Mr. Hull added that no commitments were made. The expected United Nations air conference would be held later in the year.

Discussing the talks on the organisation of post-war world security, which are to begin at Dumbarton Oaks, Georgetown, on Monday, Mr. Hull said that Britain and America were ,in substantial accord on the main lines of the proposed organisation. He said he saw sound reason for believing that the present effective collaboration of the United Nations would continue and strengthen for the maintenance of peace and security.

The gist of the American security plan was outlined by President Roosevelt in the middle of June when he called for a collaborative association of sovereign States, backed by force, though he was opposed to a superState or an international police force.

The "New York Times" says that airline officials have greeted Mr. Hull's announcement of a preliminary understanding with Russia on post-war civil aviation as an important American diplomatic victory. They said that the agreement to limit the international civil aeronautics body to consultative and technical functions puts Russia in line with American views as opposed to those tentatively suggested by the British. ~

Canada has proposed an international board with power to allocate routes and set rates. Though this plan is not explicitly supported by England and other members of the commonwealth, it is known to represent the viewpoint of many Britons who are fearful if the post-war air position of open competition is resumed.