"BROAD MEASURE OF AGREEMENT."

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 91, 18 April 1945, Page 6

"BROAD MEASURE OF AGREEMENT."

Lord Cranborne, in reply, said: "The recent talks between the Empire delegates were full and frank, and did not commit any Governments, but enabled us to understand one another's points of view. It is remarkable what a broad measure of agreement was expressed at the talks." The Dumbarton Oaks proposals were going to inllict a heavy burden, particularly on Britain. The British were not going to be rich immediately after the war. and although they had many admirable objects in the field of-social improvement to which they desired to devote national income, they would .have to divert a considerable portion of it to the needs of international defence. Alluding to the veto controversy. Lord Cranborne said that if the Great Powers abused the -proposals the veto proposal would fail, and the world organisation would break down. Considerable sacrifices were being asked of the smaller nations, which were being required to give effect automatically to the Security Council's decisions without consultation. The adherence of the smaller nations was as important as that of • the Great Powers. He did not believe they would succeed in the main object of preventing wars breaking out unless the smaller nations were willing to accept obligations.