MR PETHERICK'S AMENDMENTS

Evening Star, Issue 25422, 1 March 1945, Page 6

MR PETHERICK'S AMENDMENTS

VARIETY OF VIEWS EXPRESSED (Rec. noon.) RUGBY, February 28. Criticism of the Crimea decisions came from Mr Petherick (Con.) when, backed by 20 other Conservatives, he moved his amendment in the House of Commons. Mr Petrerick said as a result of the Yalta agreement Poland was to lose nearly half her territory, a third of her population, 80 per cent, of her oil and natural gas, half her timber and peat, half her chemical industry, nearly half her grain, hemp, and flax, and over 40 per cent, of her water power. Could all that be made good by a postdated cheque for concessions, of territory containing we knew not what? •Poland's pre-war territories were guaranteed by a treaty freely entered into between Russia and Poland, and three times reaffirmed by implication and by the whole tenor of a succeeding treaty. There would be no hope of peace in Europe for a hundred years if we did not return once more to the principle of the sanctity of treaties. He believed that Russia could be persuaded that her interests lay in dealing with her neighbours on fair and honourable Mr Petherick concluded: "We should! continue to work with Russia, but cooperation is not a one-way street. The House is waiting for the Russian case to be stated, but has not yet heard it." A case must exist, because apparently it is strong enough to override former treaties and the Atlantic Charter." He was afraid the Russian case was a sad one, he added. If the Prime Minister had returned to the House and said: " I have done my best to argue with them. I cannot admit their case, but, after all, they are in possession of the country and a strong ally, whereon we have to depend in the future," he could have understood, but Mr Churchill said he regarded the Yalta agreement as a just and fair settlement.

Commander Sir Archibald > Southby (Conservative), in seconding the amendment, put forward a series of demands, which included that all deportations from Poland should now cease, and those in concentration camps be released; that elections were to be free; and that freedom of speech, the Press, and radio be restored at once. Sir Arthur Southby said the treatment of Poland would be a touchstone with regard to much of Britain's post-war relations. He asked was the Yalta agreement the writing on the wall which would read to Britain's disadvantage in the Arab world. Continuing, he said that Russia, in order to safeguard her lines of communications while occupying Germany, must continue to occupy Poland, but information from Poland made it clear.that the internal economy of Poland under the Lublin Government was irrevocably organised on Communist lines. There must be greater safeguards if Poland was t'o hold a really free and unfettered election.

Major Lloyd (Conservative) declared that Yalta provided for plain, downright annexation of Polish territory without the consent of the Poles or the Government. The Atlantic Charter had been whittled down to a meaningless symbol. He believed we were trustees for Poland, the country.-which ,had done so much to help us in this war. We could not let her down.

He was supported by Major Thorneycroft (Conservative). Dr Haden Guest (Labour) said the amendment was inspired by anti-Soviet prejudice. He believed that the Crimea jesults would help to establish a strong, free, independent Poland. Sir Percy Harris (Liberal) wanted Mi' Eden to assure him that genuine joint action would be taken and the three Great Powers' would be associated with the election.

Lord Willoughby Deeresby hoped that Mr Eden would give a more definite assurance about the suggested entry of such Poles as' wished to be taken into the British Empire rather than go back to a disorganised and possibly sovietised Poland.

Major Manningham-Buller (Con.) said he believed the Yalta was a real step towards the attainment of a free sovereign, independent Poland. Mr Harold Nicholson (National Labour) said the whole matter amounted to: "Can you really trust Russia? " and he declared: " Stalin is the most reliable man in Europe." Mr Shinwell (Labour) said the Yalta decisions could be the first steps towards a real peace.