MOLOTOV SPEAKS

Evening Star, Issue 25470, 28 April 1945, Page 5

MOLOTOV SPEAKS

RUSSIA'S CHAMPIONSHIP GREAT CAUSE INFLEXIBLY SUPPORTED LEAGUE OF NATIONS' WEAKNESSES MUST BE AVOIDED SAN FRANCISCO, April 26. " Th 3 Soviet is the sincere and .firm champion of the establishment of a strong international organisation of security," said M. Molotov. addressing the San Francisco Conference. " Whatever may depend upon it in the common cause will readily be done by the Soviet Government. We will fully cooperate in the solution of this great problem with all the other Governments genuinely devoted to this noble cause. " We are confident that this historic aim will be achievsd, in spite of all the obstacles in the way. Dumbarton Oaks is an important contribution to it; the Crimean conference made important supplements to that draft. Therefore this conference had'a sound basis for success." '.'...

Stressing tho importance of tho Ang'o-Soviet-American coalition, which had ensured the rout x>f German Fascism. M.Molotov warned that acquired prestige was easily wasted. The coalition.'was forged in the fire of. struggle and had rendered great service to tho -United' Nations' cause.. If leading j democratic countries showed their ability to act in harmony in the postwar period as well, that would mean that the interests of peace and security of the nations had at last received a firm basis and protection.

" Rut this is not all." he said.. " The Doint at issue is whether other peac»loving nations are willing to rally around these leading- nations to create an effective organisation. The international organisation must have th» necessary means for. military protection of the. nations' security. Only if a condition is created guaranteeinji that no violation of the peace or threat of it shall go unpunished, and if tho adoption of punitive .measures is not too late will the organisation be abl» to discharge its responsibility for the cause of peace. After innumerable sacrifices in this war the urge for the establishment of the organisation is especially strong. " The opponents of this have not laid down their arms. They are carrying on their subversive activities even now, though mostly in a latent and veile*] form. For this purpose they frequently use the most democratic watchwords «nd arguments, including professed protection of small nations or the principles of equity and equality for all nations. We must not minimise the difficulties involved. With our eyes closed we shall not be able to find the road: SPIRIT OF FAITH. " As far as the Soviet is concerned I assure the conference that our people are brought up in a spirit of faith and devotion to the cause of establishing a solid international organisation. The Soviet ' people will readily listen to the wishes and suggestions of all sincere friends of this great cause. The Soviet Union can be ' relied upon in the matter of safeguarding the peace and security of nations. This great cause is inflexibly backed by our peace-loving people, the Government, the army, and our great Marshal Stalin."

" The Soviet Government attaches great importance to this conference. The end of the war has drawn nearj at least in Europe. The rout of Hitler and Germany has. become a fact, and the time has arrived to take care of the post-war period. The responsibility resting upon tliis conference to consider the establishment of an organisation to iprotect general peace is very great: German Fascism, which made an easy tour of all Europe, invaded the Soviet Union, where it faced an unflinching adversary. The country of the Soviets, which saved European civilisation in bloody battles against German Fascism, with good reasons now reminds the Governments of their responsibility for. the future. This is all the more necessary because the prewar warning voice of the Soviet was not heard with due attention.

"The League of Nations betrayed the hopes of those who believed in it. Tt is obvious that no one wishes to restore a League, with no rights and power, which did not interfere with any aggressor preparing for war against peace-loving nations and sometimes lulled outright a nation's vigilance regarding impending agvession. The sad lessons of the. League are now mentioned in order that the past errors mav he avoided. They must not he committed under the sign of new and profuse promises." THE POLISH QUESTION. M. Molotov, at a Press conference was asked about the Soviet's attitude to Poland. " It gives me great pleasure to replyto that question because it does not present me with any difficulties," he said. " The San Francisco Conference is not concerned with the problem, but I am glad to discuss it, because there is so much interest in it. An excellent decision concerning the question Was adopted at Yalta. We shall carry it out. Is that answer clear? " There were cries of " Nol " " Then 1 ask you to become familiar with the Crimean 'decision on Poland. I asure. you that the Soviet. Britain and America are doing all in their power to solve the problem, which is important, especially to the Soviet as Poland's neighbour." M. Molotov, who was accompanied by his fellow delegates, faced several hundred newspapermen. He spoke at a great speed through an interpreter. He pointed out that in requesting three votes Russia was asking for the minimum. No one could deny the right of the Ukraine and White Russia to a voice at the conference. "We have 16 republics, of which the Ukraine and White Russia have played noteworthy parts in the war." Russia did not oppose amendments to the Dumbarton Oaks.proposals, said M. Molotov, and he described the question

of the Soviet attitude to Argentina as a new one. When asked about the prospects of winding up the war in Europe, he expressed the opinion that German resistance was nearing an end.