MANY DIFFICULTIES

Evening Star, Issue 25593, 20 September 1945, Page 5

MANY DIFFICULTIES

RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE GAUSING N GONGERN SMALL PROSPECT OF COMPROMISE LONDON, September \ 19. ■ Russia has apparently put forward a .request for Tripolitanian trusteeship on two main grounds, says ' The Times' diplomatic first, the Italians joined the Germans in invading and occupying Soviet territory ; . secondly, Russia believes its experience in developing backward peoples in Central Asia qualifies if for a place among the trustee Powers. Tripolitania, moreover, is strategically important-territory midway along the Mediterranean shore, opposite Malta and Sicily. Many differences have arisen in the Council of Foreign Ministers, says the 'Daily Express' political correspondent. Proposals are on the table which, it seems, are almost impossible to reconcile. It seems obvious from M. Molotov'a attitude at a Press conference that oil some of. the most vital issues—ltalian colonies, the future of Trieste, and the composition of the Balkan countries —his views are_ widely . different from those of Britain and _ America. The settlement of these difficulties is essential if a peace treaty is to_ be drawn up for signature by the Italians and the Balkan countries, but there seems at present small prospect of a compromise. ' * M. Molotov, after the Press conference, left behind many . question marks, says the ' Daily Mail.'" It is understood that Britain, probably in association with some of the dominions, had views about the control of some of the Italian colonies. Observers are asking whether Britain and America are perturbed about the "extent of Russia's demands, and whether Russia is seeking to extend her influence to a degree which the other nations may not wish to concede. America was at first believed to favour allowing the Italians to. run their, colonies undei supervision, but another American scheme is now reported to have been tabled providing for the administration of each colony by a governor-general

appointed by the World Organisation's Trusteeship "Council. The scheme apparently envisages the colonies receiving independence in 10 to 15 years, and Britain, it is reported, looks on it with some favour.

" Does the Soviet Government seriously stake a claim to the trusteeship of Italy's North African possessions? f ' asks the ' Daily Telegraph ' in a leader. " It would be as reasonable to suggest that Britain should become the trustee of Outer Mongolia on the, ground of the British Empire's unique experience of handling native populations." , ' The Daily Telegraph ' expresses the opinion that it would greatly assist a settlement of tbis and other matters if the Russian policy were clearly stated. " Statemanship must inevitably reach an impasse when one of the essential factors in each international situation remains persistently enigmatic. The text of the Franco-Churchill letters shows Britain's undeviating loyalty to the British-Russian treaty. The preeminent need is that, reciprocally, we should know where Russia stands and what the Soviet Government is aiming at."