ATMOSPHERE CLEARED

Evening Star, Issue 25677, 28 December 1945, Page 5

ATMOSPHERE CLEARED

CONFERENCE ENDS HOPEFULLY HOPE FOR SETTLEMENT ALL PROBLEMS FOUR-POWER COUNCIL TO CONTROL JAPAN MOSCOW,; December 27. The Foreign Ministers’ Conference ended at 3 a.m. Moscoav time. The final session lasted 12 hours, and the Ministers cleared every detail. The discussions haA’e been held in a cordial atmosphere and the latest developments have greatly strengthened the feeling of optimism. Statements concerning the conference Avill be released simultaneously ia London, Washington, and Moscow. Mr Byrnes, before leaving for the airport, declared that the conference had been very constructive, not only because many problems had been settled, but also because of the cordial relations between the three countries represented. “ There is great hope for the settlement of other problems in the same friendly way,” he said. “ There is no agreement on any subject which will not be covered by the Communique.” He added that he had. explained this point “ because some people are always anxious to know if there are secret agreements. When you read the atomic agreement you will know that no phase other than that set forth was discussed.” Mr Byrnes continued. . “ The (Ministers discussed a number of matters outside those covered by the communique and by an exchange of views clarified the subjects for the three Governments, so that it will be easier to secure achievements agreeable to them.” IMPORTANT DECISIONS. The Foreign Ministers decided to create a Four-Power Control Council for Japan, says a ‘ New York Times’ correspondent. It has also been decided to revise the duties of the Far East Advisory Commission in Washington, and to seek authority for the United Nations Organisation' Security Council to study the control of the atomic bomb. The “Big Three” have agreed to ask the General Assembly to hand over to the Eleven-nation Security Council (plus Canada) the problem of studying and making recommendations:— 1. For the .exchange of basic scientific information for peaceful ends. 2. Controlling atomic energy to assure its use‘only for peaceful ends. 3. Eliminating atomic Aveapona from the arsenals of national States. 4. Safeguarding the United Nations from violations or evasions of the international atomic energy agreements. The Japanese Control Council will be composed of American, Russian, and Chinese members and a member to represent Britain, India, and Australia. Russia has agreed to join both the Japanese Control .Council, in Tokio, and the F.E..A.C., in Washington, with the understanding, first, that the Tokio Council should carry. out the recommendations and directives of the Washington Commission; and, secondly, that the Washington Commission could not issue directives or make recommendations without the approval of Britain, America, Russia, and China. In the,event of a disagreement between the major Powers on the Washington Commission, General MacArthur shall retain a reserve pmyer to act in carrying out the American policy. . Conversations concerning the

atomic bomb dealt almost entirely with the creation of intergovernmental machinery for controlling atomic weapons, not with questions relating to science or the manufacture of the atomic bomb.

There is general satisfaction in Washington with the reported results of the conference, since it broke the “Big Three” deadlock over the control of Japan, the atomic bomb, and European peace treaties. A controversial result of the conference, however, is the extension of veto power to the Washington Commission. -