RUSSIA KEEPS AT IT

Evening Star, Issue 25714, 11 February 1946, Page 5

RUSSIA KEEPS AT IT

ALLEGES WORLD PEACE ENDANGERED m BEVIN'S STATEMENTS REFUTED , (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb 10. The Soviet delegate, M. Vyshinsky, suggested to the Security Council today that Britain, Russia, China, America, and the Netherlands should herepresented on the commission of investigation. He was speaking this morning in support of the Ukrainian , complaint regarding the presence of British troops in Indonesia and the proposal that a special commission should be sent by the Security Council. At this afternoon's session both Mr Bevin and M. Van Kleffens opposed the formation of a commission. Their late night at Buckingham Palace reception last night did not help the members of the Council to concentrate on M. Vyshinsky's arguments this morning, but there was a stir round the council table and a buzz in the gallery when " as a most serious warning to the council" he described the Indonesian situation as " the spark which may set the powder barrel alight and lead to a new world conflagration." Likening British and Dutch denials of the charges levelled regarding the situation in Indonesia to " a very feeble counter-attack in response to a very heavy attack " M. Vyshinsky said that they proved nothing. . The use of British arms was quite inadmissible and in contradiction' of the terms of the United Nations Charter. Mr Bevin's earlier suggestion that the function of: the newspapers was to amuse, entertain, and mislead was very amusing, but it was an impossible assumption. It was curious logic for Mr Bevin to argue that because a fact was reported in the Press it was incorrect. " If this is true the Press would lose its significance for truth in' information," he said, "I suggest that the 1 fact that there is ;a free. Press in Britain, entitles us to some credence on what the Press brings us in the way of information." STATE OF WAR CHARGED. Begging Mr Bevin's pardon for referring to the Press, M. Vyshinsky, quoted the 'Times 'as reporting that a state of war existed in Indonesia, also an allegation by Mr Platts-Mills in the House of Commons that Britain was co-operating with the Dutch and carrying on the war. "I suggest that not only is the peace endangered, but a situation of war exists. Mr Bevin has said that. Imperialist allegations against Britain have caused him some •irritation, and had discussed the matter with M. Molotov line by line. I must question that and say it is not a fact," declared M.'Vyshinsky. "I was present at these conversations, and I am quite certain that this situation was not discussed line by line as suggested by Mr Bevin. ■ After Mr Bevin had made clear the British position, M. Molotov replied that the Soviet delegation felt obliged to raise it because events in Indonesia represented the beginning of a new war when the old war had only just ended." M. Van Kleffens had suggested that there were not enough killed yet in Indonesia to justify the term ''war." However, according to information he (M. Vyshinsky) had received from The Hague, Dutch infantry and tank and artillery detachments weie being trained and equipped so they might be ready by May to go to Indonesia. This was significant, because it showed that the Netherlands Government be- . lieved that the evolution-' of affairs in , Indonesia necessitated sending out still larger forces. . It showed that more extensive operations against the Indonesians could be expected. Arguing that operations against the Indonesian Nationalist movement were , not just limited to action against terrorists, M. Vyshinsky declared that throughout the colonial history the phrase " restoration of order " always . meant, and still meant, v the use of Repressive methods against progressive elements who were seeking national independence.

MR BEVIN'S PROTEST. Mr Bevin, rising to reply, said the discussion had gone entirely wide of I the Ukrainian letter to the Security Council. M. Manuilsky, in his arguments, did not claim that international ! peace and security were endangered. ! The Russian delegation only implied this claim, ending up by saying that it did not want the British troops withdrawn. , 8 Declaring, Fn the name of the British Government, that he refused to be a party to a commission because of the reflection upon Britain contained in the Ukrainian letter," Mr Bevin said: "This is V the only way 1 can make my protest—by resisting a commission. I protest against a great State being charged with interference and a commission requested to intervene when the charge cannot be substantiated." If it were argued that the Netherlands Government was a repressive one, endangering the peace, that should be stated in the charge. "I am not going to be a party to allow ;■ unchallenged all kinds of inferences being > thrown at the British soldier, who had an unpleasant job to do." The Russian and Ukrainian delegations had ignored his statement thati the British troops did not fire a shot until they had conferred with Dr Soe- ■ karno and explained their duty. Lord Clark Kerr had gone to Indonesia only, as a political adviser because British troops were involved, Mr Bevin continued that M. Vyshinsky's references to Poland and Rumania were not to be with the present case. Britain in neither case had charged the Soviet with endangering peace, nor did she say one word con- * cerning the Red army. " I have not exaggerated or tried to exaggerate the difficulties in Indonesia. On only one occasion were Japanese troops used, and the full statement made in the House of Commons is available in, ' Hansard.' " There was an unpleasant incident, in which 22 British troops were hacked to nieces in front of the public. Such incidents could be called excesses. The Netherlands Government was trying to carry out its task. in'.'.. Indonesia in accordance with the spirit of the United! Nations Charter, and Britain would render assistance as far as possible. However, she would not interfere in any decision which rested between the Netherlands Government and the Indonesians, elements and hooligans, of.whom there were too many. The Council adjourned until to-mor-row.