Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1944. QUEBEC CONFERENCE.

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 September 1944, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1944. QUEBEC CONFERENCE.

persona] meeting between

Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill was overdue, as much has happened since they last met. Quebec has again been chosen as the venue of the conference, and similar grandiloquence is to mark the gathering, if the report is true that the whole of the 800 rooms of the Chateau Frontenac have been reserved for the jknglo-U.S.A. delegates. Tt is desirable for security reasons that the building in which the discussions are to be held should be closed to all but officials, but whether the best aims of the Allies arc served by making these personal” conferences between the President and the Prime Minister, something in the nature of a theatrical stunt is questionable. The showmanship invites enterprise from journalists and special correspondents, and encourages rumours that do not help the cause of Allies’ unity. Certainly, the two chiefs will meet in far happier circumstances than those prevailing at. their former talks. Then, plans had to be made against, a still strong enemy. The risks to be taken were terrific, as was the work of organising the crusade of liberation. To-day, success is in sight, and Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill are entitled to be gratified at the result of their former efforts. have come with a rush of late, and although the Germans will make stands to defend Reich territory, the issue is decided, no matter how deferred may be the enemy’s final surrender. Efforts will Hum be concentrated against Japan, and it is necessary for definite plans to be ma de-for that onslaught. Russia, being neutral*, cannot participate in the Quebec discussions as these concern Japan, but. doubtless Mr. Stalin will be kept closely informed of the proposals approved. Differences between the United Nations as well as the penalties io be imposed upon Germany and Japan, will be on the Quebec agenda. There are several topics upon which contrary opinions are held by the Big Three, and there are more about which the smaller nations are not unanimous. French ambitions, Balkan rivalries, and the attitude to neutrals, especially Spain and the Argentine, are among the obstacles to post war unity, to say nothing about the major items such as security, finance, commerce and territorial adjustments, about which no definite agreement has yet been reached, despite optimistic reports. The shadow of the U.S.A, elections will be over the Quebec talks, as although Mr. Roosevelt s re-election is ex pccted, he and his Party may be defeated. It is unlikely that all his understandings with Britain and Russia would be endorsed by the Republicans, who will watch Quebec with the object of picking up any material useful for electioneering. German propagandists will also be as busy as circumstances permit, aiming to obtain lenient terms after surrender, and also to develop Allied dissensions. What official reports are issued about the talks will be discreet, and the customary claim must be expected at tie conclusion of the conference that complete agreement was obtained.