UNCIO CHARTER

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1945, Page 2

UNCIO CHARTER

MR. EDEN’S CONFIDENCE

“PROGRESS ENCOURAGING” SAN FRANCISCO, May 7.

“The United Nations Conference will draw up a world charter which will do much, but not all, towards insuring world peace when Japan is brought to the same overwhelming defeat which Germany has now suffered,” said the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden), in a broadcast speech in San Francisco. Mr. Eden described UNCIO s work as an essential task, -but he issued a warning that a united determination to make the projected world organisation work was even more important than the efforts to produce a perfect charter here. “So far,” continued Mr. Eden, “though progress has perhaps been inevitably slow; it, on the whole, has been encouraging. I am confident that we are going to agree on a charter. I have .the hope that it will be a better document than anything of its'kind that has existed in the world so far. Of course it will not be perfect, but it is a great thing to get it going.” . , ■ Mr. Eden hailed the victory in Europe as bewildering, but, he added, “this majestic, triumphant hour called for an intensification of the British and American war -effort m the Far East until the bells toll for the Japanese as they have already tolled for Hitler.” . SMALL POWERS’ CLAIM. SAN. FRANCISCO, May 7. The Big Four at the United Nations Conference have informed the smaller nations, which are fighting for the expansion of the Security Council from 11 to 14 members, that the big Powers are adhering to the membership of 11. lirn , * The Associated Press says: rhe British, American, Chinese, Russian, and French Foreign Ministers this afternoon considered the amendments proposed by China, Russia, Britain, and the United States to the Security Charter, after which they discussed the small Powers’ amendments, and thev are attempting to work out a joint policy. The chief of the small Powers’ amendments discussed were: (1) the strengthening of the General Assembly’s authority, in order to give small countries a greater voice; (2) restrictions on the Security Council’s •w’q power; (3) enlarging the Security Council; (4) additional exemptions in'the regional security arrangements from the world organisation’s control. The exemptions at present apply only to such pacts as the British-Russian, Russian-French, and Russian-Czech pacts, which are aimed at preventing future Axis aggression.” . ;\iv American official said efforts were under way to exempt the Act of Chapultepec. The celebrated “old Bolshevik,” Mr. Dmitri Manuilsky, as representative of the Ukraine, has assumed the chairmanship of the UNCIO committee on die preamble for the World Charter, le is reported that General Smuts (South Africa) addressed the committee and explained the document which he has drafted. Most of 40 delegates who spoke supported General Smuts. The committee accepted the proposals as a basis for the preamble. Mr. Manuilsky was the Soviet Communist Party’s representative on the Comintern. He went to the Ukraine as Foreign Commissar after the Comintern dissolved in 1943. The “New York Times” correspondent says that the'news of the German surrender has caused no immediate exodus of delegates, but Mr. C. J. Hambro (Norway) is expected to follow M. Spaak (Belgium) shortly. About 20 other delegates from various nations have indicated that they are leaving.

MR. MOLOTOV’S REVIEW. SAN FRANCISCO, May 8

' Mr. Molotov stated at a Press conference that the four co-Presidents of UNCIO achieved unanimity on amendments to Dumbarton Oaks decisions, and committees had begun work. The Soviet attaches the greatest importance to the following amendments: (11 That Charter “purposes” now provided for the observance of principles of justice in international law, also contains reference to the necessity of respecting principles of equality, and seff-determination. Nations, to which the principles draw particular attention are the populations of colonies and mandated territories. It also provides for respect for human rights, and fundamental freedoms, irrespective of race or creed. (2) The idea of revising treaties concluded during the war was rejected as untenable. It was obvious revision would play into the hands of enemy countries, who would like to undermine or emasculate these treaties. Any attempt to submit these treaties to the International Organisation would be tantamount to violating the signatories’ sovereign rights. (3) It was agreed that treaties signed during the war intended to prevent renewal of aggression by Germany should remain in force for such time as the Governments concerned felt the International Security Organisation was really in a position to undertake the task of preventing aggression. (4) It was a noteworthy fact that no proposals were put forward for changing the role of the Security Council. This demonstrated unanimity of the leading Powers in the main problem of post-war security. (5) British and American proposals relating to territorial trusteeship differed, necessitating study. The Soviet realised they must first, see dependent countries were enabled as soon as possible to take the path of national independence. This should be promoted by a special organisation of the United Nations acting with a view to expediting principles of equality and selfdetermination. Mr. Molotov concluded by voicing confidence that UNCIO would succeed.

POLISH QUESTION. SAN FRANCISCO, May 7. The principal Soviet delegate to UNCIO (Mr. Molotov) has stated that the Big Four have concluded their consultations. The unanimity achieved would assure the success of the conference. Mr, Molotov said the Allies had successfully settled the Jugoslav in .stion, and he did not doubt that ( he Polish issue would also be settled successfully.. The principal point was that the issue should be settled in a manner favourable to the Poles. Replying to a question, Mr. Molotov said Denmark would be welcomed at UNCIO, but pointed out that decision on the invitation did not rest with him alone. He suggested that the conference should be able to comnlete its work in two or three weeks. LABOUR REPRESENTATION. SAN FRANCISCO, May 7. The “New York Times’s” San Francisco correspondent says representatives of the major organised labour groups in America have askUnited States delegation to Uh CTO to ensure that labour is adequately represented on the world security organisation. „M 1 ’• William Green (American Federation of Labour) has recomUnited Nations not only definitely to include the International Labour Organisation as an agent J,, new world organisation, but that labour, agricultural and {justness representation be provided in the ’ economic and social council. r U? iliD Murray (Coneress of Industrial Organisations) has urged

fhat the World Federation of Trade Unions be directly represented on the General Assembly in a consultative