POTSDAM POLICY

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1945, Page 5

POTSDAM POLICY

CHURCHILYAND STALIN LONG SECRET TALK LONDON, July 19. An agency correspondent in Potsdam reports that on Wednesday pvpnirw Mr Churchill had a threehour private talk with Mr. Stalin. They were alone, except for interplAt the special request of Mr. Truman, Admiral E. S Land, Chief of the United States War Shipping Administration. has arrived in Potsdam fo participate in the Big Three talks. As was anticipated, there has been a lack of “hard” news from Potsdam. There is. however, a spate of rumours and speculation. The chief of these are concerned .with Japanese peace feelers and surrender offers’, Russia’s entry into the war, and the relaxation of the unconditional surrender formula in Japan’s case. It is felt that Russia’s attitude may be considerably influenced by Mr. Stalin’s recent talks with the Chinese Prime Minister (Dr. T. V. Soong), but it is regarded as unlikely that Britain or the United States will make a direct request at the Potsdam conference for Russia to declare war against Japan. Another rumour is that Marshal Broz has arrived at Potsdam, but this is also unconfirmed. The presence of Field-Marshal Alexander suggests however that the Balkans and the Mediterranean area will be discussed.

Dr. Soong, incidentally, has arrived in Chungking, where the People’s Political Council is in session. It is noted with interest that the Russian Ambassador to Chungking returned with Dr. Soong, and it is assumed that they will continue to work on whatever foundations were laid in the Moscow discussions, at which Manchuria is believed to have been one of the most important and delicate problems considered. President Truman gave a State dinner at the temporary “White House” for Mr. Churchill and Mr. Stalin, and five other representatives of each Government. Among the British representatives -were Mr. C. R. Attlee (leader of the Labour Party) and Sir Alexander Cadogan (Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs). Mr. Eden was unable to attend, as he was indisposed.

Mr. Churchill wore the uniform of Warden of the Cinque Ports, an office going back to the days of the Norman Conquest, when the ports of the south coast of England banded together to resist invasion. The American guests included Admiral W. D. Leahy (the President’s Chief of Staff), Mr. Averell Harriman (United States Ambassador to Moscow), Mr. James Byrnes (Secretary of State), and Mr. Joseph Davis (Mr. Truman's personal adviser). Mr. Stalin was accompanied by his Foreign Commissar (Mr. Molotov), and the Russian Ambassador to Washington (Mr. Gromyko). DISEASE IN BERLIN ' (Recd. 11 a.m.) BERLIN, July 20. Public health officers estimate that one-third of Berlin's civilian population is suffering from dysentry. Polluted city water is believed to be responsible. Berlin beer and mineral waters are being tested for purity. A strict warning has been issued against drinking in public places. JEWISH LEADER ARRESTED LONDON, July 20. “The Russians have arrested the president of the Vienna Jewish community, Dr, Richard Loew-enherz, for collaboration with the Germans,” says, the Zurich correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph Agency. “The arrest has caused a sensation, because Dr. Loewenherz is stated to have consistently watched the welfare of the Jewish community during the German occupation. Of the 80,000 Jews of Vienna only 1000 survived the occupation.'’