BIG THREE TALKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1945, Page 5

BIG THREE TALKS

BRITISH DELEGATES LEAVING HOME FOR ELECTIONS RESULT LONDON, July 24. The Big Three Conference at Potsdam will continue, though Mr. Churchill, Mr. Eden, and Mr. Attlee are returning to England to-morrow, to be present when the election, results are disclosed on Thursday. A correspondent at Potsdam reports that part of the United States delegation has already left, and it is also reported that others of the United States delegation will be leaving “for a surprising destination.” An American spokesman in Washington had no confirmation to give of these reports. An official statement issued from Potsdam yesterday said: “Mr. Churchill and his daughter last night received Mr. Truman and Mr. Stalin at the door of his house in Potsdam for a State dinner. The Big Three shortly afterwards appeared for a few moments at the front door. The guests included the three Foreign Secretaries, Mr. Attlee, Admiral Leahy, the Chiefs of Staff, and Marshal Zhukov, Field-Marshal Alexander, Marshal Montgomery, General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, General Sir Hastings Ismay, and Lord Moran. The Royal Air Force string orchestra played items for the diners, including pieces requested by Mr. Churchill and Mr. Stalin.” SHORT INTERVAL ONLY (Rec. 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. Correspondents at Potsdam learn authoritatively that the Big Three Conference recess will be for only one day, resuming on Friday, when the British leaders are expected to return. The conference is unlikely to take major decisions during the absence of the British leader. The continuation of the conference at least makes it clear that there is. much important business for discussion. The Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent understands that Mr Churchill, even if his Government is defeated, will return to Potsdarn to complete tiie work, with Mr Eden and Mr Attlee. RUSSIA AND JAPAN (Recd. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, July 24. Belief that the Potsdam conference may result in Russia taking definite action in the war against Japan is strengthened by reports reaching London in the last twenty-four hours, says the “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent. These reports are not confirmed officially but tally with indications that the Russian atti - tude towards Japan was under discussion at Potsdam, and certain preparations are being considered. It is possible, that without directly intervening, that Russia may allow AngloAmerican use of bases in the Vladivostok area for operations against Japan. Recent conversations between Dr. Soong and Mr. Stalin are also regarded as an indication that Russia is about to make a new move. Dr. Soong intends to visit Moscow againafter the Potsdam conference.

REPARATIONS REPORT WASHINGTON, July 23. Referring to the story in the New York ‘-Herald-Tribune,” reporting an agreement on German reparations, said to have been reached at the Crimea Conference, United States State Department officials referred inquirers to a statement by Mr. Stettinius (then Secretary of State) on April 3. Mr. Stettinius said ‘.-‘The only other decisions reached at Yalta and not made public related to initial membership in the international organisation and to territorial trusteeships.” The Associated Press also quotes a British Foreign Office, spokesman in London as denying knowledge of any secret reparations agreement. FOOD IMPORTS LONDON, July 24. A pledge that Britain’s rations would not be cut to supplement German rations was given by a colonel who is chief of the Food Department of the Brtish Military Government at 21st Army Group Headquarters today, says a correspondent. The aim ot the ‘British authorities, he said was to avoid importing into Germany fats and sugar, of which there is a world shortage. If imports of food had to be made into Germany—and it appeared that they would they would be made in the form of gram, which would not affect the requirements of the rest of -the world. CIVILIANS EXECUTED. (Rec 11.55 a.m.) LONDON, July 24. At Flensburg two German civilians —the first executed for breaking the law in the British zone— were be- . headed for unlawful possession ol firearms. Germans carried out uie sentence. British soldiers volunteered but permission was refused. Two other Germans were condemned to death for similar offences, but were reprieved. DACHAU CONVENT LONDON, July 24. The Dutch radio says Cardinal Faulhaber, Archbishop of Munich, has asked General Eisenhower lor permission to build a convent on the site of the Dachau concentration camp, thereby making Dachau a place of pilgrimage for all Europe. LUXEMBOURG’S ARMY (Recd. 1 p.m.) LONDON, July 24. For the first time in its history, the Duchy of Luxembourg has founded an army. It will be trained on British lines with an American West Point graduate, Lieutenant-Colonel Arnold Sommer, its chief-of-staff. The idea grew out of the Allied plans for using the available manpower of the liberated countries, and received the prompt approval of the Grand Duchess Charlotte, and Prince Felix who fought in the war as a brigadier of the British Army and who witness-* ed the liberation of Luxembourg from the top of one of General Pattons tanks. The Duchess signed the new laws legalising the army the strength of which is already 1825. The army will be equipped by the British and fed by the’ Americans.