EX-ITALIAN COLONIES

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1945, Page 5

EX-ITALIAN COLONIES

RUSSIA’S NEW DEMANDS MINISTERS’ COUNCIL RUMOURS (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, September 18. Just how much power politics are going on at the Council of Foreign Ministers, over the discussion of the draft peace treaty for Italy, is a matter for growing discussion. There is feeling that the talks somewhat resemble an iceberg in that there is far .more below the surface than above. One report is that Russia, with a eye on the penetration of the Mediterranean, would like a trusteeship over Tripolitania, or other Italian colonies, and as part of this policy, is prepared to be firm in support of Jugoslav claims to Trieste. Then there are also reports that Italy is hoping that the colonies may after all revert to her, in a sense that she may be appointed to administer Ihem under an international trust. This is based on what is described as rather “recklessly stimulated reports,” that America would support such a scheme. One of the reasons suggested for American support is the prospect that an Italian mandate would be favourable to American economic penetration. Whether this is merely all news.paper talk is a moot point, but there is no doubt that something of a sensation is caused in diplomatic circles jn London by apparently well-inform-ed reports from London appearing in American newspapers crediting Russia with claims to “trusteeship” over Tripolitania, or other Italian colonies and giving details of discussions on the subject in the council of Foreign Ministers last week. There have, says the “News-Chronicle’s” diplomatic correspondent, been rumours before that the Soviet would like to be given the trusteeship over some of the former Italian territories in Africa, and Eritrea has been mentioned specifically in this connection. But American reports, coming as they did from responsible correspondents, quoting reliable sources, go far beyond anything that has yet been remoured in connection with Soviet policy in the Mediterranean.

JUGOSLAV ATTITUDE They expand greatly the picture of Soviet plans for penetration into the Mediterranean, which has been built up bv Soviet political actions and .propaganda—such as the agitation in Northern Persia; demands on Turkey for Soviet bases in the Straits and Dardanelles; emphasis in Soviet propaganda on desirability of “a friendly Government” in Turkey; Russian propaganda attacks on the Greek Government; and Soviet support of the Bulgarian Macedonian and Jugoslav territorial irredentism, directed against Greece and Italy. If these reports are true, they suggest M. Molotov may be much firmer in his support of Jugoslav claims to Trieste than hitherto had been expected, concluded the correspondent. The Jugoslavs may be said to be taking a “strong line” at the Council. They sent a deputation of 40 members, and the language in their memorandum is regarded as being blunt. It is claimed that Veneze Aguilia or Julian March is a constituent part of Jugoslavia and that the “only rational and just solution” of the problem is for the region in its entirety to be united with Jugoslavia by act of international law. Only such a solution of the Julian March problem as that laid down in the memorandum would correspond to the needs and wishes of the population. Coinciding with the Council, meeting are reports from Italy alleging the Jugoslavs are using terrorist tactics to induce the population of Julian March to sign a petition favouring the transfer of territory to Tito. These incidents and reports of questionable methods adopted by Tito to choose electors for the new Jugoslav Constituent Assembly are causing the Jugoslavs to be regarded with increasing reserve, despite their record against the Germans, and the feeling that Italy should receive some punishment. It is estimated that as the result of ambiguity of the law .concerning the right to vote, 60 per cent of the Jugoslav people will be disenfranchised resulting in almost 100 per cent vote in favour of Tito and his National Liberation Council. Commenting on reports that the United States would support a scheme for Italy to administer her former colonies under an International Trust, the “Manchester Guardian’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “A strong current of American opinion favouring the proposal is in keeping with the ■ kindly feeling towards Italy that characterised the United States policy even during hostilities, influenced by the large Italian population within the States, together with the Roman Cath■olic bloc." It also reflects American I distaste for the flavour of territorial aggrandisement that would attach to

the entry of an alternative authority on the scene. Equally, the prospect of an Italian mandate would be favourable to American economic penetration. Whether or not, complete reversion to Italy is the official view of the American delegation to the Council of Foreign Ministers, the idea is one of many that must now be reviewed by Foreign Ministers and deputies. That it will be hotly disputed there is no doubt. Although there is no inclination in Britain to give Italy less than her deserts, memory of the heavy British • losses sustained in the British conquest of the Italian Empire are alone a break upon any easy gesture of restoring what would so easily appear to be the status quo.” The Greek Government has protested to the Allies because Greece has not been invited to express her views through representatives at the Council meetings.

RUSSIAN DEMANDS MR. MOLOTOV'S STATEMENT (Recd. 10.35 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 18. The Council of Foreign Ministers resumed its sittings in an atmosphere probably created by London correspondents’ reports published in American papers, concerning the Russian attitude on Italian colonial questions, says the Press Association. . It was agreed when the conference opened that only communiques should be issued. It appears there has been a series of leakages purporting to give details of Russia’s aspirations in the Mediterranean. These appear circumstantial and are reported to be based on'reliable information. They declare that Russia is asking for the division of Italian colonies ampng the Allies, Russia taking Tripolitania. Russia is also reported to be asking for the Dodecanese on the ground that they are part of the Dardanelles area. There was a grain of truth in the reports concerning Russian aspirations in Tripolitania, but he preferred to defer comment because the question was still under discussion, sajd Mr. Molotov at a Press conference. He said the Soviet attitude towards Eritrea was also under discussion. “I will not conceal that Russia has an interest in this question, and I think can be helpful,” he said. Although the principle of collective trusteeship was not yet applied, the principle was correct, and should be applied as decided at San Francisco. However, the principle of individual trusteeship regarding the Italian colonies should not be ignored. The Russian delegation to the Foreign Ministers’ Conference regarded it as their duty to adhere to a fair attitude towards Jugoslavia’s claims. They thought it fair and just that territories belonging to Croats and Slovenes should be returned to them. “We have sufficient grounds to think there exist in Rumania, jul-

garia and Hungary democratic governments enjoying the confidence of the majority of the people of those countries. Russia also feels that the sooner a natural democratic government is established in Greece, the better it will be for Greece and her Allies,” he added.

GROUNDS FOR REQUEST (Recd. Noon). LONDON, Sept. 18. Russia apparently put forward a request for Tripolitanian trusteeship on two main grounds, says “The Times’s” diplomatic correspondent. Firstly, the Italians joined with the Germans invading and occupying Soviet territory. Secondly, Russia believes its experience of developing backward peoples in Central Asia qualifies it for a place among trustee Powers in Tripolitania; moreover, it is strategically important territory midway along the Mediterranean shore opposite Malta and Sicily. The Council of Foreign Ministers issued a communique stating that after the Italian Foreign Minister (Degasperi) presented the views of his Government on Jugoslavia’s claim, it was decided to hold a further meeting later in the evening, at which the delegates will hear the view of the British Dominions’ representatives. PERSIAN EDITORS’ APPEAL (Rec. 10.10 a.m.) TEHERAN, September 18. Twenty-six editors, representing Teheran newspapers of various political parties, signed a Press Council cablegram addressed to the Council of Foreign Ministers at London to bring to the attention of the Council the situation in the country. The cablegram declared that Gestapo representatives who plundered the country for 20 years and collaborated with Nazis- and Fascists, to-day, were disregarding the principles of the United Nations Charter, depriving the Iranian people of freedom of Press and speech at the bayonet point, banning newspapers and arresting editors. There was no trace of democratic freedom. TROOPS. (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) CASERTA, September 18. After the settlement of the Vcnezi Aguilia territorial dispute no Allied troops would remain south of the Alps, said Field Marshal Alexander in an interview. Meanwhile, the one British and one American Division stationed in the disputed territory would comprise the total occupation forces in Italy when the deployment of other troops now stationed there was completed.