STALIN IS A “PRISONER OF POLITIBURO”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22663, 14 June 1948, Page 5

STALIN IS A “PRISONER OF POLITIBURO”

TRUMAN SAYS;

(N.Z.P. A.—Reuter—Copyrisht.) (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 13. President Truman yesterday described Marshal Stalin as “a prisoner of the Politburo,” who is not permitted to keep agreements made on behalf of his country. President Truman was speaking at Eugene, Oregon, during a stop made by his special train in which he is touring the Western States. President Truman said he had approached the Potsdam meeting in 1945 with complete friendliness for the Russians. "I like old Joe Stalin,” he said. “He is a good fellow, but he is a prisoner of the Politburo. He would make certain agreements and lie would keep those agreements, but they won’t let him keep thc-m,” he said. The United Press says this is not the first time that President Truman has given such an evaluation of Marshal Stalin, but it is the first time for public consumption. The most recent occasion when he saic that Marshal Stalin was s prisoner, unable to carry out his nation's agreements, was under secret circumstances. On that occasion he enjoined reporters to regard his remarks as “off the record.’’