CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM IN WEST CAPITALS ON MOSCOW TALKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22707, 4 August 1948, Page 7

CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM IN WEST CAPITALS ON MOSCOW TALKS

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter —CopyrisrM.) (10.30 a.m.) LONDON, August 3. Diplomatic experts today were cautiously optimistic about the talks in Moscow between Marshal Stalin and the Western Powers' envoys, but there is no official comment yet.

The United States Ambassador in London, Mr. Lewis Douglas, called at the Foreign office and discussed the Western envoys' report with the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Ernest Bevin, according to Reuter's diplomatic correspondent.

Britain, the United States and France expected to frame the next set of instructions to their Moscow envoys after exchanges between the capitals, but it will probably be some days before the instructions go to Moscow-

The British United Press correspondent in Paris says that Foreign Office sources there also express cautious optimism on the outcome of the Moscow talks because of the length of time Marshal Stalin conferred with the Western envoys.

The French Foreign Minister, M. Schuman, received a report on the talks from the French Ambassador in Moscow. The Foreign Office has received Mr. Robert's report on the Kremlin talks and experts worked all night preparing it for study by the Cabinet Ministers, says Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent. Mr. Bevin and Allied diplomats received copies this morning but official comment is not expected for some time. London, Paris and Washington are maintaining strict secrecy by mutual arrangement but London diplomatic circles think there is a reasonable chance that the Soviet may lift the Berlin blockade and the way will be established for four-power talks at a high level on Germany and other outstanding issues. Frank Exchange of Views

Some Moscow reports suggest that the Western envoys saw Marshal Stalin separately, which would be the usual procedure. No arrangements have been made for the British envoy, Mr. Frank Roberts, to return to London, and there is nothing to indicate whether another meeting with Marshal Stalin has been arranged. diplomats consider the next few days as the critical stage in the negotiations, on which may depend the future relations of the great wartime allies, as well as the future of Germany and European harmony. , , It is felt, therefore, that any leakage of information might cause irreparable harm.

■ It is understood that the Kremlin discussion embraced a frank exchange of views and that envoys left with Marshal Stalin aides memoires summarising the western Allies’ attitude. It is reliably reported, stated agency reports from Moscow, that the Western envoys are now awaiting replies to the reoorts they sent last night to London. Paris and Washington after Ui-rr two hour talk with Marshal Stalin and M. Molotov.

The Times diplomatic correspondent says the fact that Marshal Stalin agreed to receive the three Western envoys is regarded in London as “a definite step forward” and in Paris as indicating a favourable “climate”. M. Molotov was with Marshal Stalin throughout the meeting according to the Moscow radio.

Reuter’s correspondent in Moscow' says it is supposed that Marshal Sokolovky was also present. .He adds that all three envoys seemed in good spirits after the meeting. The Times correspondent in Moscow says the first definite details of the meeting are expected in simultaneous announcements from the four Governments concerned. The Associated Press correspondent in Moscow says that morning newspapers prominently reported the fourPower Kremlin meeting. It is the first Russian announcement of the talks.