ALLIED. RELATIONS

Grey River Argus, 6 April 1943, Page 3

ALLIED. RELATIONS

BRITISH EFFORTS. ! TO UNIFY .THEM. (Rep. 7.45.) LONDON, April 5. The “Sunday Express”, New York correspondent says:— President Roosevelt may go to Moscow soon to meet M. Stalin. Mr. Roosevelt is anxious to improve So-viet-American relations. It is also proposed that an important American mission should go to Russia. That mission may be headed by Mr. Eiher Wallace, Mr. Welles, or Mr. Harry Hopkins. Moves to 'lnitiate SovietAmerican relations have followed Mr. Eden’s visit to Washington last month. .. <

The N.Z. Press Association special correspondent at London says: Considerable interest is attached to Mr. Eden’s visit to America and Canada. All reports state that he was most successful, and that Mr. Roosevelt declared his talks with Mr. Eden and representatives of other United Nations had produced a ninety-five per cent agreement. Mr. Eden’s visit was certainly timely. It hag been stated it was for the purpose of finding the largest basis for agreement of British and American views on both war and peace. There is certainly room for this agreement. Differing viewpoints regarding Russia, French North Africa, imperialism and civil aviation have all been showing themselves in recent months. It is therefore regarded as most satisfactory that Mr. Eden should have left the United States amid general approval. It is believed his talks will probably be followed by a visit to England by Mr. Sumner Welles, and may be regarded as the initiation of essential political consultation, in order "that both countries may be ready when peace arrives. It is a platitude to sav that Britain earnestly desires America’s friendship and co-operation for winning the peace, but, there has been some perplexity here about America’s attitude and intentions.'As recently stated, the various nations have two plans for peace: One to follow if America takes a full place in world affairs, and another if she withdraws into isalatibnTsm. Judging by reports from America, there is much speculation over her foreign policy. One Washington report stated forces of reaction wer e again on the march in America. There is the queer, paradox that while Britain is moving more and more towards Liberalism in the truest sense, the United States seems to be marking time, perhaps even edging back. It is not so much that there will be a revision to the type of isolationism that prevailed before the last war. It will be a different sort of isolationism if ever it comes —a kind of American imperialism, with the United States running 1 the show, and the United States wanting to dominate, acquiring bases right and,left, building up a large standing army, navy and air force. There are signs that while Britain desires American co-opera-tion, she is firm in her opinions and intentions. Recent American . comments regarding British imperialism have undoubtedly evoked Mr. Stanley’s firm statement that Britain intends to manage her own colonies. The American civil aviation agitation has brought forth a Government statement regarding Britain s civil aviation plans. Therefore against this background the fact that Mr. Eden’s visit and talks should be so successful is regarded as the happiest augury for future BritishAmerican relations. Interest is being taken in the statement he is expected to make to the Commons.