ITALY'S COLONIES

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1945, Page 5

ITALY'S COLONIES

SOVIET CLAIM Big Five Parley Gloomy LONDON, Sept. 19 The. curtain shrouding the proceedings of the Council of the Big Five Foreign Ministers was jerked sharply aside when Mr. Molotov held a Press conference at short notice, and confirmed the report cabled to America from London about Russia's Mediterranean aspirations. While chain-smoking Russian cigarettes, Mr. Molotov gave a clear hint that his Government wanted trusteeship over the former Italian colony of Tripolitania in North Africa, and also had an interest in the future of Eritrea. He also supported the Yugoslav claims to Trieste and the Italian territory of Venizia Giula, or JulanMarche.

As a result of Mr. Molotov’s remarks, a gloomy view is being taken of the proceedings of the Council and of difficulties caused by opposing points of view of the Powers. The Russian colonial aspirations in strategicaly important areas of Africa raise a new problem. Regarding colonies, America favours collective trusteeship, but Russia would prefer individual trusteeship. Russia stands firm by what are considerd elsewhere to be her puppet governments in Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary. The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. E. Bevin, has, on the other hand, said that these governments are not sufficiently representative to warrant diplomatic recognition. Mr. Molotov clearly envisages in the Dodecanese Islands in the east Mediterranean near Greece the apportionment to the Soviet of these Italian islands, rather than a Soviet trusteeship, thus indicating that Russia wants the Dodecanese evidently for strategic purposes. Greece is also claiming the return of these islands. The Question of the Italian colonies, which has been referred to the deputies for recommendations to be made for the next meeting of the Council was first debated at 1 otsdam. This is reported by the .diplomatic correspondent of the Manchester Guardian,” who says: It was somewhat stormilv raised in the first days of the meeting, under the impression that Mr. Churchill and Mr. Truman had not yet worked out a plan of trusteeship. The question as speedily subsided as it had arisen, but the Russians have obviously been working on it since, and once again stake their claim to come out into the Mediterranean as a trustee Power.” . ~ ..... . . So far, there is no official British” reaction to Mr. Molotov s remarks. This, it is stated, Will be given by Mr. Bevin —if he holds a Press conference or makes comment in a speech. Yugoslav Demands BIG FIVE TREND RACE DEMARCATION AND TRIESTE NEUTRALISED LONDON, Sept. 19. The Big Five Council of Foreign Ministers on Wednesday issued the following communique:— The Council which met this morning under Mr Bevin, met. again this afternoon under Mr Molotov. Both meetings were devoted to a further examination of terms for a peace treaty for Italy. The Council agreed that the deputies should consider and report on the problems of the Italian-Yugoslav frontier and Trieste, with the following terms of reference: — (1) To report on a line which, in the main, may be an ethnic line, leaving a minimum under alien rule, on the understanding that appropriate investigations will be carried out on. the snot before a final delimitation of the frontier. ' (2) To report on an international regime which will assure that port and transit facilities at Trieste will he available for use on equal, terms by all international trade, as is customary in other free ports of the world. SOVIET BACKS YUGOSLAVS TN CLAIM TO- GET TRIESTE LONDON, Sept. 19. In his press conference yesterday the Soviet Foreign Commissar, Mr Molotov, gave general support to the Yugoslav claim to Julian March. Though Mr Molotov’s remarks about Trieste were vague it is believed that Russia is disposed to support Yugoslavia’s claim to sovereignty over the port. But Britain and America think Italy should have Trieste 1 under international control. ITALIAN STATEMENT IN FAVOUR OF RACIAL DEMARCATION LONDON, Sept. 19. The Italian Embassy in London tonight issued the following statement about the Yugoslav frontier question. “T’he Foriegn Minister (Signor de Gasperi), now in London for talks with the Council of Foreign Ministers, stressed the wish of the Italians to restore the ties with Yugoslavia, broken by the totalitarian rule of Fascism. Signor Gasperi said that it was hoped that the national minorities on both sides of the border would be reduced to a minimum. Signor Gasperi also stressed the need to ensure the international function of Trieste and urged the Council to adopt emergency measures to obviate the alarming economic and social consequences arising from the present demarcation line. Signor .Gesperi suggested the Wilson line as a possible basis of discussion.”

N.Z. INTEREST IN TRIESTE

LONDON, Sept. 19,

New Zealand’s views on the future of Italo-Yugoslav relations, and specifically on Trieste were given to the Council late last night bv Dr R. M. Campbell, Acting-High Commissioner. With Dr Evatt and Mr Heaton Nicholls, he was present while the- Yugoslavs presented their case to the Council in a statement lasting four hours. They were followed by the Italians, who made a shorter statement. The views of the Dominions were then heard, Dr Campbell speaking after Dr Evatt. Dr Campbell said: “The substance of New Zealand’s comments can only be disclosed by the Government, which will, no. doubt, do so at a later stage.” It is understood that on instructions from Wellington his remarks included two points: Firstly, that New Zealand was particularly interested in Trieste since'the Dominions’ part in the war had started on the first day and ended at Trieste. In fact, had it not ben for the forbearance and commonsense, New Zealanders might have shared the graveyards of .Trieste. Secondly, the part, taken by New Zealand not only in the Italian campaign but in the campaigns leading up to the invas-’ ion of Italy, gave her some claim to state her views.

A message from Caserta, Italy, said Field Marshal Alexander .stated that after the Yugoslav-Italian dispute over the territory of Venezia Giulia had been settled, no Allied troops

would remain south of the Alps.. In the meantime one British and one American Division stationed in the disputed territory would comprise the total occupation forces in Italy when the deployment 'of othei’ troops now stationed there was completed.