THE MEDITERRANEAN

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1945, Page 5

THE MEDITERRANEAN

SOVIET DESIGNS British Opposition BIG FIVE DIFFERENCES WIDEN LONDON, Sept. 21 The question of the Italian treaty has brought into the open differing policies- of the Big Powers. The Yorkshire “Post” diplomatic correspondent says: “There are scant signs of harmony in the Council of Foreign Ministers. One of the delegates informs me that the divergences of views are continuing to mount. Britain long ago gave an undertaking to the Greeks that- the Dodecanese Islands, would go to Greece. America and France are supporting the Britsh case. Italy has also signified her readiness to part with the islands which are almost entirely inhabited bv Greeks, but the Soviet Government apparently does not agree. M. Molotov in a Press conference, stated that the Dodecanese should not be subjected to the trusteeship principle. . Nobod’y has seriously suggested that the islands should be. Though nothing has been said as to what is the Soviet desire in connection with the Dodecanese, I am reliably informed that Russia wants, among other things, a naval base on Leros. The Manchester “Guardian s diplomatic correspondent says: "What set out to be the introduction to a peace settlement has become more and more an exposition of conflict. Hard speaking and hard' bargaining were to be expected. When all the latent problems of aligning separate interests are brought even into the half light of a secret conference, the immensity of the task of composing the difficulties is thrown into sharp relief. , Russia’s strategic designs, disclosed that by her interest in positions that command the Mediterranean, and its exits and embrace also the shores of the Red Sea alone open a vista of conferences to establish a system of world security in which the world can feel secure. Open disagreement on Balkan countries was anticipated'. The whole dispute about governments, recognisable or unrecognisable, has given an impetus to airing both within and without the conference, all the political controversies from which Europe suffers. This may not be a bad thing in itself, but it offers no easy prospect of a peace settlement. It is clear already that this conference has accomplished little but to emphasise its difficulties.” The Yorkshire “Post” diplomatic correspondent states: “I have heard it suggested that Russia will not press unduly for individual trusteeship for herself. It is thought that, baulked for the moment in her desire to reopen the question of the Dard'ennelles, she is advancing her claims for a foothold in the Mediterranean in an effort to get the Council to discuss the Straits question.” TRIESTE PROBLEMS LONDON, Sept. 20 The decision of the Council of Foreign Ministers to refer the question of the Italian and Jugoslav frontiers to their deputies who are to work out a plan in detail, has been variously interpreted, but the weight oi opinion tends to regard it as promising The terms of reference to the deputies are regarded as clear and illuminating, and' a second instruction (to report on an international regime for Trieste) is thought to indicate with some certainty the lines alon gwhich the final terms concerning Trieste may run. Deputies now have the task of drawing up detailed recommendations for an Italian peace treaty, including the future of Italy’s former colonies. These will be considered for final decision _ by the Council at its next meeting, which is expected to take place this year perhaps'in November. Win for Soviet CONTROL OF TRIESTE FOR TITO. (Rec. 9.50). LONDON, September 21. A diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily' Express” said: Diplomats in touch with the Big Five, Council ot Foreign Ministers believe Marshal Tito’s claim to political control of the port of Trieste is to be conceded. This would mean that the British Government has abandoned its original attitude that the port of Trieste should be internationalised.- and that probably under the political control of Italy. A “Daily Mail” diplomatic correspondent says: If Yugoslavia is awarded the sovereignty over Trieste, as seems likely, it will be an important success for the Russians, who will have achieved what they wanted, while leaving .themselves still rompletelv free to voice their interests in the other Mediterranean territories.

East Europe Treaties SOVIET V. WESTERN ALLIES

LONDON, Sept. 20

It is officially stated that the Council of Foreign Ministers to-day considered the general principles of peace treaties with Finland' and Rumania. using the Soviet’s proposals as the basis for discussion. Britain submitted proposals in regard to both treaties and the United States in regard to Rumania. (Rec. 11.5) LONDON, Sept.. 21 A diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” stated: Progress at the Big Five Foreign Ministers Council undoubtedly is slower than was expected. Even if the Council speed's up, the Ministers can hardly hope to deal adequately with their heavy , P ro " gramme before Thursday or Friday of next week. The proposed treaty to Finland may not occupy much time, but when they turn to the Balkans to discuss peace treaties for Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria, the Ministers will immediately enter on controversia ground. The conference may decided that the time has not .yet come for discussing these peace treaties, and may pass on to the next business.

SOVIET’S MAIN OBJECTIVES

LONDON, Sept. 21

In an editorial “The Times’’ said: Perhaps in the tentative Russian claim to Tripolitania, at which M. Molotov delicately hinted, may have been the retort courteous to an attempt by the Western Powers to intervene in regions that are as remote from their normal spheres of interest as Tripoli is remote from Russia. Perhaps it is a reminder of Russian legitimate concern, sometimes too easily ignored, in _ the settlement of Mediterranean Middle Eastern affairs. It seems unlikely to be pressed. It would hardly provide a satisfactory solution for the Tri politanian problem. The “Daily Mail,” in a leading article said: The disclosure of Russia’s Mediterranean ambitions means that she is reaching out to the regions which are of interest to Britain. We are entitled to have the largest share of the discussions about .the disposal of the Italian colonies. ’British Imperial armies conquered the enemy of those territories, just as Russians defeated him in Eastern

Europe: We only need to imagine what. Moscow “Izvestia” and “Pravda” would say to a British claim for a shore of the government of the Polish Ukraine ’to appreciate what kind of a position has now arisen in the Mediterranean. Britain does not wish to play Power politics, but she has rights and claims as well as other nations, and there is no reason why they should not be heard. POSITION OF NOR’-WEST EUROPEAN PEOPLES. ) LONDON, Sept. 19. The Danish Foreign Minister, Mr Moeller, told “The Times” Copenhagen correspondent that as Denmark has been mentioned the connection with General de Gaulle’s recent proposal for a Western European bloc, he wished to say that Denmark’s place was within the framework of the United Nations. Neither Denmark nor any other northern country ought to enter into any regional agreements, but should cry for the same good relations with the East as with the West. BEVIN VERSUS MOLOTOV (Rec. 11.5) LONDON, Sept. 21 The Associated Press correspondent at Paris, quoting a Foreign Office source says: "Numerous tablepounding clashes have occurred between Mr. Bevin anfl Mr. Molotov at the Foreign Ministers Council. There had been heated' arguments on nearly every subject discussed wherein Britain and Russia have had interests. Both men were crashing their fists and resorting to loud tones. This is a contrast to'the calm of the previous important inter-Allied conferences. Mr. Bevin’s temperament is noticeably more volatile than that of his processor, Mr. Eden.” ITALIAN COLONIES BRITISH DELIBERATIONS LONDON, Sept. 20 A diplomatic correspondent in “The Times” stated: The British Government is considering various proposals made for disposing of Italian colonies and will make its viexvs known when the five Foreign Ministers’ deputies meet to draw up the agreed plan. Dominions are no less vitally concerned for anything affecting the Mediterranean and Red Sea affects one of the lifelines of the Commonwealth, apart from wider British interests througout the Middle East. Britain and the Dominions have to approach the problem .of Mediterranean security with the same cares as the Soviet, lor example, shows in building up her security in Eastern Europe. Mr. Molotov’s statement of Soviet policy to the Press has been much discussed. It at one point appears to have been generally misunderstood. When asked about the future of Italian colonies especially Eritrea, he said the Soviet Union had “an interest in this, and could be helpful towards a solution.” It was explained he did not wish to denote special Soviet interest in Eritrea. He meant that the Soviet Union, as an Allied Power, was interested in the whole question of Italian colonies in general. Later and more specifically, he said there was “a grain of truth” in the report that the Soviet Union had asked for trusteeship over Tripolitania. A diplomatic correspondent in the “Yorkshire Post” said: “The Russian desire to be given trusteeship over Tripolitania is not. finding any support among the delegations. The Dominions’ representatives made it clear that they oppose this plan. Apart from the fact that the principle of collective trusteeship has never before been applied, the whole problem with its inherent complexities, is a test case in British eyes as to whether there is to. be. genuine international collaboration in the building of peace. The form of trusteeshin over Italian colonies is going to prove a cardinal issue.” BRITISH MIDDLE EAST INTERESTS LONDON, Sept. 20 All the problems of the Middle East, financial, economic .and social, raised by the return to peace have been examined by Mr. Bevin in consultation with British representatives in the Middle East who have , been summoned to London for discussions. reports the Foreign Office. The Government believed that a survey of the whole field of policy in the Middle East was desirable. Valuable recommendations, which will be considered by the Givernment, resulted from the discussions and it is hoped to contribute to the joint prosperity of the Middle East peoples. The Government, in view of the vital importance of this . region to Empire communications, is impressed with the desirability of strengthening relations with the Middle East on a basis of mutual co-operation, and the promotion of social and economic well-being. The mutual understanding built up in the Middle East by the war-time organisations offers a favourable prospect for fruitful cooperation. BRITAIN AND GREECE LONDON, Sept. 20 The Foreign Office announced that Britain was in agreement with Regent Damaskinos on all points in the recent discussions. The British Government is determined’ to give Greece all the assistance in its power in meeting the economic needs and repairing the material damage suffered in the war It is hopepd that bv the end of September 2,500 lorries will have been delivered to Greece bv the British Army, on behalf of U.N.R.R.A. This will ensure the distribution of relief supplies and home produced food. Britain has already handed over a number of coastal vessels to Greece and hopes to make more available. It is reported from Athens that M. Varvaressos has resigned from the Governorship of the Bank of Greece. In a letter to Admiral Voulgaris he said the Governor must be a financial counsellor to the Government and approve the Government’s financial policy. As these conditions did not exist at present he could not remain. CHANGE IN AUSTRIA VIENNA. Sept. 20 The four occupying Powers approved of Dr. Renner’s nroposal to convene a conference in Vienna next Monday of all Austrian provincial leaders and to discuss a constitution more representative of the Austrian Government. PERSIAN PROTEST AT OPPRESSION. TEHERAN, September 18. Twenty-six editors, representing Teheran newspapers of various oolitical 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-dav 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. COUNCIL OF BRITISH NATIONS AUSTRALIAN PROPOSAL ■ REVIVED

LONDON, Sept. 20 A strong plea for the-creation of a

Council of British Nations was made by Mr. Bruce, in a speech at the British Empire luncheon, given by the London County Council. He said: Individually, British nations, even Britain, cannot influence world affairs comparable with Russia and America, but as a group of nations we are comparable with any lower on earth. Many plans have hitherto been suggested for Emipi'e co-oper-ation, but none was accepted because of ear by some-Dominions of United Kingdom domination. I think the time has arrived when we should recognise that the relationship between the British nations differs from that between foreign nations, only in that we are more closely associated with the Throne by common allegiance and by common ideals and aspirations. There then is surely no reason why m the relations between ourselves we should not accept the same machinery as in the relations with foreign nations. This means the creation of a Council ot British nations, through which we could co-ordinate policies, thus grappling with the difficult problems which face us, if hopes of world co-operation are not realised. Me all look forward in post-war world to peace and economic social progress,” he . said’. “These objectives are best accomplished by international co-operation but if operation is impossible do not let us be afraid, and by God s help e us assure them for ourselves. Whethei we make a contribution to international co-operation, or face the moie unpleasant alternative of safeguarding our own security,- and material well-being, apart from the world system, consultation and co-opera-tion between our groups of British nations is essential.