BIG THREE SECRET

Grey River Argus, 31 January 1946, Page 5

BIG THREE SECRET

KURILES FOR SOVIET Yalta Deal During Pacific War WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 The Secretary of State, Mr. J. F. Byrnes stated that at the Big Three meeting at Yalta there was a secret agreement for the United States to support Russia’s claims to the Kuriles. The agreement was reached with the full knowledge of American military leaders, but he personally, did not know of it until a few days after the Japanese surrender. Mr. Byrnes explained the agreement was reached on the last day of the Yalta Conference, after his departure. ’

Asked why the Kuriles Islands document had not yet been published, Mr. Byrnes said he saw no reason why it should be published now. He said that Mr. Roosevelt regarded H as a high miltary secret. Mr. Byrnes explained that Russia at Yalta agreed eventually to entel the Pacific war, but said that i’< would' take much time to move troops from the western and eastern front.

Russia, under the agreement, was to receive southern Sakhalin and the Kuriles Islands (north of Japan) lapping Russia’s eastern shores and from which the Japanese launched the Aleutians assault early in the war.

Mr. Byrnes said he understood the agreement also covered the post-war status of Port Arthur and Darien, which was already formalised in the Sino-R'Ussian Treaty. The Associated Press points out that the ceding of any territory such as southern Sakhalin and' the Kuriles must only be formalised hi a treaty. RED ARMY CLYC LEAVING MANCHURIA. (Rec. 9.15). PEIKING, January 29. A Soviet evacuation of Manchuria is reported to be progressing as swiftly as possible. Authoritative circles say that only fiv,* 1 thousand of the original Russian garrison of forty thousand troops remain in Mukden. Transportation shortages has prevented the Russians meeting the evacuation deadlines on January 15 for Mukden, and February 1 for the rest of Manchuria. It is hoped that Chinese Government armies will be in full control in Mukden within seven to ten days.