DOUBTS IN LONDON

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 257, 28 September 1945, Page 5

DOUBTS IN LONDON

CONCERN ABOUT RUSSIA FOREIGN MINISTERS' TALKS

(N.Z. Press Association.—Copyright.) (Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. Is the Council of Foreign Ministers the gloomy failure that the majority of newspaper reports would appear to indicate, and is there real reason to suppose that since the Big Powers apparently cannot agree the world is going to be carved up into blocs and spheres of influence? Fortunately, there are two views on the subject, and, while one is inclined to affirm the tendency to something approaching alarm and despondency, the other sees nothing very unusual in the fact that difficulties are being uncovered and differences of opinion freely stated. While one opinion tends to the belief that there is something sinister about the Soviet intentions, the' other sees in Russia's actions chiefly the methods of the hard bargainer intent on getting what was described here this week as the rewards of two wars rolled into one. For 20 years, the argument runs, Russia was in a wilderness of world politics as a country that had contracted something approaching a contagious disease. Today she is a powerful nation and intends to be treated as an equal. During the' past four years she has almost invariably been, described as a brave, glorious and successful ally.

APPARENT UNITY. The reports on the various "Big Three" talks invariably emphasised, a unity of views and intent.ons - which was not really remarkable since any contrary suggestion would undoubtedly have impeded the war effort. But there were certain differences of opinions at those meetingsand when they were encountered no decision, or at least no very definite decision, was taken. At Potsdam, although the German war had ended, outward unity had to be preserved in.view of the war against Japan. Decisions w ; hich could not be finalised were referred to the Council of Foreign Ministers, which was then establisued, for consultation. Now, for the first time, the fundamental differences of opinion on which tho "Big Three" were unable to agree lire being debated by their Foreign Ministers under circumstances which no longer necessitate the same degree of preserving outward unity or secrecy regarding the proceedings. This now apparent divergency of viewpoints has come as something or a shock to the general public of all nations, who, during the past few years have formed the comfortable habit of assuming that, to use i a colloquialism, everything m the garden is rosy among the "Big Three" We have known or should have known all along . that Britain and America take a different view on many matters from Russia. Surely the onij way of discussing those differences and endeavouring to reach an agreement is to hammer the matter out round the,table— and thump it it necessary. It is. obviously, batter .than various Foreign Ministers talking at one another from their It is much more, preferable that these differences of opinion should be stated here and now. This is not. the last and only meeting of Foreign -Ministers, nor are they deciding finally and irrevocably the peace treaties. LITTLE AGREEMENT. It is true that the Ministers have • needon very little and have referred most of the subjects, to the- deputies, but this in itself is seen by many „ not a very bad thing since ike deputies will have more time to consider the individual points of view in detail than can the Ministers themselves or the heads of Spates. lims a Commission will g? to Venena Giulia and the deputies will have round-table discussions with the vo minion representatives. . Those who tend to adopt -thvs brighter attitude regarding the Cpun cU of Foreign Ministers, aw- at.the same time not wearing r °fe™ ec * glasses. They realise quite well that lo peace conference was ever easy of achievement," certainly not Ver nature, have not changed even m BiS It ye ra o pprr a ently true that there hat heen "table thumping and that some of it has been done by. BrrttauVs delegate (Mr Bevm). While £ was at one time thought that iiritlin might act as intermediary be-, Changed places "with Britain and is acting in something like tnat capS between Britain and America shace Mr Byrnes seems to understand M ' Molotov hetter than does Mr also true that there have been irritations and that the Russians have been responsible for some of them. But the deling is growing that, even if this present conference has revealed many differences and the shadow .of power politics, blocs, spheres of influence and other international paraphenafia/it is at least the beginning. & a" attempt to get real understanding and enduring peace among the. nations and that all hope should not be abandoned incontinently at the first hurdles. , , rwm The Dominions' views on the Council's procedure are reported to be not nnwefcome in official circles in London. ITALIAN RESURGENCE :[\ ROME, Sept. 26. Ttalv hoped to have direct iiegotiaYugoslavia on the basis of future coi laboYation, said Signer Pam, the Italian Premier, addressing, the ConSative Assembly.' He considered that the two Americas.