WIDENING COUNCIL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 257, 28 September 1945, Page 6

WIDENING COUNCIL

REQUEST BY AUSTRALIA. ADMITTANCE NOT LIKELY. (N.Z. Press Association.—Copy right.) (Rec. 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 27. It is not believed in London that the Council of 4,'oreign Ministers wi'il agree to admit Austrian or otner "middle belligerent l'owers" to its inner discussions, says the diplomatic correspondent of tne Evening News. While Mr Bevin is keenly sympathetic to Dr. Jivatt's demand tflat Australia should be fully consulted in the peace-making, there are difficulties in tne way of extending the size of tne foreign Ministers' Council or any ocner interim peace conference.

It is pointed out that it Australia or any other of tne British Dominions weie admitted Moscow would claim equal 3 rights for the 16 associated Soviet Republics. If other "middle Powers" were added to these the conference would become unwieldy. It is expected, however, that closer consultation will be accorded Australia and tlie other interested Bowers. VALIDITY OF CLAIMS.

"The Dominions' claims to share in the peace-making have the British people's sympathy and support," says the Daily Mail in an editorial. "There can be no question of either the validity or the justice of the demand of the Britisii nations which have taken a foremost part in winning the war," it states. "Their great exertions entitle them to a voice in the settlement, but it is doubtful if they will find places at the table now occupied by the so-called • 'Big Five.' It is too late to find places tor them in the foreign Ministers' Council, the deliberations of which, at least for the time being, are drawing to a close, liven if it were possible, it seems- certain that Russia would immediately seek the admittance of the separate Soviet .Republics. The United States would be compelled to follow suit — probably by sponsoring some • South American countries. The result would not be a peace conference, but an unwieldy debating society. "It is absurd in British eyes to compare the Britisii Empire countres with the Russian .Republics. The Dominions are separate States which tought with our own Armies, Navies and Air Forces. It is impossible to imagine the Ukraine or Byelo-Russia voting against the Moscow Government at any international conference; yet it has often happened that the Dominions have voted against Britain or against each other.

"Here is the British Empire's weakness as an entity. The Dominions are denied the status of independent nations on occasions like this; yet they do not enjoy the advantages of federal solidarity. "In our view the methods of consultation at present employed are not enough. There is absolute necessity for the Empire to speak and act in aiuch closer integration than has been the case so far. it interests us all to be wed served in the post-war era. The britisii countries, because they went to last year's Chicago world air talks with no concerted plan, came away with less than was due. There has been no Empire policy at the Council of Foreign Ministers nor evidence of such a policy at the Washington financial talks."

The Council of Foreign Ministers has already been brought much nearer to agreement over Hungary, says the Times diplomatic correspondent. Alter the announcement that Russia and America are prepared to recognise the Hungarian Government it may be presumed that Britain is equally ready and has been in consultation with the others. The Bulgarian and Rumajiian Governments present much greater difficulties, but, after much plain speaking on fundamental principles and policies a way forward is evidently being sought. The Moscow "The spotlight of attention at the London meeting of Foreign Ministers has been focussed on the Governments of Rumania, Bulgaria and Hungary m an attempt to distract public attention from Greece, where the will of the majority is being trampled upon. It is not with securing rights for the supporters and accomplices of 1 ascism that Democracy must concern herself."