“Politically Something Has Gone Wrong”

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 205, 30 August 1943, Page 5

“Politically Something Has Gone Wrong”

ANGLO-AMERICAN-RUSS lAN RELATIONS Received Sunday, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 27. In one of tbe most outspoken leaders yet published on the Queooc discussion*, the Daily Mail 3ays the coniersnce ended undisguisably on a note of flatness and frustration, in botn Britain and America there is disappointment and bewilderment and a vague feeling that politically something has gone wrong. Over all Is the shadow ot the great Kremlin mystery. Moscow before the talks began told the world that Russia was not invited. The removal of Litvinov from Washington was announced in the middle of tho conference.

“Explanations of Russian non-parti cipation sounded reasonable enough but it is not surprising that the suspicion has spread that there is some kind ot political rift between Britain, America and Ru3sta. That suspicion is further strengthened by the reported serious quarrel between Mr. Sumner Welles who is reputed to be pro-Russian, and Mr Cordell Hull. A general clearing of the air has become imperative and therein the Russians have got to offer some assistance.

“The first political task of the United States is the calling of a three x'ower Conference to examine, firstly, -uch divergencies as exist; secondly, to hammer out an agreed war and postwar policy. “The Russians in particular would do well to be less enigmatic. Their present aloofness, though to some extent understandable In view of their terrific military task, has ceased to be helpful. Complete lack of knowledge of Russian hopes and intentions after the war keeps Finland and Rumania bound more closely to Germany, sustains doubt in the mind of the Poles and encourages well-disposed neutrals like Turkey and Sweden to remain outside the struggle if the can. Further, it encourages the diehards in England and America and makes permanent world conciliation more difficult.

“Deep and close Anglo-American understanding is a good, indeed a vital thing, but deep and close British Afiierican-Russian understanding would be something very much better. It can be attained only If all the three high Powers concerned cooperate.”