Must Prevent Replacing One Totalitarianism For Another

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1945, Page 3

Must Prevent Replacing One Totalitarianism For Another

—Ernest Bevin (Received 1 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20. MAKING HIS FIRST BIG SPEECH IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TODAY, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY (MR. ERNEST BEVIN) DECLARED THAT THERE WOULD BE MUCH IN THE PERIOD AHEAD OF US WHICH WE DID NOT LIKE. ONE THING, HOWEVER, WE MUST AIM AT RESOLUTELY—EVEN AT THE BEGINNING—AND THAT WAS TO PREVENT THE SUBSTITUTION OF ONE FORM OF TOTALITARIANISM FOR ANOTHER. Mr. Bevin went on to define the primary aim of our foreign policy as the economic reconstruction of the world, with our general work based on the decisions we had accepted at Potsdam. Dealing with our policy to particular countries he said of Greece: “Our objective there is the setting up a stable, democratic Government.” The United States and France had agreed to help in supervising the elections in Greece and Mr. Bevin said he proposed to invite representatives of the Dominion Governments, as part of the British contingent of observers. The Regent of Greece, meanwhile, was coming to Britain for a face to face discussion. Discussing the situation in the Balkans he declared: “The Governments which have been set up in Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary do not, in our view, represent the majority of the people and the impression we have got from recent developments is that one kind of totalitarianism is being replaced for another. That is not what we understand by the very much-overworked word ‘democracy,’ which appears to need definition. - The form of Government which has been set up as a result does not impress us as being sufficiently representative to meet the requirements of diplomatic relations.” Mr. Bevin said that also would be our view of the results of the coming elections in Bulgaria.

Great Unsettled Problem

Cne of the great problems that still faced us was Poland, whose actual area would have to be settled at the peace table. Mr Bevin spoke of talks he and Mr Attlee had with the Poles at Potsdam, and said: “We were assured that friendly and secret elections would be held not later, it was hoped, than early next year. W'e expect, in particular, that the principal Polish democratic parties shall be equally, with the Communist Party, allowed to take part in the elections, to make their own programmes and to select their own candidates, and that freedom of speech and association shall be guaranteed to all.” Mr Bevin said he had emphasised at Potsdam that the British people desired friendship with Poland, and nothing could prevent friendly relations except failure to carry out. assurances that had been given. Generalissimo Stalin had given him assurances that Soviet troops would be withdrawn from Poland, except for small numbers needed for communications with Germany. Mr Bevin urged all Poles ovei’seas to return to their own country, where they could vender a greater service than from outside.

in Hongkong. There may still be difficulties, but they will be overcome, and I am sure, in agreement with our Chinese and American allies, that our territory will be returned to us.” It now was learned that the Siamese Regent had issued a proclamation on August 16, denouncing the war declaration against Britain as null and void, and declaring his intention to make restitution. The text would be carefully considered to see if it. could form an instrument to regularise the present anomalous position. Siam's association with Japan left many questions for settlement. Our attitude would depend on the way in which Siam meets the requirements of our troops about to enter her country, the extent to which they are ready to undo the wrongs they have committed, and to make restitution for the loss and damage caused to British and Allied interests, and the extent of her contribution to the restoration of peace, order and economic rehabilitation. Empire’s Interests.

Mr Bevin asked not to be pressed concerning the internationalisation of Europe’s waterways, the question of the Straits and Turkey’s position, all of which would be carefully studied. “I ought, however, to say, in order to make our position clear, that one of the most vital areas affecting the British Commonwealth and Empire, as indeed it does the world’s peace, is the Mediterranean and Middle East. Regarding the Far East, the task of resettlement faces us. In those great areas the problem is no less serious from the viewpoint of the world’s peace than the European problem. The fact that the Far East is a long way oil does not blind us to the necessity of accepting wholeheartedly the new principle that peace is indivisible.”

He was Reviewing foreign policy relating to France, with whom he was anxious that Britain should be on the best of.terms. He would make a detailed statement after talks he would have with the French Government to clear away difficulties, so that both countries could contribute to Europe's economy and stability. A financial agreement had been signed with Denmark, and the Government looked forward to full resumption of trade, which would assist the British food supply. Opening of the Baltic permitted resumption of trade with Sweden. The Finnish Government had been invited to appoint a Minister to London and to regard the British political representative at Helsinki as having similar rank. Conditions in Poland.

Mr Bevin concluded: “It can fairly be said that we held the fort and preserved the soul of mankind. Our policy now must he worthy of our people.”

Poland’s actual future area must he settled at the peace table. He had always supported Mr Churchill’s view of the danger of the Poles going too far west. Final delimitation of frontiers depended largely on what populations returned to Poland.

While at Potsdam, Mr Attlee and he three times made representations to the Polish Government and were assured that all Poles were returning to Poland, whether members of the services or civilians, and would be accorded personal rights and property rights on the same basis as ail Polish citizens.

Mr Attlee and he, at Potsdam, found that there was a kind of vacuum in the area between the Eastern and Western Niesse, owing to the Germans having been driven out and the area largely handed over to the Poles. They had come to'the conclusion that the region’s economy might at least be restored and the territories enabled to contribute to devastated Europe. Mr Attlee and he had been assured by the Polish representatives that the elections would be free, secret and conducted in accordance with the 1921 constitution. It was hoped to hold them not later than early in 1946. They were assured that religion would be free and would remain free. The Poles accepted their request for the right of entry of the world’s Press and the dispatch of uncensored news. Mr Bevin said he asked Generalissimo Stalin whether the Soviet forces would be withdrawn from Poland and was assured that they would be. except for a small number required to maintain communications necessary for the Soviet troops in Germany. That was not unreasonable.

Spain Barred From “Club”

The question of the regime in Spain was one for the Spanish people to decide. He would go no further than the Potsdam Conference, which made it plain that while they did not desire permanently to penalise the Spaniards, Spain could not be admitted “to the club” unless she accepted the basic principle of the people’s right freely to elect their own form of Government.

On the other hand he was satisfied that foreign Powers’ intervention in Spain would have the opposite effect to what was desired and would probably strengthen Franco’s position. The Government would favourably view the Spanish people’s steps to change the regime, but was not prepared to take any step which would promote or encourage Spanish civil war. Both Britain and Russia would withdraw from Persia when the purpose of defeating the enemy, for which reason Persia had agreed to occupation, was accomplished. Hongkong and Siam “We have now taken steps to receive the surrender of Japanese forces