U.S. Not Opposed To Kuriles For Russia

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1945, Page 5

U.S. Not Opposed To Kuriles For Russia

NEW YORK, September 5. The Secretary for State (Mr ,1. F. Byrnes), at a press conference before departing for London for the meeting of the Foreign Ministers’ Council, said the United States had tacitly agreed that the Soviet should take possession of all Sakhalin Island, also the Kuriles. The matter, he added, was first broached to the United States at Yalta as an informal plan, but no agreement was reached or even attempted. However,' the United States had no particular objection to Russia’s action. Mr Byrnes added that he wanted it clearly understood that the United States made no commitment regarding the Kuriles. He said he planned to confer with the Soviet Foreign Minister (M. Molotov) during the meeting in London. The United States and Russia would reach _an agreement without difficulty:

Mr Byrnes said he was also discussing in London Russia’s hitherto undisclosed refusal to consider the United States proposal that the Powers confer regarding the formation of a new Rumanian Government. He disclosed that there was disagreement in the Department of State regarding the disposition of pre-war Italian colonies, but he and Mr Truman had decided what should be done. I-Ie refused to disclose the decision.