FOUR CHAIRMANSHIPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 28 April 1945, Page 5

FOUR CHAIRMANSHIPS

DEMAND BY M. MOLOTOV SHARP CONTROVERSY IN COMMITTEE San Francisco, April 26. The “New York Times” learns that a sharp controversy ha& developed in the Steering Committee over the election of the conference president. M. Molotov in the sharpest terms rejected a motion that Mr Stettinius be made permanent president, suggesting instead that representatives of the four sponsoring powers, himself, Mr Stettinius, Mr Eden and Dr. Soong should be appointed co-chairmen. After three hours’ discussion the controversy was still unresolved and was postponed until to-morrow.

Mr Ed6n suggested that four be appointed, each to take a turn in the chair during the plenary sessions, but Mr Stettinius to remain chairman of the Steering Committee. The “New York Times” correspondent, James Preston, says: “It cannot be doubted that this unexpected development has already had a profound depressing influence on the delegates. The heads of the delegations said they did not care whether there was one or four chairmen, but they could not find an explanation for M. Molotov’s insistence on the point and particularly they expressed surprise over the sharpness with which M. Molotov expressed himself. This development was particularly surprising in view of M. Molotov’s temperate press conference remarks and speech.

The “New York Times” in an editorial says: “In our judgment Russia’s claim for three votes in the assembly of the new League of Nations needlessly complicates the already complex conference business, but we see no reason to believe that it raises an issue so fundamental or crucial as to jeopardise success. Russia is not asking for three votes in the Security Council. Russia is content with one vote there, one each for the United States, Britain, China, France and six additional countries. Russia is merely asking for three votes in the assembly.”