GENERAL APPROVAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 4 August 1945, Page 5

GENERAL APPROVAL

TINGED WITH CAUTION LONDON PRESS COMMENT London, Aug. 3. Th e initial reaction to the Potsdam Pact in London is one of general approval tinged with caution until a more detailed study of its clauses can be made. Most attention attaches to the terms for Germany and so far there is little or no criticism about that. There is very definitely, however, satisfaction at the attitude adopted towards Spain. Expectations that reference would be made to the Pacific war have not been fulfilled. There is in London official quarters a bland smiling silence on this point, but nobody doubts that matters of importance relating to Japan were discussed and decisions reached. “The Times” in an editorial observed: “The Potsdam plan does not meet every expectation, but it offers a constructive programme over a wide area and once more manifests the unity of purpose if not always the • unity of method of the three major Allies. Once more it brought out that only by continued collaboration and understanding among all three will just and enduring peace be assured.” Reference to military matters in the Potsdam report is the single sentence, “During the conference meetings were held between the chiefs of staff of the three Governments on military matters of common interest.” NOTABLE GAPS Pointing out there are some notable gaps in the Potsdam report, “The Times” diplomatic correspondent says silence over Turkey and the Straits, Persia’s application for the withdrawal of Allied troops and France’s proposal for special international regimes in the Rhineland and the Ruhr, suggests that these matters met difficulties and have been left over for further consideration. It is equally evident that the three Powers found it hard to agree over the eastern European regimes. It is deduceable from the report that Russia wishes Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland to be offered peace treaties fairly soon, but the western Allies have not yet recognised the regimes and wish to make further inquiries as to whether they fulfil the “democratic” condition laid down in the Crimean formula on European reconstruction. Reports coming especially from Rumania and Bulgaria describe the repression of many political parties and the formation of a solid Government bloc. That is why the western Allies so far have hesitated.

Drawing attention to the absence of reference to military matters in the Potsdam communique, the “Daily Express” political writer says he understands • dramatic developments may soon result from the talks of the chiefs of staff of the three Governments. It may be taken as certain that the Russian Government will join in the war against Japan either by a formal declaration or by giving facilities to British and American forces.

The “Daily Herald” declares: “What appeals to us immediately is that in contrast to .some earlier big Power declarations the pact concentrates on detail and expends very few paragraphs on resounding generalities. WHAT AMERICA THINKS SPECULATION ABOUT JAPAN .New York, Aug. 2. Some observers interpret the final section of the Potsdam communique as .implying that military discussions were held regarding the Pacific war, says the “Herald-Tribune's” Washington correspondent. The passage reads: “During the conference there was a meeting between the Chiefs of Staff of the three Governments on military matters of common concern.” Speculation is heightened by the Stalin-Soong conference just before the Potsdam meeting, and talks will be resumed soon. Little surprise is expressed regarding the communique’s general text, but some diplomats considered that in view of the establishment of the Council of Foreign Ministers periodic consultations between the “Big Three” foreign ministers should be abolished. Observers considered that the new council intends to become the ruling voice in European peace, with the smaller Allies called to the peace table simply to ratify the decisions of the big Powers. The “Herald-Tribune” in a leading article says the communique blueprints the principles and machinery for the liquidation of a great modern nation and state and gradual rebuilding along very different and deliberately conceived lines. Nothing of this kind has been attempted in modern times. The “New York Times” Washington correspondent says Congressmen generally are disappointed at the lack of direct reference to Japan because it was widely hoped that Russian-Japan-ese neutrality would have ended. The “New York Times” in a leading article says the agreements on the administration of Germany is momentous as a. proof of unified policy and the key to European peace. FOREIGN REACTION VARIOUS VIEWS EXPRESSED London, Aug. 3. Spanish radio broadcast a full sum. mary of the Potsdam communique, but omitted reference to Spain. Swedish radio said: “We are stilt left in the dark about Japan. It has been widely believed that Russia would have declared war on Japan. There possibly has been secret agreements.” Moscow radio, quoting “Pravda,” said: “The conference testifies a further strengthening of co-operation among the three great Powers. The work of the conference and the decisions taken were directed towards the consolidation of the historic victory gained over German imperialism and towards safeguarding a firm and just peace.” Paris radio on the question of reparations said: “French politicians | point out that the zone provisionally allotted to France consists, apart from j the Saar, merely of agricultural, | wine-growing and wooded regions. Pdague radio says that the Potsdam communique gives the Czechs and Slovaks complete satisfaction by recognising our objective and moral right to rid ourselves of the German minority. This constitutes a resounding victory for Czechoslovak policy. A Berlin report says the German public has had to restrain its curiosity until August 4, when a communique will be published in the newspapers. The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain

says the declaration is disappointing to the Italian Government and to the people. However, cheerful officials are trying to appear, the announcement made it clear that Italy might not have much voice in the decisions of frontiers and colonies. FRAMEWORK OF PEACE SETTLEMENT The “Daily Mail” saj's: “The Potsdam declaration is one of those documents which mark a definite stage in the history of western civilisation. It can mean the beginning of a long peace. It is not the Deace settlement, but it has erected the framework of that settlement. The spirit of this declaration is preventive and not punitive. The most crucial clause decrees complete and final abolition of the German fighting organisation and everything even remotely connected with it.” The “News Chronicle” suggests that reparations proposals are perhaps inevitably both vague and complicated. They are based upon a formula which is related to Germany’s future standard of living. Much of Germany’s industrial equipment will find its way to Russia. “But” asks the “News Chronicle,” “what is to be got by the “occupied” countries of Europe which suffered so disastrously from the Nazi’s spoilation is left undefined?” The paper continues: “In two other important respects the report is unsatisfactory. First, it throws no light on how the Allies propose to reintegrate central Europe. Its problems are as much economic as political. Lasting peace is impossible if the blundei's of 1919 are repeated. Secondly, there is no word anywhere of the small nations —the Dutch, Norwegians, Belgians and Greeks—who suffered so grievously at Hitler’s hands. Justice no doubt will in due course be done, but a few words of hope and encouragement would surely have been welcome ” GOOD JOB OF WORK The “Daily Express” says: “The three big Powers have don- a good job of work, and nobody would be so foolish as to pronounce the plan for Germany watertight in advance. Indeed it will be the stern and constant duty of the Allies to see that the Germans, when they begin to get a little more heart in them, do not discover ways round and through the terms. But it is strong and wise in its provisions and eminently just. In one sentence In the report lies the indictment of the German people. ‘They openly approved and bliridly obeyed’.” The article adds: “The pact shows a mighty stride forward in the world’s progress towards stable peace.” The “Manchester Guardian” remarks that the Potsdam declaration is twice as long as the Crimean but less wordy.. “Democracy” is still made to work overtime without any attempt to define it. “It must be admitted that with the exception of the sections on Germany there is not much in the declaration to justify the hope that the Big Three’ have yet agreed on a cornmen policy for Euiope.” “The Manchester Guardian” diplomatic correspondent says: “The brief announcement of meeting between the Allied chiefs of staff must relate to the Far Eastern war. There can hardly be any doubt chat Russia took part in these conversations and what is not said in the records will probably be revealed in the field of action quite soon. It is a good omen that messages from Chungking confirm the belief in improving relations and contacts between Russia and China, a prelude perhaps to an understanding between the twn great Powers of the East. According to these reports recent conversations led to some agreement at the meeting on Russia’s special interest in the Manchurian railway and port facilities.”