ALLIED TALKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25211, 25 May 1945, Page 8

ALLIED TALKS

VOTING PROCEDURE * NO FINAL AGREEMENT FIRM SOVIET 'ATTITUDE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Reed. 8.30 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, May '23 The small nations have presented ■ to the Big Four at the San Francisco Conference 22 questions designed to clarify the voting formula proposed at Yalta, says the New York Times correspondent. Although the questions have been framed to remove some of the Big hives • veto authority the questions the small nations have not asked indicate a willingness to allow greater powers of veto than .they seek to take away. . A Soviet representative told Britain, America and China that the Russians were willing to subscribe to a liberal interpretation of the Yalta voting formula. but insisted that they could not agree to any alteration in-the substance of the Yalta agreement. The Russian representative, in a long meeting with technical experts, indi- _ cated that the Soviet might be willing to forgo certain rights of veto over a peaceful settlement of small nations disputes, but was adamant that the Yalta voting agreement should be carried out to the letter. Regional Arrangements

There are indications that the four sponsor Powers will not answer the smal nations' 22 questions specifically Instead they will place a general explanation of the voting procedure before the conference. , , The Associated Press correspondent savs the committee on regional arrangements has accepted a proposal that •until the world organisation takes, the necessary steps to maintain peace 1 groups of nations may take mutual ae > fence measures if any of their number are attacked. The Latin Americans have already approved the formula as granting adequate recognition to the panAmerican defence sys±em. The committee has now n™ sh ™ .J 1 . 8 work, except for action on the dentation of collective security, which is desired by Kgypt.

Ending Early in June After a conference with President Truman, the Secretary of State, Mr , Stettinius, announced that the Presi- ;■ dent will address the final plenary session of the conference. "It is impossible & give the exact date," Mr Stettin,us sain, "but 1 am confident that the con : ference will come to a successful conclusion some time early m -Tune.