SOVIET MOVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25318, 27 September 1945, Page 5

SOVIET MOVE

CONTROL OF JAPAN FAR EAST VICTORS SUBPBISE IN LONDON LAST STAGE OF TALKS (Reed. 7.30 p.m.) ' LONDON. Sept. M. Molotov surprised the Foreign Ministers' Council yesterday by raising the question of an Allied Control Commission for Japan, says the Daily Herald's diplomatic correspondent. He criticised the American handling of the situation and urged that control of Japan should he in the hands of a commission of the Powers which, in the Russian view, had contributed most to victory in ihe Far Hast, namely, Britain, America, Russia and China.

Hie correspondent adds that there was no suggestion that New Zealand. Australia or India had played any part and should therefore have any share in the control. Not Urgent Matter

The diplomatic • correspondent of the Times says the establishment of a control commission for Japan did not, seem an urgent, task when the Potsdam Conference drew up the programme for the London talks, hut Russia is now anxious to have such a commission established. Britain also has suggestions to hring forward. The American Secretary of State. Mr Byrnes, said Hint his delegation had lint, come to London equipped for such discussions.

It is annomifed in Tokyo that ihe Soviet Ambassador to Japan, M. Malek. will fly to .Moscow tomorrow after an interview with General MaeArthur. There is no statement on what was discussed. Progress Lamentably Slow The correspondent adds that progress is still lamentably slow, even in minor matters, but there is no reason to believe that the Council will disperse without considering Allied control for Japan and the French proposals for Western Germany. The present session, he says, may end within one or two days. The Ministers, therefore, may not have time more than to pass proposals for Germany and Japan to the deputies, with a general recommendation. However, even that would be a step forward, saving much time.

A communique issued after a meeting of the French Cabinet, last night stated that the Foreign Ministers' Council ends today. It added that most of the questions discussed have been referred tf) the deputies, whose decisions will be submitted to the Council when it meets in November.

•The French Foreign Office later denied the report that the Council would end today.

Repatriation 'Discussed

The Council met twice yesterday, the French Foreign Minister, M. Bidault, presiding in the morning and Mr Byrnes, in the afternoon. The Soviet memorandum on the acceleration of the repatriation of Soviet nationals and the repatriation of French nationals from areas under Russian control was considered. The Council also examined the Russian proposals for expediting the work of the Reparations Commission and the French memorandum on restitution.

Although the Council is no nearer agreement on the Balkans questions, the meetings yesterday were held in an atmosphere which had improved since the'*week-end. says the Times diplomatic correspondent. The delegates do not know when they can again discuss the Balkans, but they had two days on other matters, in which they agreed broadly on how Austria should be supplied and discussed the repatriation of Soviet nationals.

This last question is a mass of tangles because Russia claims many Baltic citizens and others from the east of Poland who are now abroad.