VISIT TO STALIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25345, 29 October 1945, Page 5

VISIT TO STALIN

HARRIMAN AT SOCHI CORDIAL MEETING MESSAGE FROM TRUMAN (Rmi. 6.10 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. '27 The Moscow radio says Generalissimo Stalin, who is holidaying at, Sochi in the Caucasus, received the American Ambassador, Mr Averell Harriman, there on Wednesday. Mr .Harriman handed the Soviet leader a message from President Truman dated October 14, and when he delivered it supplemented it with an additional commentary.

The Times' diplomatic correspondent says it is understood that the message seeks to assure Generalissimo Stalin that the breakdown of the recent Foreign Ministers' conference in London was not due to any ill-will or prearranged policy, but to genuine and honest differences in interpreting the Crimean and Potsdam decisions.

Air Harriman, interviewed after he returned from his visit, said Generalissimo Stalin was enjoying good health. He added that the Russian leader had never received him with greater friendliness or hospitality. All Soviet newspapers have displayed Mr Harriman's interview on the front page. This is the first intimation to the Russian people of Generalissimo Stalin's whereabouts since he began his holiday. The Daily Telegraph's Moscow correspondent says Generalissimo Stalin has lieon holidaying at Sochi since October 7. Generalissimo Stalin is expected to make his first speech since the end of the war on November 7, the anniversary oE the 1917 revolution. It will probably deal with a number of the problems facing 'Russia, particularly foreign policy. Diplomatic circles in Moscow predict that the speech will have a vital bearing on the post-war world.