SAN FRANCISCO TALKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25851, 23 May 1945, Page 6

SAN FRANCISCO TALKS

SATISFACTORY PROGRESS

DRAFT OF WORLD CHARTER SAN FRANCISCO, (Rec. 11.59 p.m.) May 21. Mr E. R. Stettinius announced that progress at the conference was most satisfactory, and he hoped it would be possible to draft the world charter in about a fortnight.. Two plenary sessions might suffice to complete the conference’s work. Mr Stettinius said he would go to Washington this week to see President Truman about a non-conference matter. The small nations demonstrated today that they disliked the voting procedure arranged at Yalta and intended to oppose it as soon as they found out what it meant, says the New York Times correspondent. The Russians made it quite clear to the other sponsor Powers and to the small nations that they think the Yalta voting procedure gives them the right to veto proposals for a peaceful settlement of a dispute when Russia is not a party to the dispute. The United States delegation is supporting Russia, though most of the members of the delegation do not like this aspect of veto aijy more than the small Powers. . The British delegation is still debating about the implications of this particular aspect of the veto. Sir Alexander Cadogan interpreted it as meaning that in certain circumstances the “ Big Five” would not have the power to veto proposals for a peaceful settlement of disputes when they are not directly involved, but he is. opposed not only by the Russians and the Americans, but by members of his own delegation. The 'issue is fundamental. Word is now being passed around by at least two of the “Big Five” delegations that if the small nations persist in their present opposition to the Russian and American view and succeed in amending the veto Russia will not ratify the charter. Before adjourning in June the conference will establish an interim organisation with the following tasks:— First, supervising the continued work on questions not settled at San Francisco; secondly, arranging the absorption of the old league into the new; thirdly, fixing the date and city for the new league’s first meeting.