SPOILS FOR RUSSIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25941, 6 September 1945, Page 5

SPOILS FOR RUSSIA

SAKHALIN AND KURILES UNITED STATES AGREES NEW YORK, (Rec. 10.45 p.m.) Sept. 5. The Secretary of State, Mr J. Byrnes, at a press conference before leaving for London for a meeting of the Foreign Ministers’ Council, said the United States tacitly agreed that the Soviet should take possession oi all Sakhalin and the Kuriles. He said the matter was first broached to the United States at Yalta as an informal plan, but no agreement was reached, or even attempted. The United States, however, had no particular objection to Russia’s action.

Mr Byrnes added that he wanted it • learly understood that the United States made no commitment regarding the Kuriles. He planned to confer with Mr Molotov during the London meeting. The United States and Russia would reach an agreement without difficulty. . Mr Byrnes will also discuss m London Russia’s hitherto undisclosed refusal to consider the United States proposal that the Powers should confer regarding the formation of a new Rumanian Government.

Mr Byrnes disclosed that there was disagreement in the State Department regarding the disposition of pre-war Italian colonies, but he and President Truman decided what should be done. He refused to disclose the decision.