SOURCES OF FRICTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26216, 29 July 1946, Page 6

SOURCES OF FRICTION

URGENT REMOVAL NEEDED BREEDING GROUND OF WAR (Rec. 1 a.mj WASHINGTON, July 27. "It seems to me that the hope of avoiding some new and terrible war greatly depends on how quickly we can remove the dangerous sources of friction left in the wake of the last war,” said Mr James Byrnes in a statement broadcast after he left by air for Paris. He instanced the Trieste rivalry between the Italians and the Jugoslavs as undermining unity between the larger Powers. “ Progress in peace-making "so far has been the product oi compromise,” he said. “There is no use pretending that more compromises will not be necessary if we are to go the rest of the way. I know that many believe it would be much better if the four principal Allies did not go to the conference. with agreed texts, but peace treaties which fix boundaries ana dispose of colonies and territories cannot be made effective unless they command the assent of the principal Allied States.

Twenty-seven years ago large and small States met at Versailles without any preliminary understanding between the large States, but the principal issues had to be fought out and decided by a Council of the Big Four, and in the end I doubt whether the small States were given as much opportunity to express their views as will be given them at Paris. Unfortunately, in a world where national States jealously guard thjeir sovereignty, there is no ideal peace-mak-ing procedure, but I am convinced that we are on the road back to peace.” Mr Byrnes/ added that it was important to begin to withdraw the occupation troops wherever world security permitted. It was important to settle explosive disputes over boundaries of territory. It was important to fix a reparations bill so that the defeated enemy could begin to pay it off and see the end of the road. It was important to provide more food, Houses and clothing.