CONTROL OF BALKANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26274, 4 October 1946, Page 5

CONTROL OF BALKANS

PROMISES TO RUSSIA BROKEN SECRET AGREEMENT ALLEGED WASHINGTON, Oct. 2. Six secret agreements at the "Big Four ” Teheran Conference v in 1943. under which Russia was allegedly promised certain things, including control of the Dardanelles, were quoted by a witness before a special House Committee investigating war surplus disposal. The witness, Mr James E. Waddell, War Assets Administration Consultant, giving evidence on oath, said the agreements were:— (1) That Rumania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Greece should come within the sphere of Russian control and influence. (2) Russia was to be given 2,000,000 German war prisoners for 10 year* after peace to rebuild the ravages of war in Russia. 3. That neither China, America, Russia nor Britain ,was to wage future war without the consent of the other three Powers. 4. Russia was to have free use of the Straits of Gibraltar, and tire Panama canal, and the Suez canal, and outright control of the Dardanelles. 5. Russia was to be given free trade with Britain and her colonies, also the United States and possessions. 6. America was to receive air bases in Russia for use against Japan, and Russia was to enter the Japanese war if Britain and America established a Western front by May 1, 1944. Witness declared that Russia twice demanded fulfilment of the agreement on the Dardanelles. The present troubles in Greece arose from the broken promise to Russia with respect to Balkan control. Russia intended to have Greece, and would eventually fight for it. Witness claimed that he received the contents of the agreement 48 hours after it was made. He was prepared to reveal the source of his information to a properly-constituted congressional inquiry.