TEMPERS COOLED

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23114, 31 January 1945, Page 4

TEMPERS COOLED

Situation Easier In Greece Wide Range Of Peace Talks By Telegraph—N 2 press Assn —Cooyrtgm (Rec. 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 30. . With the situation easier in Greece, tempers in Britain have cooled, and save for references to the vigour of Mr Churchill’s treatment of his critics —of which Government supports heartily approve—little comment is being made here. Fairly wide publicity is being given to Sir Walter Citrine’s visit and to reports of the treatment of hostages at the hands of ELAS, which have killed much enthusiasm for this party. It is stated that no date has yet been fixed for the peace negotiations in Athens. They’ were to have been held last week, but it is now hoped that they will be held this week. “The delay,” says the diplomatic correspondent of the "Manchester Guardian,” “has been caused by a difference of opinion between ELAS and the Greek Government about the number and character of ELAS delegates. While ELAS wished to send six delegates, including some “moderates” the Greek Government Insisted that the delegation should be limited to three, and should consists of responsible members of the Communist Party. The Government’s refusal to negotiate with any more moderate elements of EAM springs from a fear that anything they might say or sign might, in the light of past experience from the Lebanon onwards, be subsequently repudiated by the Communists.

The peace talks will have to range over a wide field, for political issues are still dominated by military factors. ELAS are still in armed control of nearly half of Greece. Yugoslav Crisis Hopes are now brighter that a solution of the Yugoslav crisis will be found. British and American official opinion has become clarified in King Peter’s objections to the Tito-Subasic agreement providing for the establishment of a Regency Council, states the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph.” He adds that both here and in the United States there is a wish expressed in definite terms that the agreement should come into operation as soon as possible. The “Observer” says that the British Government’s firm stand by the agreement cannot have failed to impress King Peter. On the other hand, readiness to compromise was universally enhanced when it became clear that the United States regarded King Peter’s observations on that agreement as reasonable, and that a Government formed with disregard to King Peter was unlikely to receive American recognition. The “Observer” considers that unless there is some last minute hitch, a solution will probably follow on the following lines: Dr. Subasic will formally resign, but will be re-entrusted to form a Government, broadened to include more representatives of Yugoslav democratic parties. This enlarged Government will then fuse in Belgrade with Marshal Broz-Tito’s committee, and form a Provisional Yugoslav Government. The King will appoint a

Regency Council. The Avnoy, or antiFascist Council of National Liberation will provisionally exert legislative power provided by the agreement, and will be enlarged by taking in all the surviving deputies of the pre-war Parliament except those who collaborated with the enemy.

It is considered now that a suggestion for solving the Polish problem will be examined at the forthcoming meeting between Mr Churchill, President Roosevelt and M. Stalin. It is based on M. Mikolajczyk’s idea that neither the Poles’ London Government nor the Lublin Government can provide a satisfactory administration for Poland pending elections and the making of a new constitution. He suggests that both should be scrapped, and an entirely new Government formed by agreement representing all democratic elements, and with a definitely progressive programme. Material for Compromise The “Economist” considers that it would seem that there is material for a compromise. Lublin Poles have possession and growing popularity to offer, London Poles have loyalty and established support. “If,” adds the “Economist,” "Russia, Britain and the United States could. simultaneously withdraw the recognition of their respective Governments and construct a provisional Government out of the most acceptable members of both, under the leadership of M. Mikolajczyk, then at one stroke the most dangerous cause of friction would be removed, and a reasonably representative Polish Government established.” Relations between Russia and Czechoslovakia recently showed some divergence. The occupation of subCarpathian Ruthenia by the Red Army was followed by demands in Kiev that it should be incorporated in the Soviet instead of Czechoslovakia. It seemed at one stage that the Soviet Government was ready to encourage Ruthenian irredentism in sharp contradiction to Russia’s pledge to restore Czechoslovakia within its pre-Munich frontiers. Some considered this was the Soviet way of expressing irritation at the fact that Dr. Edouard Benes had not recognised the Lublin Poles as the French Government had done. The Soviet Government has now disclaimed all responsibility for the demands for the incorporation of Ruthenian territory. In reply to Dr. Benes it stated it considers itself bound by its obligations to Czechoslovakia, and ascribes the responsibility for the campaign in Kiev to local Ukrainian authorities who allegedly acted on their own: Dr Benes is believed to have received an assurance that the campaign will end.