POTSDAM TALKS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23262, 25 July 1945, Page 5

POTSDAM TALKS

Drawing To Close British State Dinner I By Telegraph—N.Z Press Assn.—Comriglu <3.30 p.m.) LONDON. July 24. After quoting an American spokesman as saying that the Big Three met to-day and are driving ahead, Reuter’s correspondent at Potsdam says there is a feeling in Berlin that the conference is drawing’ to a close. The report of Mr Churchill's intention to return to England for the declaration of the poll on Thursday is not confirmed, but it is not believed he could be away when the results are announced. If the business of the conference is not finished before Thursday the Big Three may issue an interim announcement and either hold a further meeting later or delegate pressing matters affecting Germany to the Allied Control Commission. An official statement issued from Potsdam says that Mr Churchill and his daughter last night received Presi-

dent Truman and Generalissimo Stalin at the door of his house at Potsdam for a State dinner. The Big' Threa shortly afterwards appeared for a few moments at the front door. The guests included the three foreign secretaries, Mr C. R. Attlee. Admiral W. D. Leahy the three chiefs of staff. Marshal Zhukov, Field-Marshal Sir Harold Alexander, Field-Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, General Sir Hen. v Maitland-Wilson. Sir Edward Bridges. General Sir Hastings Ismay, and Lord Moran. The R.A.F. string orchestra played items for the dinner, including pieces requested by Mr Churchill and Generalissimo Stalin.