TRIED TO AVOID FAILURE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23322, 4 October 1945, Page 5

TRIED TO AVOID FAILURE

Efforts Of Russian Delegates Moscow Broadcast By Telegiapn -NZ Pres.- Assn A.-iuvrlgh’ (10.50 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 3. The Moscow radio claimed that M. Molotov made a last-minute effort to keep the London Conference of Foreign Ministers in session, but the British and American delegates turned down his proposals, says the Associated Press. The radio, quoting a Tass Agency message from London, reported that M. Molotov disagreed strongly with Mr Ernest Bevin and Mr James F. Byrnes about the procedure of the Balkan treaties, but had noted that the conference agreed on other points. He. therefore, proposed:— (1) All five Powers should sign the protocols on the work of the Reparations Commission in Germany. on Austria, and also “other questions.” (2) Four Powers, excluding China, should sign on the points agreed in the Italy Treaty. (3) Russia. Britain and America should sign the agreements relating to the treaties with Rumania, Bulgaria and Hungary. (4) Britain and Russia should sign the agreements relating to Finland. The radio added: "Tire acceptance of such proposals would have shown exactly on what questions agreement had been reached and would have created a friendly atmosphere for a further review. The other Ministers did not agree." Serious Differences A Tass Agency report broadcast said: “It must be borne in mind that on some questions there were serious differences of opinion. For example, Mr Bevin and Mr Brynes insisted that France and China," which did not even declare war against Bulgaria, Rumania and Hungary, should be included in the preparation of the peace treaties with those countries in direct contradiction to the decisions of the Potsdam Conference, which determined that the drafting of treaties should be incumbent on the countries which signed the armistice '.terms. The Russian delegation, therefore, did not agree to accept this and similar proposals. "Notwithstanding this, the Russian delegation endeavoured to ensure that the first session of the Council should not end without result, but should further the decisions of Potsdam Therefore, the Russian delegation yesterday brought up proposals aimed at a friendly settlement of differences of opinion.”