CAUSING GLOOM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 224, 21 September 1945, Page 5

CAUSING GLOOM

ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA (Special Correspondent—N.Z.P.A.) Reed. 6 p.m. London, Sept. 19 The curtain shrouding the proceedings of the Council of Forie m Ministers was jerked sharply '‘asiue when Mr. Molotov held a Press conference at short notice and confirmed the reports cabled to America from London about Russia’s Mediterranean aspirations. Chain-smoking Russian cigarettes, Mr. Molotov gave a clear hint that his Government wanted trusteeship over the former Italian colony of Tripolitania and had an interest in the future of Eritrea. He gave general support to the Yugoslav claim to the Julian march. As a result of Mr. Molotov’s remarks a gloomy view is being taken over the proceedings of the Council and the difficulties caused by the opposing points of view of the Powers. Though Mr. Molotov’s remarks about Trieste were vague, it is Relieved that Russia is disposed to support the Yugoslav claim to sovereignty over the port. But Britain and America think Italy should have Trieste, under international control. Regarding the Italian colonies, America favours collective trusteeship, but Russia would prefer individual trusteeship; the Russian colonial aspirations in strategically important areas of Africa raise a new problem. Russia stands firm by what is considered elsewhere to be the puppet Governments of Bulgaria, Rumania, and Hungary. While Mr. Ernest Bevin has said that these Governments are insufficiently representative to warrant diplomatic recognition. In the Dodecanese Islands, Mr Molotov clearly envisages apportionment rather than trusteeship, indicating that Russia wants the Dodecanese evidentlv for strategic purposes. Greece is also claiming the return of these islands. The question of the Italian colonies, which has been referred to the Foreign Ministers’ deputies for recommendations to be made Io the next meeting of the council, was first debated at Potsdam. This is reported by the diplomatic correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian,” who says: “It was somewhat stormily raised in the first days of that meeting under the impression that Mr. Churchill and President Truman had not worked out a plan of trusteeship. The question as speedily subsided as it had

arisen, but the Russians obviously have been working on it since and once again stake their claim to come out into the Mediterranean as a trustee Power.” BRITISH .

So far there is no official British 1 reaction to Mr. Molotov’s remarks. This, it is stated, will be given by Mr. Bovin- if he holds a Press conference or makes comments in a speech. New Zealand's views on the future of Italo-Yugoslav relations, and specifically on Trieste, were given to the council late last night by Dr. K. M. Campbell, Acting High Commissioner. With Dr. H. V. Evatt and Mr. Heaton Nicholls, he was present while Yugoslavs presented their case to the council in a statement lasting for four hours.

They were followed by the Italians, who made a shorter statement. The views of the Dominions were then heard. Dr. Campbell speaking after Dr. Evatt.

Dr. Campbell said: “The substance of New Zealand’s comments can only be disclosed by the Government, which will no doubt do so at a stage.” It. is understood that on instructions from Wellington his remarks included two points, firstly, that New Zealand was panicularly interested in Trieste since the Dominion's part in the wax, which had started on the first day, had ended at Trieste. In fact, had it not been for forbearance and commonsense, New Zealanders might have shared the graveyards of Trieste. Secondly, the part taken by New Zealand, not only in the Italian campaign, but in the campaigns leading up to the invasion of Italy gave her some claim to state her views. Dr. Campbell said: “In my official experience I have never been concerned with a problem on which inructions and information have been given by the New Zealand Govcrn- ■ ■g; with g: eater clarity and promptGREEKS FEAR - OUTCOME . .1. 6 p.m. Athens’ Sept. 19 Mr. Molotov’s declaraCons concerning Greece and the reports that*his objections prevented an invitation being sen' Io Greece to attend the Foreign Ministers’ Conference are causing anxiety here. The fceiing of (iisihusionment is aggravated by the fear that the principles of the United Nations Charter may be discarded ajpd also by the Soviet territorial clmms to the Dodecanese. the Greek character of which, it is claimed, is universally recog-