SOMBRE WORLD OUTLOOK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 266, 10 November 1945, Page 5

SOMBRE WORLD OUTLOOK

ATTLEE-TRUMAN MEETING BRITONS LOOK TO IT WITH FEELINGS OF RESERVED OPTIMISM

(Special Corrwpondent—N.Z.P.A.) Reed. 7.10 p.m. London, Nov. 9. Reserved optimism is probably the most accurate description with which the meeting o£ President Truman and Mr. Attlee is anticipated in Britain. The high importance of their discussions is fully appreciated and it is realised that the meeting may become as historic as that of President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill, when the Atlantic Charter was signed. The meeting comes immediately after the statements by the Foreign Secretaries of Britain. America and Russia, in which all three expressed a wish for co-operation, but co-opera-tion that does not extend, at least for the time being, to a pooling of knowledge of atomic energy. Mr. Molotov declares that Russia will have the atomic bomb and much more besides, but, as a result of her own energies. The statements of President Truman and Mr. Ernest Bevin (British Foreign Secretary) agree that, ultimately, discussions on the atomic bomb will extend to other nations, in addition to Britain America and Canada, but until the President and the Prime Minister have concluded their discussions there can be no indication as to what period “ultimately” will cover. CONTINUING MUTUAL SUSPICION In the meantime, despite the avowals that the “big three” desire friendly co-operation there is continuing mutual suspicion between Russia, on the one hand, and Britain and America, o n the other. It is felt here that until Russia shows a livelier interest in the creation of the new world organisation, and until she indicates more willingness to overcome her suspicions. there won’t be much improvement in the position. It was made quite clear in the House of Commons yesterday that although the Allies, during the war, imparted much secret information to Russia, there had not been, as Mr. Churchill remarked, any adequate reciprocity. If Russia was suspicious of the western Powers, therefore, it also was a case that suspicion was not altogether on one side. A position had now been reached where a decision has to be taken as to who is going to make the first definite move in cutting through thus fog of distrust. It was not enough that expressions of a desire for co-operation should be made, and since no move,

apparently was coming at the moment from Russia the meeting of Mr. Truman and Mr. Attlee will be closely watched for any .announcement of definite policy to end the present period of drift.

Ever since tile breakdown of the London conference there has been an increasing mood of cynicism in J his country, and such decisions as the retention of the A.R.P. organisation and refusals to give figures in any detail of the disposition of Britain’s armed forces, or stocks of petrol, for military reasons, tend to increase rather than to dissolve this mood. Mr. Churchill’s sombre opinion that world outlook is less promising today than in 1919, reflects accurately the prevailing atmosphere here, but at the moment it cannot be said that there is wide support for his proposal to form as close an association as possible with the United States, together with Canada and other members of the Commonwealth, to support Mr. Truman in his determination to keep the atomic bomb secret. Despite Mr. Churchill's warm and friendly references to Russia, this policy seems to many to savour overmuch of a division into spheres of influence or blocs and until it is proved that co-operation between all the “Big Three” is impossible, there will be wide and general support for the idea of vesting the secret in either the United Nations Security Council, or the United Nations Organisation. It is in a sombre international atmosphere then that Mr. Attlee will take off from an airfield near Camberley, about 4 p.m. on Friday, for his meeting with President Truman. He is to stay in the White House until Sunday with Mr. Truman and then move to the British Embassy for about a week before going on to Ottawa as the guest of Mr. Mackenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada. It is believed his first serious discussions with Mr. Truman will tak' place on board a yacht while cruising down the Potomac on Sunday. Mr. Attlee is expected to address Congress and also attend a reception given in his honour by Mr. Truman at the White House. It is expected he will be away from London for about a fortnight. It will be as important a period for the world as any since VJ-Day.