U.S.A. Is Closely Interested In Outcome Of The Commonwealth Conference

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 April 1949, Page 5

U.S.A. Is Closely Interested In Outcome Of The Commonwealth Conference

V'AS] 11\( ;t< ).\. April 18 (Bee. li pm).—Although regarding it as “a family all'air,” the United Slates, diplomatically speaking, is manifesting a keen interest in the outcome of the forthcoming Commonwealth Conference in London. A high State Department official declared: “We are very interested. We wish them luck.” The comment expre-ses the United States concern that whatever formula that might be worked out on file question of allegiance to the Crown it will mean r.o weakening of the strength that the Empire has represented in the past.

The official said: “We have al high regard for the stabilising influence represented by that asso-| eiation of nations known as the : British Commonwealth. We hope and see no reason to doubt t’riat, the relationship will suffer noj

weakening.” Observers in Washington are inclined to accept the case of Eire as. affording an index of what will happen with regard to India. Although India may soon renounce formal I

bonds tying her io Britain, as Eire did, it is felt that the real tics between the Motherland and her former possession will be no less close than those which continue to link Britain with her neighbour across the Irish Channel. Officials are unwilling to speculate on the means whereby the Empire relationships will be sustained, but there is a real confidence that common interests and ideals will dictate some ae ceptaUte formula. Americans frankly recojßh that insofar as unity refwesentsWPmgth, it is in the ‘ United States’Twn interests that there should be a continuing association of likeminded nations subscribing to a political philosophy so closely approximating its own. It is regarded as .1 certain that defence will figure largely in the conference considera- | tions.