BRITAIN AND ALLIES

Waikato Times, Volume 132, Issue 22150, 23 September 1943, Page 5

BRITAIN AND ALLIES

MR EDEN’S CONFIDENCE REPLY TO CRITICISM (Official Wireless) (Received Sept. 23, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, Sept. 22 “Broadly our interests do not clash and all our interests are in peace,” Mr Anthony Eden declared when answering criticism in his reply to the debate on the war in the House of Commons. “We want to build a peace system that will endure, backed by the necessary authority to prevent a re- : currence of these scourging wars.” | Mr A. Greenwood said there was the sincerest desire that after the | war there should be the closest pos- ' sible relations between Britain, the United States and the Soviet. He appreciated the possibility of differI cnees arising between the United | States and the Soviet. Some, indeed, | were already apparent, but not the greatest empire in the world could after this war live unto itself alone. Referring to Britain’s attitude towards Italy and Germans and the liberating of countries, he urged that liberation should mean the opposite of the Germans’ conception of “liberation,” and said that “Liberty” should be emblazoned on all flags of the nations advancing against the enemy. Other members criticised the bombing of Milan and Turin after the f/tll of Mussolini, also Mr Churchill’s absence from England. They also criticised the United Nations for treating with Marshal Badoglio and King Victor Emmanuel. Mr Eden’s Reply Mr Eden said the kind of Government they wanted to see in Italy was one as broadly based as possible, including all elements and i parties of an anti-Fascist character. They would do their best to bring that about and anyone prepared to help in the fight against Hitler would be welcomed. The delivery of the Italian Fleet was honestly and courageously carried out. In Corsica French and Italian troops were fighting together successfully against the Germans.

Mr Eden said he agreed absolutely and entirely with Mr Greenwood that they should seek the closest collaboration with the Soviet. That was the policy of the British Government and it would be persisted in. When it was said that there could be no collaboration not based on confidence he agreed, but confidence could not be created by one side alone. He was satisfied that the British Government had nothing to reproach itself with in the matter. Concerning the criticism that the bombing of Italy was continued after the armistice Mr Eden said: “The first Italian envoy arrived in Madrid on August 15 and we first received a telegram about it on August 16. He arrived at Lisbon on August 17. Our negotiations began from August 18 to 19—the first day we knew that there were people who had some credentials to negotiate. The last occasion of the bombing of Milan was the night of August 15, and the last occasion of the bombing of Turin was the night of August 16 and 17. “Our information had been extremely accurate. We judged that the Italians would not fight and we judged aright. I had grave doubts as to whether they might not fight.” Talks with Russia

Speaking of Russia Mr Eden said: “If there have not been as many personal exchanges by leading persons as we would like it is fair to say that we have made more than our share in efforts to meet our allies. With that spirit we shall approach problems. If we are to understand one another we must be frank. I always believed in intensely close and intimate relations between this country and Russia. I believe them essential to the defeat of the enemy and a lasting peace when the struggle is over. We shall have differing points of view, but broadly the interests of the British Commonwealth, the United States, Soviet Russia and China are the same.

“In a few weeks I shall be going to meet my opposite numbers with the determination to do everything to reach a generous measure of understanding on all problems, so that we can best prepare the way for that greater event, a meeting between Marshal Stalin, Mr Roosevelt and our Prime Minister. If we approach the meeting in a spirit of understanding of each other’s point of view and with candour I believe we shall best prepare for a final understanding. If we can do that even the horrors of this war will not have been in vain. It is to that work we have set our hands.”