OFFENSIVE AGAINST RUSSIA

Chronicle (Levin), 29 May 1946, Page 5

OFFENSIVE AGAINST RUSSIA

Received Tuesdav, S.20 p.m. LONDON, -May 27. Contiiming his statement, tlie lirst of which was publislied yesterday, -Mr. Molotov, referring to the YugoslavItalian frontier, said 110 oue disputed the justice of the Yugoslav claims to YeiK'zia Hiulia yet the British, Ameriean and French delegations wanted the area split into two and some talcen from Yugoslavia. Mr. -Molotov charged British aml Ameriean capital with trying' to bring the economy of big and sniall States under its influence and trying to use tlie economic aid to these countries as the instrument for achie.ving its ends. ''As grouinls for such proposals tliey usually advancearguments about the usefulness of tlie abolitiou of trade restrictions and granting a free liand to foreign capi- j tui," he said. Italy and other States j could not be regarded as colonies where I tlie oceupyiiig l'oivers ''could lord it as j they please. '' Mr. Molotov critieised the Ameriean draft treaty for Italy, under which the | Commission would be invested with executive and judicial powers, as an additional authority to deal with reparations and wai- criminals. Mr. Molotov dec.lared these extraordinarily wide powers would be in contradiction of the sovereignty of italy to which, after signing the peace treaty, -tlie road should be opened for joining United Nations. "On our part it was pointed out that the institution of such a commission coiilradicted Ihe proposal for a mitigation of the armistice terms signed in Paris,'' he declared. -Mr. -Molotov liext turned to Nl" r. Bynies' pro[>osal for a 25 vears' treaty for the deniilitarising of (Iermany. lie disputed Mr. Byrnes' contention that while he was in Moscow last December, he obtained JMarshal Staliu's consent in principle to such a treaty. " Mr. Byrnes, in December, did not have the draft of such a treaty. Marshal Stalin's consent to a non-existent treaty could not have been given," he said. Referring to Mr. Byrnes' uuexpeeted proposal for a Peace Conference in Xoveniber to discuss a treaty for Germany, -\Lr. -Molotov said tliere was no German Government with which a treaty could be concluded. Rejferring to the Italian treaty negotiations, Mr, Molotov said: "We once more met the British-American bloc which was conducting not an offensive for peace but an offensive against the Soviet Union. This is yet another attempt to demolish the agreed procedure for work establisned in recent years and the use of a method of pressure, threats and intimidation. The ineffectiveness of this intimidation in respect of the Soviet Union is obvious. It has already been proved many times but such attempts testify to the determined efforts of certain foreign circles to demolish principles established in recent years for joint work between the Soviet Union and democratic States."

Mr. Molotov added: "Certainly no self-respecting Allied State will allow the will of another State to be imposed ou it. The Soviet Union is one of such States. They say it is sometimes diffieult to draw a line between the desire for securitv and desire for expansion. It is difficnlt, for instance, to understand what interests of the securitv of tlie United States dictate a demand for military bases in Tctdand. It is not for nothing- that in certain countries, advocates of a new imperialist "domination of the world by oue of tlie strongcst States, have now aequired great W'eight." In defending tlie lawful riglits of Russia and principles of friendly cooperation with other democratic nations, and repelling imperialistic and reactionary endeavours from any quarter, -M r. -\rolbtov said Ilussia "is full of assurance of tlie justice of its cause which is directed towards the defence of peace and progress of mankind." No comment has been made in official circles in London on Mr. Molotov's statement nor is any likely, says tlie Press "Association 's diplomatic .correspondent. Most of Mr. Molotov's points wero fully disoussed and reported from Paris.