IN EFFORTS TO LET EUROPE LIVE AGAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 14 June 1946, Page 8

IN EFFORTS TO LET EUROPE LIVE AGAIN

LONDON, June 12. Mr. Bevin, Foreign Secretary, addressing the Labour conference at Bournemoutli, spoke on Russian relations, saying : " If you want to mellowT "the position between Russia and Bii tain, remcmber that the greatest enemieo to friendship are Russian suppoiters in this countn*. They always have becn. " Mr. Bevin revealed that Mr. Stalin wanted to ameiul the Russo-British treaty when Mr. Bevin had olferei} an extension of 50 years. "I replied: fLet me know what will suit you,' " he ^aid. "Wliat more could I do? When the Foreign Ministers' Council meets again in Paris next week, I will not say anything that is liltely to cause ill-feeling or trouble. " Mr. Bevin thpn deelared that though each of the speeclies f> f lUessrs klOlotov and Stalin was reported in the British newspapers, the speech he made in the House of Commons had not yet appeared in a single Russian paper. "What is the reason for the Russia ns not being allowed to know what is happenihg elsewhere?" he asked. Mr. Bevin also revealed that he had proposed reciprocal air services between Loiulon and Moseow but was tohi by Russia that British planes would be allowed to fly into Russia only on special occasions and by special arrangement. "If I caunot ge.t reciprocity what can I do?" he asked. "I cannot go to war to force them." He said he did not know what steps would be taken. to get the peaee treaties drawn up, but no one nation could keep Britain for ever in a state of war. To go on that way was indefensible. Although an Eastern bloc exisfed, he had deliberately not pressed for an alliance with. France in order not to upset Europe. • Neither he nor any otlier member of Cabinet would be, u party to the reallotment of British forces in order to attack Russia Mr. Bevin said that Britain was not giving a moment's consideration to expansion in the divisio?r of Europe. The awful business of drawing a line t'rom Stettin to Albania, and behind that a solidifled position, would mean two camps in Europe, and that would be the road to another struggle. He urged a treaty with Anstria and tho evacuation of the troops from the Danube Basin, to let Europe live again. This would be the quickest way to obliterate the memory of Hitler. Mr. Bevin spoke after several delegates had supported resolutions criticising the Government 's foreign policy, regretting the deterioration in relations with Russia, and calling for reorganisation of the Diplomatic Corps. Replying to these, Mr. Bevin asked the delegates to exereise patienee. "I cannot be expected in ten months to solve everv liuman problem thrown up by the war," he said. "You cannot build a new world in ten months. Give me four or five years, and see what results can be produced. "I have taken on a diffieult task, but I shall do my best. If before I leave oflice I ean earry Ihe world organisation a stage further, I shall be very happy. Many of the fruits of my present labours will not reveal themselves for 20 or 25 years."