THE MOSCOW CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 21, 20 October 1943, Page 4

THE MOSCOW CONFERENCE

It is significant that, despite stirring news from more than one theatre of war, with the Allied forces on the offensive and military developments of unusual importance anticipated, such widespread attention is being paid to the pending conference of the representatives of three Allied nations at Moscow. The interest. displayed is an indication of the importance attached to the discussions, and during the last few days, according to the cable messages, there has come a feeling of optimism regarding the possible outcome. The latest reports from the Soviet capital make reference to “hopeful expectations that in the military, .political and economic councils decisions will be taken that will hasten .victory.” That at least affords an impressive indication of the scope of the deliberations and also of, their immense importance. 4 The decision of Mr. Cordell Hull, despite his age and the fact that he recently had been very ill, to make the tiring journey from Washington to Moscow, haS added to both that interest and that importance, and incidentally gives added point to the public statements which the American Secretary of State has made from time to time on international issues. The most important, because it was said to “state authoritatively the Government programme,” was the broadcast speech delivered last month. Mr. Hull spoke of “a system of organized international co-operation for the maintenance of peace, based upon the willingness of the co-operating nations to use force, if necessavy, to keep the peace.” And he added ’ “The nations that stand for peace and security must now make up their minds and act together or there will.be neither peace nor security.” The first real step toward the attainment of these things must lie in joint action on the part of the chief Allied Powers themselves. They must be ready to co-operate or the prospect of the post-war order will Se black indeed. On the other hand if, as a result of this conference —carried to completion by a later meeting of the heads of the three Governments—the foundations were laid for close economic and political collaboration, then that alone would inspire confidence and give new hope to the world. The realization of that fact places emphasis on the reference to Russo-American relations which Mr. Hull made in his speech last month. “It is our desire,” he said, and our settled policy, that collaboration and co-operation between our two countries shall steadily increase during and following the war. An unqualified assurance of that character must have gone a long way to ensure that Mr. Cordell Hull would be warmly welcomed at Moscow, and if, as seems certain, the sessions open in an atmosphere of personal friendship and goodwill then the task of smoothing out the difficulties that exist should be lightened. The meetings between President Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill in Washington, Quebec and North Africa must have appeared to the Russians as something incomplete, but here is a conference of their own Commissar of Foreign Affairs —possibly of Premier Stalin —with ministerial representatives of the other Allied Powers, and in Moscow. The change of venue has apparently stimulated interest, and concentrated hones. And if those hopes are in a measure fulfilled, or better still, if as a result of this meeting a way is opened for their complete fulfilment, then the Moscow conference will be a landmark on the way of Allied progress through years of war to an established peace.