HIGHLY SATISFIED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1942, Page 3

HIGHLY SATISFIED

BRITISH PREMIER’S PARTING MESSAGE BROADCAST FROM MOSCOW. EXPRESSION OF JOINT DETERMINATION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) RUGBY, August 17. Communiques issued in London and Moscow state: “Negotiations have taken place in Moscow between M. Stalin and Mr Churchill, in which Mr Harriman represented President Roosevelt. M. Molotov and Marshal Voroshilpv also took part in the talks and on the British side Sir A. Clark Kerr (British Ambassador), Sir Alan Brooke (Chief of the British General Staff) and other responsible representatives of the British Armed Forces, and Sir Alexander Cadogan (Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs). A number of decisions were reached covering the field of the war against Hitlerite Germany and her associates in Europe. This just war of liberation both Governments are determined to carry on with all their power and energy until the complete destruction of Hitlerism or any similar tyranny has been achieved. The discussions were carried on in an atmosphere of cordiality and complete sincerity and provided an opportunity of reaffirming the existence of close friendship and understanding between the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, in complete accordance with the Allied relationship existing between them.”

The Moscow radio broadcast a message sent by Mr Churchill, before his return, to M. Stalin, in which Mr Churchill said: “I take this opportunity to thank you for your friendly attitude and hospitality. I am highly satisfied that I have visited Moscow, first for 'my desire to speak my mind and second because II am sure our contacts will be useful for our common cause." When he arrived in Moscow, Mr Churchill recorded this statement: “We are fully determined, whatever sufferings and difficulties die ahead of us, to continue the struggle hand in hand with our comrades and brothers until the last remnants of the Hitler regime have turned to dust and remain in our memories as a warning and example for the future.” Mr Harriman said: “The President of the United States entrusted me with the duty of accompanying the British Prime Minister on his important journey to Moscow. During this decisive moment of the war, the President will agree to all decisions taken by Mr Churchill anol Americans will stand hand in hand together with the Russia ns." It is stated in London that General Sir Archibald Wavell was one of the British delegation. Messages from

Moscow say other members were Air Chief Marshal Sir Archibald Tedder, Air Officer Commanding in the Middle East; Major-General Maxwell, Com-mander-in-Chief of the American forces in Egypt, and Brigadier S. P. Spaulding. Mr Churchill was accompanied by his personal physician, Sir Charles Wilson.

Messages describe how three bombers' arrived in Moscow last Wednesday afternoon. The party ’sgjs met by M. Molotov and massed bands played the British and American National Anthems and the Internationale. Mr Churchill inspected a guard of honour in battle dress and steel helmets. His first meeting with M. Stalin lasted for nearly four hours, and in the next three days a number of other meetings were held. After the essential business was over. M. Stalin entertained the British and American missions at a banquet m the Kremlin. Many informal toasts were proposed, some by, M. Stalin and the atmosphere was described as “very matey.” m ~ , It is revealed in Cape Town that on his way to Moscow, Mr Churchill visited Cairo and conferred with General Smuts. . ~. . . The Dominion Prime Ministers were informed of the developments. . _ A news reel of the meetings is to be released in Moscow tomorrow and will then be shown in other big Russian cities.