PERSONAL VIEW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 March 1943, Page 3

PERSONAL VIEW

■ EXPRESSED BY AMERICAN AMBASSADOR ON SOVIET ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AID. INCIDENT CONSIDERED CLOSED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, March 10. “After the receipt of a report from the United States Ambassador to Moscow, Admiral Standley, giving fuller details of his remarks at the Press conference, the United States Government apparently considers the incident closed,” says the Washington correspondent of the “New York Times.” “The inclination in Washington was to regard the first reports as exaggerated. Admiral Standley’s report today indicated that he was simply expressing his personal disappointment at the manner in which the Russian people were informed of the American aid. . Admiral Standley realised that Moscow had publicised the extent of the aid, but he felt it was done in such a manner that the-people .did not know whether it came under lend-lease or as a gift through the Red ■ Cross or the other relief agencies. The correspondent says that in the light of this explanation, as well as the Moscow broadcast on Saturday’s statement by the Lend-Lease Director, Mr Settinius, giving the latest figures of material sent, diplomatic circles have expressed their confidence that good relations will continue between Russia and America. The original report from Moscow of the Ambassador’s statement on Tuesday said that he complained that hitherto the Russian Press had not acknowledged the material help which they were receiving from America not only through lease-lend but also through the Red Cross. The head of the Russian Red Cross, he said, had acknowledged this help, but the acknowledgment had not been published in the Russian Press. “It is not fair to mislead the Americans into giving millions thinking that they are aiding the Russian people and yet the Russian people do not know it . . • >” he declared.