MEETING SOUGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 May 1943, Page 3

MEETING SOUGHT

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT & M. STALIN SPECIAL MISSION FOR FORMER AMBASSADOR. REPORTED BY WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT. , (Bv Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, May 5. Mr. Joseph E. Davies is to return to Moscow as President Roosevelt’s special representative, carrying an invitation to M. Stalin to meet Mr Roosevelt in order to discuss war and post-war problems, says the Washington correspondent of the ‘‘New York Times.” Confirmation of this is not available from the White House, but the correspondent says that the appointment is definite.

Mr. Davies was Ambassador to Russia in 1936-38, and he is the author of the book “Mission to Moscow.” He is regarded as a strong friend and ardent champion of M. Stalin and the Soviet Union, and it is believed that he may succeed where others have failed in arranging a conference between M. Stalin and President Roosevelt. The indications are, says the correspondent, that Mr. Roosevelt desires to discuss primarily war problems. It is not revealed whether Russia’s attitude to Japan and the possible Allied use of Siberia, and also other Pacific problems would be included, but it is certain that the talks would concern the second front in Europe. /

The Soviet Ambassador to Washington. M. Litvinoff, who is returning to Moscow for consultations this week, may be associateci with Mr. Davies’s overtures to M. Stalin.

The correspondent says that the Czech President, Dr. Benes, is to confer with Mr. Roosevelt next week on the future organisation of Central and Eastern Europe and Russia’s relations with her neighbours. Dr.g Benes will also visit Moscow after his mission in Washington, and he may act as “another interpreter between the United States and Russia.” The need for interpretation arises from such incidents as the suspension of relations between Poland and Russia, and the fact that while Russia has indicated disapproval of confederations among her neighbours she has not suggested what groupings of small Powers, if any, she would approve.