TALKS IN QUEBEC

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 August 1943, Page 3

TALKS IN QUEBEC

SOVIET NOT INVITED STATEMENT BY MOSCOW RADIO. CONJECTURE IN WASHINGTON & LONDON. (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) LONDON, August 13. The Moscow radio today announced that the Soviet Union had not been invited to the Quebec conference. An official statement, according to the Moscow correspondent of the British United Press, said: "Rumours about Soviet representatives participating in the Quebec conference are based on a misunderstanding. The Soviet Government did not receive an invitation and Soviet participation was not and is not contemplated.” The Washington correspondent of the "New York times” says that Moscow radio’s announcement came as a surprise in view of the impression created by President Roosevelt at his Press conference last Monday that the Russians had declined an invitation. "The announcement lends credence to a theory which is held by some international observers that a serious rift exists between the Russians and the British and Americans on the question of war aims,” the correspondent says. Mr Vernon Bartlett. M.P.. writing in the "News Chronicle," points out the necessity for closer political understanding between Russia, Britain and America. "The sudden appearance of Amgot (Allied millitary government in occupied territory) in Sicily, and the National Committee of Free Germany in Moscow,” he says, "makes closer political co-operation- absolutely imperative. “For there is an .apparent gap, at least as obvious to the anxious Germans as to ourselves} between the Soviet and the British and American approaches to the European problem.’’ Fie adds: “The British and the Americans are insistent upon unconditional surrender, but the Soviet policy of sponsoring promises of social, political and religious freedom must give hope to a great many despairing and bewildered Germans.”

ANOTHER FRONT? INTENSE MILITARY ACTIVITY. IN BRITAIN & ON CONTINENT. LONDON, August 13. Troop movements in Britain, coupled with reports of intense military activity on the Continent, are causing speculation throughout England, says the “Daily Mail.” Roads leading to various areas in Britain recently have been jammed with military traffic, while railway traffic has reached an exceptionally high level, and several railway lines have been barred to civilians. Many high-ranking officers who have been on active service abroad have now returned to Britain. Thousands of United States and Dominion troops are reported to have moved into various areas, where they have taken over new barracks, while additional accommodation is still being built. Continental speculation centres on the idea that there will be a second front possibly on the French Atlantic coast "before the leaves of autumn fall."

NOT PRACTICABLE ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCE BY STALIN. POSITION RATHER OBSCURE. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.55 a.m.) LONDON, August 13. The Moscow radio's statement that the Russians did not receive an invitation to the Quebec conference is regarded in London as a timelv effort to clear up a misunderstanding. says the Press Association’s diplomatic correspondent. Moscow knew the conference was being held, and had M. Stalin indicated a desire to attend, or to be represented, he would have been cordially welcomed by Messrs Churchill and Roosevelt. M. Stalin, however, as Commander-in-Chief of the Red Army, is fully occupied in directing military operations. His absence from Russia would have presented many difficulties. The Evening News" says the present ambiguity about the Quebec conference cannot be left as it is. One version of the Moscow announcement says that the representation of the Soviet Government was neither suggested nor fitting. The ‘Evening News” adds whatever interpretation mav be nut on the announcement, it is obvious that th© position is both obscure and unsatisfactory —the sort of position that delights mischiefmakers. Johannes Steel, writing in the ‘New York Post,” says it would be extremely foolish to deny the relations between the Englishspeaking Allies and Russia are in a critical state.