Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1943. AN UNDERSTANDING NEEDED.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 September 1943, Page 2

Wairarapa Times-Age FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1943. AN UNDERSTANDING NEEDED.

yyilEN President Roosevelt was asked at liis Press conference a few days ago whether any progress had been made with plans for a meeting between himself, Mr Churchill and M. Stalin, he is stated to have replied in the affirmative. Apparently he did not elaborate his reply in any way and no doubt he could not have been expected to do so. The - need for a meeting between the three Allied leaders is, however, well marked and established and it must be hoped that plans to bring it about are in fact at an advanced stage.

War developments before long may remove any semblance of justification for complaints by Russia in regard to a second front”—indeed it might well' be claimed that this stage has already been reached and passed—and some reports which have gained currency in the United States and elsewhere of a serious cleavage between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies on vital aspects of war and post-war policy probably are exaggerated. That some differences of opinion exist, however, appears to be established. It is most important that these differences should be resolved satisfactorily, not only from the point of view of immediate co-operation, but because a good understanding with Russia; as well as with China and other nations, evidently is essential if there is to be any hope of establishing peace and security on firm foundations when totalitarian gangsterdom has been overthrown.

A division of opinion it has been stated, obviously exists between Russia and the Western Allies with regard to the determination of post-war frontiers, particularly with reference to Poland and the Baltic States. Russo-Polish relations in themselves call for early and very serious consideration. One somewhat disquieting development a month or two ago was the formation in Russia of a Free German Committee, set up by anti-Nazi elements among German prisoners in Russia. This organisation, it was observed at the time, could not have been constituted without official sanction in the Soviet Union and that sanction did not follow upon any consultation between Russia and the Western Allies.

In the House of Commons towards the end of July, the British Foreign Secretary (Mr Eden) stated that the British Government had not been informed beforehand of the Soviet intention, and did not propose to recognise any similar German committee, in the United Kingclom. Nothing less is suggested here than that the Soviet Government; has in g measure com-, mitted itself, individually and without reference to its Allies, in regard to the supremely important question of the post-war treatment of Germany.

The remedy for what is dangerous in this state of affairs no doubt is to be found in early consultation which would open the way to effective international organisation, providing for positive action against future attempts at aggression and for the safeguarding of peace when it has been re-established. Nothing would be gained by attempting to gloss over the fact that there are very great difficulties to be overcome. It may be hoped, however, that in the extent to which agreement is reached on major aspects of post-war settlement —notably the nature ahid measure of control to be established over the Axis nations — secondary but important questions such as those relating to the territorial and other rights of smaller nations will more easily be brought to a satisfactory settlement.