THREE-POWER TALKS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1943, Page 3

THREE-POWER TALKS

) LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE IN MOSCOW , J 1 SURVEY OF PROBLEMS SOME THAT MAY PRESENT GREAT DIFFICULTY CONSIDERATION OF BASIS FOR LASTING SECURITY (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) RUGBY, October 5. There seems to be little doubt now that the ThreePower Foreign Ministers’ conference will be held in i Moscow in the latter part of October. It is sincerely hoped that Air Cordell Hull (American Secretary of State) will find it possible to undertake the journey to the Soviet capital, notwithstanding bis age . and somewhat frail physique. The advantages of holding the conference in Moscow rather than in London or elsewhere are certainly substantial. “Held anywhere but in Moscow,” the “Yorkshire Post” observes, “the conference would almost certainly be subject to crippling delays. The Russian delegates would find it necessary to refer almost every issue to Marshal Stalin, who, in the midst of his pressing military preoccupation, likes to keep the threads of Russian policy very closely in his own hands.” In these circumstances, a decision by Mr Hull to disregard medical advice in order to go to Moscow personally :s regarded as significant of tne American attitude to Europe at what is evidently a critical juncture. The hope is expressed that Mr Hull will be able to confer in London on his way through, or at least on his return from Russia. On the agenda for the conference much preparatory work has been done, beginning with M. Maisky's visit to London before finally quitting his post. Mr Churchill said the whole ground would be surveyed. This is taken as implying an investigation of Allied policy in every friendly country awaiting liberation and in every enemy country to be occupied. It also will presumably involve consideration of a oasis for lasting security. I’n the first place, what one commentator calls "political minefields” need to be cleared from the paths of Soviet advance. Perhaps the most thorny of these is referred to by the "Yorkshire Post.” "In Polish territory,” it says, "active warfare has been going on for some lime between two sets of partisans, one working under the Soviet and the other under the orders of the Polish military authority in exile. If this unhappy conflict continues, the condition of suspended diplomatic relationships which already exists between the Russian and Polish governments is all too likely to move from bad to worse.” There are, of course, the makings of a similar dangerous and tragic situation in Yugoslavia, with which the Allied Middle East Command is ever more closely concerned. At least of equal importance is the co-ordination of United Nations policy towards defeated Italy and towards the undefeated German nation which they hope before long to reduce to complete surrender. One well-informed observer points out that the coming conference between the three Great Powers on whom will rest the principal responsibility for making and maintaining peace will be more important than any held since the last war, and goes on to underline the danger, well understood above all in Britain, of the possibility of a division of Europe into zones of influence between Great Powers. An illustration of the problems involved was given when the Czechoslovak Government in London, a few days ago, reiterated its desire to conclude an alliance with the Soviet as a buttress of European security against Germany. Discussions of this subject have been proceeding between the British, Soviet and Czechoslovak governments, as the British Government is anxious to avoid the development of anything like an unregulated competition in alliances among the smaller Powers. It is strongly held that only with a full understanding among the greater Powers' can dependent problems be expected to fit into place without confusion.