HOPES EXCEEDED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 November 1943, Page 3

HOPES EXCEEDED

MR EDEN ON RESULTS AT MOSCOW MUCH OF VALUE ACHIEVED BEARING ON WAR AND POST-WAR PROBLEMS. STRONG SENSE OF MUTUAL CONFIDENCE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY, November 11. The results attained had exceeded his hopes, said . the Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Eden), in giving the House of Commons an account of the Moscow’ conference. A fortnight’s work, Mr Eden continued, had brought new warmth intoßritain’s dealings with her Soviet and American friends. The frank and exhaustive military discussions did more good to mutual relations than any other phase of the conference. “As we worked,” Mr Eden stated, “a sense of confidence grew. This in turn seemed to give added momentum to our progress. The actual achievements seem solid enough, but it was the friendly atmosphere of mutual interest and mutual confidence which for me will always make the Moscow Conference memorable.”

Mr Eden said the first difficulty he and Mr Cordell Hull (United States Secretary of State) encountered was to persuade M. Molotov to preside. He wished them to undertake the task in turn, but M. Molotov, when he finally accepted the responsibility, made a chairman of outstanding skill and judgment in handling a long and complicated agenda. Mr Eden also paid tribute to Mr Hull’s very gallant venture in making the long flight, and to the co-operation received from the British Ambassador (Sir A. ClarkKerr) and the Foreign Office leader, Mr W. Strang. All were conscious of how much the future fate of millions depended on the outcome of their labours. They met round the table on a basis of complete equality, and were able to state problems and discuss views conscious that they were striving with one purpose only —to try to bring the war to a victorious end at the earliest possible moment, and to co-operate fully thereafter. SHORTENING OF WAR Referring to measures for shortening the -war, Mr Eden said he could not go beyond the very carefully chosen words of the communique. The result of the discussions could only be made public as they developed at the expense of the common enemy. “I have confidence,” he added, “that the development will be found generally satisfactory by members in all parts of the House.” With regard to the military discussions, Mi’ Eden said there was no tendency on the part of any of the delegates to dodge any of the difficult and important issues raised. He was deeply indebted to General Sir H. Ismay for his invaluable part in this work. Nothing could give better proof of Mr Hull’s vision and statesmanship than the declaration of general security of which he was the parent. The importance of the declaration was in the decision that the four government should continue their .collaboration after the war, but the declaration was not good enough by itself. It was absolutely essential that there should be, between the Allies, special machinery, beyond the ordinary diplomatic interchange, through which they could work continuously together and concert rapidly and efficiently their views on the many political problems arising from the war. VITAL FIRST STEP It was perhaps the greatest achievement of the conference to take the first steps towards establishing this machinery. The European Commission would be set up at once. It was advisory machinery for the convenience of the three governments, not an instrument for imposing their views on others. The truth must be faced that on these three Powers principally would I'ie the responsibility for ensuring that the war was followed by a lasting peace. If they could agree, there was no point not capable finally of solution. If they did not agree, there was no international event which could not become an international problem. Viscount Cranborne, in the House of Lords, made a statement similar to Mr Eden’s and spoke of the great disappointment its terms must have brought to the German people.