Evening star., 1944-11-01
BerIe Expected 10 Ask
Early Agreement on
World Air Routes
BY w. H. sHIPPEN, Jr.,

| CHICAGO, Nov. Almost TOO
delegates and assistants were ar
irving here today for the Interna-
tional civil Aviation Conference with
Assistant Secretary Of State Adolf
A. Berle, jr., in his opening address,
expected to plead for an early agree
ment on world routes which can be
operated during the transition from
war to peace.
Open agreements and open skies"
within the general terms of Secre-
tary of State Hu.l's reciprocal trade
policy are the primary aims of the
United States delegation which Mr..
Berle heads United Kingdom
representatives, led by Lord SWIM
ton, Minister of Civil Aviation, are
understood to favor a more restric-
tive plan, calling for q world avia-
ton authority with sweeping powers.
Russia Welcome to Participate.
Russia's sudden decision against
participation, 1t was said, only en-
phasizes the need for agreement
between the two great trading ma
tions on the North Atlantic. 1t
was pointed out however, that the
Soviet Union will be welcomed into
agreements which may be made at
Chicago, or to open its own negotia-
tions with participating countries
at any time.
There was considerable disap-
pointment here that the Soviet mis-
sion had been recalled by Moscow
Air commerce between this con-
tinent and Russia appears promising
from the West as we'll as the East.
Routes from the Middle West and
Northwest lead through Alaska
across the great land bridge to
Asia" and thousands Of American
made military planes are now fly
ing this route to the Eastern Euro
pean front. AS to the eastern route,
several United States carriers are
seeking permission to fly to Moscow
by way of Newfoundland and
Scandinavia.
Practical Program Is Sought.
The hope that Russia's move
would not seriously effect decisions
made here was expressed yesterday
by Clarence D. Howe, Canada's min
lister of reconstruction and head of
the Canadian delegation.
Despite this development, he said.
1--WE expect the conference to come
up with practical working program
for postwar flying. We anticipate
full accord among the nations in the
coming great air developments"
Other delegates accompanying
Mr.. Howe were H. j. Symington,
president of Trans Canada Air
Lines, and R. A. c. Henry, chair
man Of the Air Transport Board.
Delegates in Lord Swinton's
group were Sir Arthur Street,
Undersecretary of State, Air Min
istry: Sir George London, commits
sioner for public utilities, New
foundland; j. H. Mcgowan, COM
mercial counsellor, British Embassy;
w. c. G.. Cribbett, Assistant Under
secretary of State, Air Ministry; c..
c. Fitzmaurice, Foreign ONCE, and
A. j. Walsh, commissioner for home
affairs and education, Newfound-
! land.
I Australian, New Zealand Plan.
Representatives from Australia
and New Zealand came to Chicago
prepared to propose that all world
trunk air lines be operated by in
ternational companies made up of
nations with an interest in the lines.
1t was believed, however, that they
would not insist on international
combines If strong opposition is en-
countered. This country is known
to be holding out for much broader
/ agreements.
More than so countries repre-
sented at this conference range
from Afghanistan to Yugoslavia.
Delegates began arriving Monday,
with their military and civilian
staffs.
Headquarters for the conference
Is the Stevens Hotel, and the hotel
staff has extended itself to accom-
modate the conference visitors ar