Evening star., 1945-04-27
Lincoln
Continued From First Page.

/ OA1l llSG dSc.t
ence was attended by a bit of fire.
works.
When MI Molotov said that, since
four nations had signed the confer
ence invitations. those four should
preside Jointly, the matter was i'm
mediately taken up by Foreign Min
lister Padilla of Mexico. He re-
marked that it would be we'll if the
conference followed the usual prac-
tices of international law and dip
lomatic courtesy.
Mr., Molotov's reply was that he
hoped no one was trying to give him
lessons in international law and
that the conference was not a tea
party. All of which led to extended
debate.
The American delegation, meeting
last night, discussed the issue over
| the charmanship at considerable
length. No statement was made af-
ter the meeting. but it is understood
| that the delegation will back Mr.
Stettinius in whatever course he
takes
The Russian attitude is that no
reflection either on the dignity of
the United States or on Mr.. Stet-
tinius is involved in Mr.. Molotov's S
belief that, with four nations spon-
soring the conference, the situation
was not the same as though the in
vitations had been issued by the
United States alone,
Presumably the Steering Com
mittee would vote down the Rus
sian proposal if direct issue is
made. No one believes that Russia,
in that event. would pack up and
leave the conference. 1t might,
however, withdraw as sponsoring
nation, creating a rift when unity
is greatly desired.
The issue f1ared up during day
that otherwise was filled with en-
couraging signs.
Mr.. Molotov, in an address to a
plenary session of the conference
yesterday afternoon. pledged his
government to whole-hearted sup
port of the effort to erect an inter-
national organization for the main
tenance of peace in the future
At a press conference immedi-
ately before he delivered this ad-
dress. the Russian Foreign Com
missar not only asserted his belief
in the success of the conference,
but also oppressed hope that the
Polish issue would be settled salts
factorily and in time for Poland to
be represented at the conference
meetings.
Three Others Pledge Support.
Speaking at the same plenary ses-
sion Mr.. Stettinius, Foreign Min
lister T. v. Soong of China and Brit
ish Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden
all gave their earnest support to
the work and purposes of the con-
ference
Mr.. Eden was emphatic in urging
the conference delegations to speed
their work to a successful conclu-
sion.
World events of unprecedented
magnitude. both in the East and
in the West crowd upon us every
hour" he told the conference. If
we order our labors efficiently and
work to the utmost of our strength
it should surely be possible for us
to agree to our charter within four
weeks from now. We cannot afford
to delay. I hope we shall set our
selves such a target date and de-
termine to reach it. This confer
ence bears heavy responsibilities.
In his first interview with the
press Mr.. Molotov acquitted him.
self well-he spoke through an in
terpreter. His answers to questions
asked by the. correspondents we're
given, however, without hesitation
and he avoided only one or two. =
He received the newsmen in the
gold decorated Colonial room of
the St. Francis Hotel. Back of the
foreign commissar and his fellow
Soviet Union delegates was fres--
coed wall depicting lords and ladies
in sumptuous garden setting.
ASKED for Minimum"
He was asked why his govern
ment had asked for only three votes
in the general assembly when there
are is Soviet republics.
I'VE ask for a minimum" was
Mr.. Molotov's reply. He continued:
I'VE have is republics, OF which
only the Ukraine and White Rus
sia play a direct, important part
in this war. And no one can deny