Evening star., 1945-08-24
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
SYDNEY, Aug. 24.-Britain is
denying Australia "a footing OF
equality" in peace discussions,
Herbert ". Evatt, minister OF
internal affairs, charged in a
prepared statement today. "This
will have to be arrested not only
in the interests of Australia but
of the British commonwealth as
a whole" he declared.
There still is a deplorable tend
ency now that the fighting is over
to relegate Australia to a subordi-
nate status and either not consult
it at all or to consult it in a per-
functory way and not on footing
of equality" he said.
Observers here regarded his state
ment as one of the most important
ever issued in British Common
wealth relations.
Differences Over Blamey.
Describing behind the scene.
moves for greater recognition for
Australia, Mr.. Evatt in his state
ment said the United Kingdom and
Australia had differed over whether
Australian Gen. Sir Thomas Blamey
would attend the surrender cere-
mony attached to the United King
dom service representative, or repre-
sent Australia directly.
Dominions Secretary Addison de-
MED that Britain had opposed Aus
tralia's wishes.
Mr.. Evatt said the Dominions Of
fee announced August II that the
United States Department of State
had rejected Australia's claim and
that Blamey could only accompany
the United Kingdom representative
at the surrender"
Talked With Macarthur.
Thereupon, he said, "the Aus
tralian government took up the
matter direct with Gen. Macarthur
and with the United States Acting
Minister at Canberra. The result
was that the United States acceded
to AuStralia's claim to be repre-
sented directly, in recognition of
the outstanding part Australia
played in the war against Japan"
Mr.. Evatt also protested Britain's
agreement to the Potsdam declara-
tion without, he said, consulting
Australia. I'VE first heard of the
matter from worldwide public
broadcast. Care was taken to con-
suit China and apparently the
Soviet also"
On the matter of treatment and
immunities of Japan's Emperor, too,
the facts show that little consid-
Grafton could have been given to
our very strong submissions" he
added.
Again, there is the matter of
the Council of Foreign Ministers, "
Mr.. Evatt continued. From that
council, Australia, principal bel
ligerent against Japan, is excluded
even in relation to the Japanese
settlement, while China is included
without having been a belligerent
in Europe. In our view this is
unsatisfactory and we know that
our opinion is shared by New
Zealand.
Assurances Recalled.
"Once again we are in danger of
being presented with dried
decisions in which we will have had
no real participation and no effec-
tive voice. 1hH7 -.
only a few months ago, the
United Kingdom government gave
Australia most solemn assurance of
support for our claims to be re-
garded as a party principal, not only
in armistice arrangements in rela-
tton to Japan, but in relation to
peace settlements both in Europe
and the Pacific.
After this assurance, the Pots
dam Declaration was issued.
Clearly the whole situation
should e reviewed at once In the
peace S ttlement. to which she is
entitled ~ reason of her outstand-
ing contribut.v..- -. v,rrt11rov
of our deadly enemies" Mr.. Evatt
concluded.