The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-29
Britons See UNVeto Issue As Defeated
 Stolin's Statement
 DeoIs Deoth Blow
 To Assembly Fiohf
PAGE FOUR
To Assembly Fiqht

London, Oct. 29-CUP)-Premier Stalins statement to Hugh Baillie, president of the United Press, was regarded here today as the death sentence for Britain's effort to se- cure restricted Russian use of the veto in the United Nations Security Council and Foreign Ministers Coun- cil.
 A Foreign Office spokesman con- ceded that the British hope of suc- cess in the veto move was based en- tirely upon Russia'S voluntary CO., operation. Asked if he though the veto had been used to excess, Stalin replied bluntly, No, do not"
 The Stalin-Baillie cabled interview was the subject of intensive study at the Foreign Office throughout the day, but following lengthy inter- departmental consultations it was decided to issue no official comment.
 Suspicious of Figures
 By inference a spokesman did, however, give hint that Britain views with a measure of suspicion Stalin's seemingly frank revelation that Russian strength in eastern Europe is down to 60 divisions.
 "A division can be anything from 5000 to 35,000 men" / the spokesman said. Hence when someone says 60 divisions I have no idea haW many men are involved"
 He said he could not confirm re- ports that Russian divisions were generally smaller than the 12,000 to 15000-man Anglo American divi- sions.
 Asked what country ever had di- visions containing 35, 1000 men, he re- piled, "the average strength of Bri- tish divisions in France in 1940 was 35 ,000." No Deviation in Policy
 He said Stalin's remarks concern ing future policy for Germany "do not deviate from the policy line talk en by (Foreign Minister V. M) Mol otov."
 Informed Whitehall sources speak ing privately said the British gov- ernment always had regarded Win ston Churchill's 200-division estimate of Russian strength in eastern Eur ope as "an exaggeration." However, it was conceded that no generally known estimate had placed these forces as low as Stalin's 60 di- | visions.
 Diplomatic representatives of Eur opean nations here studied the Stall in announcements closely, and many called the United Press for ad- ditional information.
 Settles Polish Question
 An official Polish spokesman said his government was cheered greatly by Stalin's statement that he consid- cred the present Oder Neisse front fer of Poland as permanent"
 '"This is the most precise state ment yet made on this issue, and it leaves no room for any propogandist interpretation" he said. "Tt cuts all possible further discussion on the frontier problem"
 Informed but unofficial French quarters here said they expected strong French reaction against Stalin's suggestion that Germany industrial level should be raised"
 They described French policy opin- ion as "nited in every quarter against political unification of Ger many for security reasons" and said France views with anxiety Stalin's preparedness to have Germany uni fled economically and politically"
 Wants Buffer Settled First
 They said the French government felt the question of German unifica- ton should await settlement of the future of the Rhineland and Ruhr where France wishes to see buffer states established.
 The Greek governments London spokesman said his government dis. agreed with Stalin's view that tht presence of British troops in Greece was unnecessary" and reiterated the official stand that troops wert ..ere at the request of the Greek 0vernment to guarantee he main enance of order pending the return of the war-torn nation to normalcy
 Also, he said Greece did moi share Stalin's view that the veto has not been used too liberally." He saio Russian use of the veto to prevent dispatch of an international commis- sion to examine alleged incidents or the Greek-Albania border had de- prived the world of an opportunity to learn the truth.
 Cnsus taking at Aliwal North South Africa, revealed that there is 128-year-old Basuto woman of the warlike Bantu tribes, liv- ing in that district.