Evening star., 1946-11-13

NHPSu III Wy iVu
Fight Over Trieste
BY the Associated Press
NEW YORK, Nov. l3.-Several
cracks showed up today in the
long disagreement between Rus
sia and the western powers over
disposition Of strategic Trieste,
but diplomats were uncertain
whether they foretold a real
break in the italian peace treaty
deadlock.
They became apparent despite a
warning by Secretary of State
Byrnes that the United States could
not continue making compromises
on the Trieste issue-and an asser-
ton by Foreign Minister Molotov
that Russia insisted on changes In
some Paris Peace Conference pro-
visions for governing the Trieste
territory.
Mr.. Molotov also raised one new
dispute by asking o treaty provi-
sion fixing q deadline of possibly
three or four months, after the
treaty becomes effective, for re-
moval Of foreign troops from Trieste.
The troops there are American and
British.
Argue Repeatedly.
Mr.. Byrnes and Mr.. Molotov ar
gued repeatedly during the three
and one-half hour session of the
Big -Four. Foreign Ministers, Council
last night, then called q bali until
4 pm. today after they agreed: along
with British Foreign Minister Bevin
and Deputy French Foreign Minis
ter Couve de Murville. to return to
their showdown debate.
Diplomats who sat In on the ses-s
Ision reported 1t was by A1 means
all negative and had several results
which might lead to a break in the.
main deadlock blocking completion
Of the italian peace treaty.
Whether the Foreign Ministers
would be able to accomplish this,
however, depended on future devel-
opments about which responsible
authorities were unwilling to make
predictions. These were the cracks.
apparent as result Of last nights
meeting:
/. The Council left the door open
for direct negotiations between italy
and Yugoslavia to settle the fate Of
Trieste by agreement If they can.
Any mutually acceptable agreement
which they can reach seemed as
s,red Of favorable Council consid-
Grafton.
2. Mr.. Molotov backed down, at
least temporarily, on demand the
Big -Four send back to their deputies
for rewriting draft statute for the
government of Trieste as free In
ternational territory. He agreed in
stead to q proposal by Mr.. Byrnes
that the Foreign Ministers them
selves should 60 over the statute,
beginning today.
Certain Provisions Opposed.
8. The Soviet Foreign Minister re-
iterated that he objected only to
certain provisions of the statute,
which the Paris Peace Conference
approved by two-thirds vote, and
that other provisions were accept
able to him. This enabled the Big
-Four to get down to specific cases
and try to work out formulae OF
settlement which all could accept.
4. Despite the history of bitter
dispute which has marked much of
the Trieste discussion in recent
months, persons present said last
nights discussion was notable for
calm talk and generally friendly
atmosphere.
The Council finally took official
notice of the possibility Of direct
negotiations on Trieste after the
four ministers had received formal
notice from italy Of that country's
'keen interest" in trying to work
things out with Yugoslavia.
The Big Four took no action on
the italian statement, but individu-
ally members expressed hope that
negotiations might lead to agree
ment and Mr.. Byrnes said he was
sure any joint proposal from the
two countries would receive careful
consideration.
Fear Yugoslav Coup.
Meanwhile, he said. the United
States stands absolutely arm on its
support of the Big Four and Paris
Conference decisions on the bound
aries Of Trieste and also In support
Of proposals for powerful u. N.
Security Council governor over the
zone.
Western diplomats said later the
western powers are insisting on d
governor with extraordinary powers
because they frankly fear that In the
future Yugoslavia may try by in
ternal political maneuvers to take
over the zone.
Russia, while agreeing the Secur-
ity Council should appoint the gov
ernor, objects to SO wide grant Of
powers on the ground the system
would be undemocratic. The dispute
over the powers Of the governor thus
is regarded as the heart OF the
deadlock on how to govern an in
lternationalized Trieste.
Instructions Opposed.
MIR. Molotov had asked to send
the whole thing back to the depu-
tiles with instructions, first. 70 de-