The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-08-03
Byrnes Says Rules Only Suggestions
US. Delegate,
 However, Supports Counci! on Head


 little nations lost their fight today against a Big 1" pro- posal for the chairmanship of the peace conference to rotate among the big five - the United States, Russia, Brit ain. France and China.
 The procedure commission of the peace conference voted down 12 to s with Ethiopia abstaining a Dutch plan which would have thrown open the chairmanship to any of the Fl nations assembled here to prepare peace treaty drafts for Italy and four Axis satellites.
 The vote came after bitter de- bate in which Secretary of State James F. Byrnes reiterated that the it's mind about Big 4 recommen- dations but said that on the issue of the chairmanship he was sup- porting the Big 4 plan.
 Molotov Attacks Byrnes
 Soviet Foreign Minister V. M. Molotov. also supporting the Big 4 plan, sharply attacked Byrnes' thesis and criticized the little pow CTS for attempting to oyerturn the; Big 4" decisions.
 With the two-dav wrangle over the chairmanship finally cut of the way the procedure commission headed into a debate on the two- thirds rule but adjourned before reaching a decision.
 Takes Sharp Issue Byrnes took sharp issue with Molotov when the Soviet foreign minister warned small nations not to challenge Big 4" decisions. He was referring particularly to the conference ehairmanship.
 A Dutch proposal for the confer ence to elect as its chairman any of the 2l delegation leaders pre- clpitated the clash. It was the most heated debate thus far.
 Molotov said world opinion would be alarmed and confused if the small nations tried to overthrow Big 4" decisions. It already is up set, he said, by the long debate on the chairmanship. His reference to world opinion drew a smile from 1 Byrnes.
 The Soviet minister accused The Netherlands, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand of trying to give the impression Of a rift between na- tlons, as well as among the Coun- Gil of Foreign Ministers. Feels Rift Sought
 Despite the agreement in the Council of Foreign Ministers on this rule Molotov said, attempts are being made to find rift and widen It. There is desire to break an agreement of the council.
 By what desire is The Nether- lands delegation motivated in try ing to overthrow the Big 4" de- clslon? To those interest is it to nullify this Big 4 decision? World opinion will not understand.
 Molotov accused the British dele gation of a lack of logic in showing signs of listening to proposed rules amendments.
 Almost shouting in anger, Dr. Herbert Evatt of Australia retorted that Molotov was trying to make the conference "a rubber stamp" He urged the little nations to stand their ground.
 Principle in Dispute
 Evatt pointed finger at Molotov and snapped, 'this issue Of the chairmanship is not nearly as inn portant as statements made here about it, What is in dispute is g question of principle
 He denounced Molotov for ques- tioning the small powers motives.
 We cannot advance a step if statements of that sort are going to be made every time someone suggests way that differs with the Big 4, Evatt said. His eyes flash ed as he spoke excitedly.
 MT. Molotov even accuses the little powers of trying to find a fight among the Big 4. That is not true. We are merely trying to maintain the dignity and autonomy of this conference"
 He recalled that Molotov had ac- cused the small powers of playing on votes.
 Improvements Sought
 Well, there is lot of it going on here, apparently" Evatt said. If not, why not take a free vote of the conference on the chairman ship? After all, the only purpose of this conference is to get sugges- tions of little powers on devisions made by the Big A.
 Let me assure MT. Molotov that our only objective is to try to get improvements on the treaty drafts" ]" Byrnes, referring to the Big 4 minutes. said, "these minutes show that on no less than seven different occasions during the Council meet ing I made perfectly clear to MT. Molotov and the other ministers that the rules we were proposing were only suggestions.
 T want to make clear now the position of the United States on this matter. I personally want to stand by the suggested rules of the