Evening star., 1947-11-28
Soviet Again Demands
That Big 4 Lay Basis
For Japanese Treaty
BY the Assoeioted Press

BY the Asseeiatsd Press
MOSCOW, Nov. 28.-The Soviet
Union stood firm today on its Oft
repeated position that ground
work for the Japanese peace
treaty must be laid by the Coun-
Gil Of Foreign Ministers, where
the veto may be exercised.
The Russian Foreign Ministry,
Tass reported, rejected a Chinese
suggestion that the treaty be con-
sidered by the Far Eastern Com
mission, with q unanimous vote
OF the Big Four-in this case, Bri-
tain, China, Russia and the United
States-required for any decision.
The Russians expressed agree
ment with the Chinese concept of
unanimity of the Big Four (the right
to exercise the veto), but said the
Japanese peace settlement should
be undertaken first by the Foreign
Ministers of Britain, China, Russia
and the United States.
U. S., Britain Get Copies.
Copies Of the Soviet note, by
Foreign Minister Molotov, were sent
to the United States and Britain.
Thus, presumably, the United States
will be required once more to state
its position on the japanese treaty.
Up to now United States has been
against any use Of the veto In a
Japanese peace conference.
Mr.. Molotov's note was In re-
sponse to one from Chinese Foreign
Minister DR.. Wang Shih-chieh, de-
livered here November II.
In his reply, Mr.. Molotov de-
clared:
For the sake of the earliest
restoration of peace in the Far East
and affording to Japan and her
people corresponding conditions OF
peaceful development, the Soviet
government proposes to convene in
January. 1913, special session OF
the Council of Foreign Ministers,
comprising representatives of China,
the U. S. A., the U. S. S. R. and
Great Britain, to discuss the ques-
ton Of the preparation OF the peace
settlement for Japan.
"It is proposed to convene such
a session Of the Council of Foreign
Ministers in China, provided the
Chinese government deems this
desirable"
U. s. Invitation Rejected.
Russia has been insistent that
the Foreign Ministers Council do
the groundwork on the Japanese
peace treaty. On July % Russia re-
jected an American invitation to
participate in an 11-nation prelim-
mary conference in Washington in
August. In that note, the United
States was accused of taking uni
lateral action" in proposing the IL
nation conference without previous
four-power consultation.
The Russians reiterated this view
In another note on the subject dated
August %.
The United States, in suggesting
the preliminary 11-nation confer
ence, challenged Russia and the
other big powers to give up their
veto powers in working out the jap
anese treaty. Both China and Rus
sia rejected the idea.
The II nations involved, in addi-
ton to the Big Four, are Australia,
Canada, France, India, the Neither
lands, the Philippines, New Zealand.
Soviet Propose Ion Japan
Faces Chill Reception
Russia's proposal that the Big
Four foreign ministers meet in jan
uary to discuss a peace treaty with
Japan faces a chilly reception in
the United States.
Diplomatic authorities viewed 1t
ut the outset as revival OF the Rus
sian contention that the major pow
ers should dictate the Pacific set
tlement as well as a peace treaty
with Germany.
The United States rejected this
idea in September after Russia re-
fused to take part in an American
sponsored move to turn over ar
rangements for a Pacific peace con-
ference to representatives Of the IL
nations which took an active part
in the war with Japan. The pre-
liminary talks have begged down
for weeks because of Russia's atti-
tude and objections raised by China.
The Nanking government pro-
posed this month that all IL nations
make decisions in drafting the treaty
by majority vote, with a provision
that the big powers retain full veto
rights they have in the United
Nations Security Council and the
Council of Foreign Ministers now
meeting in London.
Other Pacific Allies have accepted
the United States proposal that de-
tisions be taken by two-thirds' vote.