Evening star., 1947-03-17
Ry the Associated Press

MOSCOW, Mar. 17.-Britain
was reported today to have re-
jected Russian Foreign Minister
Molotov's proposal for a special
conference on China and to have
stressed in addition that Britain
viewed this as primarily matter
between the United States and
Russia.
An informed source said that Brit
ish Foreign Secretary Bevin had
drafted a letter to 60 to Mr.. Mol
otov this afternoon in which he, like
Secretary of State Marshall, turned
down the proposed discussion or
China.
Some diplomatic sources looked
upon this reported stand as one
more evidence of a British trend
toward a. secondary role in great
power issues, in which Britain
could more or less gracefully seek
TO avoid responsibility out OF line
With her real power.
Wider Participation Urged.
In meeting of deputy foreign
ministers the United States
launched a plea for wider participa-
ton by smaller nations in draft
ing the peace for Germany. Am
bassador Robert Murphy urged a
formula that would admit rs coun-
tries, instead of the four powers
and Is smaller countries heretofore
invited to present their views to the
deputies at London. Mr.. Murphy's
list addeo Mexico, Bolivia, Iran and
the Philippines.
Mr.. Murphy was opposed by
Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister
Vishinsky, who said he wanted each
nation approved separately rather
than admitted by general formula.
He said he did not object to Iran.
In objecting to French proposal
on The same subject, Mr.. Vishinsky
attacked any participation by Tur-
key and quoted what he said were
the words of United States poll
tician that Turkey grew fat on the
war"
Mr.. Vishinsky objected to Brit
ish proposal to set up four commit
tees consisting of representatives of
the Big Four and each of the is
smaller states represented at Lon
don to handle various treaty
drafting chores Mr.. Vishinsky said
the British plan was large, deep
sea with no shores" and would turn
the drafting committees into de-
batting societies which would never
accomplish anything.
Work to Be Speeded Up.
The second week of meetings here
to- prepare peace treaties with
Germany and Austria-promised to
speed up the work considerably.
These events were in prospect:
First: The conference was sched-
uled to buckle down today to the
real issues-economic unity and
reparations-which have divided the
Western powers and the Soviet
Union in Germany almost since the
wars end. Observers termed pros
poets for agreement none too bright,
and said a deadlock might show up
promptly.
Second This is about the time
in such Moscow conferences that
Prime Minister Stain usually in
vites each visiting foreign min
lister to call for a talk. While Gen.
Marshall never tips off his moves
ahead of time, he was believed fully
prepared to discuss new United
States actions in regard to Greece
and Turkey and stress that the
United States viewed the situation
with concern.
Third: The Foreign Ministers
deputies discussing Austria were
confronted with the necessity of
breaking a deadlock over Albania
If any machinery was to be set up
for informing smaller nations CT the
conferences work on Germany in
time to do them any good. Russia
holds that Albania must be in
cluded in any committee of small
nation ENJOYS organized here. Brit
ain and the United States so far
have turned down this proposal.
1t. Gen. Lucius D. Clay, who
Saturday became commander of
United States forces in Europe and
United States military governor for
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