Evening star., 1950-01-08
Commonwealth Talks
On Red Curbs Open
Tomorrow in CeyIon
BY the Assoeiated Press

COLOMBO. Ceylon, Jan. IA
conference Of eight British Com
monwealth nations assemblies
here Monday to reach a common
understanding on how to combat
Communism in Southeast Asia.
The meeting comes on the heels
OF Britain's tender of recognition
to the Chinese Communists. In
dia, Pakistan and Ceylon, three
other members of the Common
wealth. have taken like action.
Australia and New Zealand are
likely to make their decisions
concerning recognition of the
Peiping regime after this confer
ence.
Prime Minister D, S. Senana-
yake OF Ceylon. newest dominion
in the Commonwealth, told
news conference today that there
were differing views concerning
Agenda, but that it will be very
much concerned with the subject
of Communism"
Will Meet Bevin on Cruiser.
He said the agenda will be
threshed out at the first meeting
Monday.
He will go aboard the British
cruiser Kenya to meet British
Foreign Secretary Bevin when he
arrives tomorrow morning. He
also was welcoming the Canadian
delegation at the airport today.
Britain, Australia, New Zealand !
Pakistan, India. Ceylon. Canada
and South Africa all will be rep
resented here.
Mr.. Senanayake said the pur-
pose will be to teach an under
standing on problems facing the
Commonwealth rather than to
make binding decisions. I
One of these problems is a
japanese peace treaty. Primarily,
the Commonwealth nations will
search for a solution to the ques-
ton whether Japan should be
strengthened as a possible future
ally against Russia, and perhaps
Communist China, or kept weak.
On economic questions the
delegates probably will discuss
the question of sterling balances.
Most Of Britain's $8.400, 900 900
sterling balances-war debts-sre
held by India and other Asiatic
countries.
Working OF Balances in Trade.
At present Britain is working
on the balances in trade. The
problem concerns her dollar posi-
ton. II Britain cancelled or froze
the war debt-as the United
States urges-much more Of her
trade might 60 to earn dollars in
dollar countries.
Other subjects that may come
into the discussion are the status
Of the French sponsored Bao DaiI
regime In Indo-C China, the new
United States Of Indonesia,
Burma. Malaga and Thailand1
(Siam), all threatened by an ex-
tension Of communism from
China.
Mr.. Senanyake told his news
conference he did not believe the
dispute between India and Pakis-
tan over Kashmfr would come up,
though informal talks between
delegates of the two dominionsl
might be held.
The Communist threat is bound |
to be. emphasized in any discus
sion of a Japanese peace treaty.
This situation is complicated by
China's loss to communism. Some
delegates have commented here
that it would be possible to hold
. peace conference on JapaN
without Russia, which they said
played little part in Japan's de-
feat. But. they add. China, first
to be overrun by the japanese
and close neighbor Of Japan, is
vitality concerned with the peace
terms.
A big problem for the Common
wealth countries will be keeping
China from becoming willing
ally Of Russia in any future ag-
gression. Some delegates believe
the Commonwealth may be able
to maintain contacts with the
more democratic forces in China
through diplomatic and cultural
channels.