Peace Conference

It is over two years since the World Peace Council first culled for top level discussions between the great nations to effect a pact of peace. Roundly denounced at the time by our Press and politicians as being a Communist propaganda move it nevertheless evoked an instant response from many sections of the common people on both sides of the "Iron Curtain."

In spite of avowals by responsible leaders in both sections of the world, that it is possible for capitalist and Socialist countries to live in harmony, there appeared to be no inclination in the West to get together with Russia to talk things over. For example, the International Red Cross called for the ratification of the Geneva Convention on Bacteriological Warfare by America, the only member of the "big Four." Who have not done so and also called for effective control over atomic weapons. Culls for top-level discussions were made by many religious leaders including the Pope, who described frank discussions among world Powers as "an indispensable condition of peace" Still Truman, and later Eisenhower, evaded the issue by insisting that all necessary moves could be earned out in the United Nations., notwithstanding that a recent Gallup poll of U.S. opinion showed 78 per cent in favour of talks with Russian leaders. This, together with economic developments, led to a sharpening of the differences between the U.S.A. on the one hand and Britain and France on the other. At last Winston Churchill raised the issue so sharply by suggesting a Four-Power conference that it could be no longer ignored. Reaction was instantaneous and in many cases enthusiastic The leaders and the Press of Britain, India, France, Canada, New Zealand and many other countries expressed their basic agreement. Only in America was the plan received coolly or even with hostility. The diplomatic initiative had been wrested from the self-appointed leader of the Western world at a time when Britain's traditional prestige was being enhanced by the pageantry of the Coronation. Eisenhower's clumsy attempts to regain the initiative by proposing a "preliminary" three Power conference to agree on policy stalled by an "unexpected" French Cabinet crisis was soon seen for what it really was. An attempt to delay the talks until U.S. hegemony over her allies could be re-established.

That responsible leaders in Britain have seen that the temper of the people will brook no delay is clearly shown by the Coronation-eve suggestion of the Archbishop of York that Churchill proceed, alone if necessary, to have exploratory discussions with Russia in an endeavour to remove her fear that the West plans to wage war upon her The people of the world, however, want neither two-Power nor three-Power preliminary conferences, neither Anglo-Russian nor Anglo-Franco-American blocs, but a single and frank great Powers conference with no demands predetermined in secret discussions as the first steps to the signing of a Pact of Peace. Let the people of New Zealand then clearly and vigorously demand that our Government give immediate and practical support of a Four-Power [unclear: Conference].

—Socialist Club Committee