Big Three meets again after 2-day delay
Sessions near end; Stalin slightly ill
POTSDAM, Germany (UP) – President Truman, Prime Minister Attlee and Premier Stalin met for three and a half hours today after a two-day delay caused by the slight illness of the Soviet generalissimo.
The Potsdam conference was believed to be drawing to a close, but a spokesman said the Big Three plenary consultation was not yet finished.
ABC reported that armed officers had taken up guard over he broadcasting studio at Potsdam “to prevent premature disclosure of the end of the Big Three Conference.”
A London dispatch said Prime Minister Attlee was expected to return to London in time for the opening of the new Parliament tomorrow.
Stalin remained in his Berlin quarters Sunday and yesterday. His physician described his illness as a “slight indisposition” – presumably a cold or indigestion.
Others in conference
There was no explanation why official spokesmen told newsmen that the three leaders were continuing to meet during the period while Stalin was unable to attend the sessions.
Soviet Foreign Commissar V. M. Molotov met with President Truman and Mr. Attlee on behalf of Stalin Sunday.
Molotov also conferred with U.S. Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin both Sunday and yesterday.
Censorship blamed
The conference was originally scheduled to have ended yesterday with an important communiqué, but Stalin’s illness prolonged it through today and possibly tomorrow.
Although the delay was first disclosed last night, heavy censorship at the top made a major mystery out of it by banning all mention of the reason for the interruption.
It was believed that the three chiefs of state still have major decisions to make on explosive problems relating to the Pacific War and occupation of Europe.
Truman slated to visit Britain
LONDON, England (UP) – Well-informed sources said today that President Truman will land in British soil late this week and be greeted by King George.
Informants reported that the King will go to some British port, probably Plymouth, to welcome Mr. Truman to Britain in a meeting unprecedented in royal history.
Indications were that the meeting would occur Thursday or Friday. That presumably meant that the Big Three meeting will be ended by then.
The King was originally scheduled to leave London tonight, it was reported, but the plans were changed because Premier Stalin’s indisposition delayed the Potsdam proceedings for two days.
Court circles said the King’s reported journey to welcome a foreign dignitary to Britain for a few hours will be the first time the sovereign ever paid such an exceptional honor. Normally he stays in the Palace and receives visitors to his court.
The King’s reported decision to break precedent was said to be based on a desire to honor the United States and repay the courtesies tendered him during his visit to America.
Big Three meeting bogs down?
LONDON, England – The impression is gaining ground that the Big Three meeting at Potsdam, acclaimed in advance as one of the great meetings of modern history, will fall somewhat short of expectations.
There appears no other explanation for the widespread confusion, which has marked the course of the conference, and the hasty manner in which it appears to be ending.
One thing is certain. Many matters which were pressing for consideration at the meeting cannot possibly have been settled up to now and must remain in abeyance if, as reported, the leaders are leaving Potsdam tonight. This may not have been the result of disagreement, but it must have resulted from a feeling that agreement at this time was not possible on certain problems.