CFM Files
United States Delegation Journal
USDel (PC) (Journal) 26
The Commission considered an Australian amendment providing for a subcommittee to study territorial changes envisaged in the draft treaty [C.P. (Gen.) Doc. 1. B. 2]. This committee, composed of representatives of the four powers responsible for drafting the treaty and three others, would examine all documents on the boundary questions and would make recommendations to the Commission. M. Vyshinsky (USSR) strongly opposed the Australian proposal as ignoring the comprehensive work already done by the Council of Foreign Ministers. The U.K. Delegation also opposed the Australian proposal on the ground that the Commission could establish subcommittees to deal with special problems whenever necessary. The French Delegation did not think the establishment of a standing sub-committee as envisaged by the Australian proposal was in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Conference. M. Vyshinsky bitterly attacked the Australian proposal as intended to delay the work of the Commission, and he suggested that the Australian Delegation was trying to destroy the work of the Council of Foreign Ministers. Mr. Beasley (Australia) made a strong reply declaring that no one had delayed the progress of the peace treaties more than the Soviet Delegation; he said the Australians would not be bullied by anyone and wished only a just and permanent peace in Europe. The Australian Delegation then withdrew its amendment, and the Commission unanimously accepted the following resolution which was put forward as a compromise by the French Delegation:
“The Commission has examined the proposal of the Australian Delegation to set up a committee for the study of questions arising out of the territorial clauses of the draft treaty and, if necessary, to make recommendations on this subject. After discussion, the Commission took note that the Rules of Procedure, Section I, last paragraph, already permit the setting up of such sub-commissions for the study of particular questions. These sub-commissions will be set up in the course of discussion of the territorial clauses of the treaty whenever this is deemed to be necessary.”