Evening star., 1942-06-12
Agreement With Russiu

The key position which Soviet
Russia occupies in the present
lineup of the United Nations is
dramatically emphasized by the
series of agreements just announced
here and in London. These accords,
some written and some oral, relate
to various current and postwar
problems affecting the three nations,
but all express the common purpose
OF achieving solidarity OF action,
now and later, among the three
powers.
The actions may be divided into
three phases. First, there is Joint
acknowledgment by the United
States and Great Britain that they
have a full understanding" of the
urgency of creating a second front
IN Europe in 1912" Second, there is
a lease-lend agreement under which
this country and Russia pledge
themselves to policy of mutual
aid" with respect to supply require
ments and agree to general
principles for postwar economic
collaboration. Third, there is a
twenty-year pact between Britain
and Russia for common action to
preserve peace and resist aggression
in the postwar period"
The wording of the Identical and
simultaneous announcements by
Britain and the United States
regarding the second front is impor-
tant, in that the question of whether
or not such a front actually would
be opened this year was left for Ger
many to guess. Both nations recog-
fli5ed "the urgent tasks" Of creating
new front in 1912 and both reached
agreements on the subject with Mr..
Molotov, Russian CommiSSar of For
eign Affairs, that apparently were
satisfactory to him. In fact, Mr.
Stalins astute representative seems
to have had relatively easy sailing
In his whirlwind tour of the two
Allied capitals.
But he did not take back from
Washington any written commit
ments Of the type to which Britain
has become a signatory. That pact,
while dealing only in broad policy,
carries implications Of an arrange
ment that would closely link the
British and Russian nations mill
tarily and politically. as we'll as
economically. 1t is doubtful that Mr..
Molotov could have hoped to effect
such an alliance with the United
States. He is fully conversant with
the essence of our foreign policy"
As laid down by Secretary Hull in
his Press Club address of March II.
1898, and from which we have not
deviated in our leaSe-lend or other
dealings with foreign powers Secre-
tary Hull said that it was prudent
and sensible for nations having
common interests and common
objectives ito proceed along parallel
lines" but that this Government
would retain "at all times It's indie
pendence of judgment and freedom
of action" in accordance with it's
traditional policy of refraining from
entering into entangling alliances
with other countries.
There is nothing in what has been
disclosed regarding the secret meet
ing between President Roosevelt and
Mr.. Molotov or the agreements
resulting therefrom to indicate that
there has been any departure from
that historic policy. We are merely
pursuing parallel, co-opera tive line
Of action with a nation engaged in
the common task of exterminating
Hitlerism-and Nearing the brunt of
the task at the moment in a capable
and admirable manner. Americas
selfinterest requires that we do
everything possible to sustain Russia
In her critical effort.