Evening star., 1943-10-18
Advice From an Expert

HuNISS TIOIII UH Expert
In his recent address, former Un-
dersecretary of State Sumner Welles
urged both the administration and
Congress to offer bold and active
leadership to the American people
in the field of foreign policy and to
keep them as informed as possible
about diplomatic developments.
The reasoning back of Mr.. Welles'
advice is that the making of a sound
foreign policy cannot wait until
public preSSures are created 10 de-
mand one. The Government, in his
judgment, must do the initiating.
1t must formulate a program which
it regards as being in the best in
terests of the Nation, and it must
then publicize it and make it's mean
ing clear, "in order that our citizens
may study and pass upon it."
The time is at hand, according to
Mr.. Welles, when the Government
must take some such action. 1t is
true that the details of confidential
negotiations cannot be divulged and
that it would be foolish to jeopardize
the success of our Allied military
operations by forcing controversial
issues among the United Nations, but
1t is still possible, despite these
necessary limitations, for the admin
istration to reveal the major objec-
tives of its foreign policy. This Ger
tainly seems to make a great deal
OF sense, for, as Mr.. Welles says,
unless the American people are able
to see at least the pattern of what
their Government proposes how can
they intelligently determine for
themselves what this country should
strive, in its own interest, to see
achieved after the war is won?'
Prior to Pearl Harbor, the Ameri-
can people did not realize, as their
Government had realized for years.
that war was virtually inevitable.
Essential diplomatic secrecy was in
a measure responsible for this, but
such secrecy should not be allowed
to create disillusionment or shock
when the next peace daWns. Mr..
Welles' advice is altogether sound on
this point. He would have the ad-
ministration keep foreign policy out
in the open daylight as much as
possible, to the end that public
opinion in this country will be in
formed enough to make wise de-
clsionS when the time comes for the
United States to live up to its re-
sponsibilities in the world.
AS a private citizen-and it seems
unfortunate that an expert of his
stature is no longer active in dip
lomatic affairs-Mr. Welles has his
own plan for international COL
laboratlon. First, he would have
China, Russia, Britain and the
United States act without DELAY to
sign "clear-cut and specific"
agreement pledging mutual cooper
alton in the spirit and within the
framework of the Atlantic Charter.
Next, after the formation of this
tour-poWer nucleus, he would set up
an executive council representing
all the United Nations and he would
have this council deal with political
and other problems not impinging
upon the war effort. And finally,
with the rudiments of collective Sc
curlty thus established, he would
govern the movement toward per-
manent world organization accord
ing to two basic principles: First,
that 1t is the inalienable right of
all peoples to enjoy the freedom of
religion, Of speech and of informa-
tion," and, second, that mo nation
has the inherent or unlimited right
to govern subject peoples" but that
such peoples are entitled to become
their own masters as soon as thev
are capable of self-rule.
One may agree or disagree with
the particular formula proposed bv
the former UnderSecretary of State,
but there can be little or no doubt
about the wisdom of his counsel on
the desirability of having the Gov
ernment exercise strong leadership
IN shaping an American foreign pol
Icy and in enlightening the people
as much as it can, and whenever if
can, in respect to its diplomatic
negotiations. Such advice comes
from man rich in international ex-
perience. 1t is doubly valuable for
that reason.