Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-03-15
Blunt Admiral StandIey


i Secretary Sumner Wees, announces that Admiral
William H. STANDBY American ambassador to Russia,
spoke without prior authorization in charging the So
Wet government with conceament of facts about aid
That is the oldest of diplomatic devices. always uti-
lied by government wishing to avoid responsibility for
matters likely to be offensive TO another government
with which friendly relations maintained and desired
There is not much doubt that Admiral Standey's
marks will be considered offensive by the Russian govern
ment
Ever since my arrival he said II have
fully been looking for recognition in the Russian press
of the that they getting material help from
America. SO far have failed to find any
THE Russians 10 be trying TO create the inn
preston home and abroad that they fighting the
war alone II appears to be the desire the part of
Russians TO make out they fighting the with
their resources rather than to acknowledge help
from any one"
ONCE these blunt remarks are in sharp with
- the previous policies of the American state depart
ment which has always "buttered up the Soviet govern
every occasion and at every opportunity 1t may
very well be true that Admiral STANDBY spoke without
consultation authorization
However it is not disputed that he spoke truthfuly
and even with restraint when the known facts
considered.
To establish official Russian policy in the matter it
is only necessary the of Premier
Stain who said February %:
In view of the absence of second front in Eu-
of the war"
And to establish the element of concealment in the
situation it only necessary to refer to the actual
aid Russia has received from the United States
Up TO February l of this year, according to lend
~ lease administrator E. R. Stettnius, the American
war aid to Russia included $500 airpanes, 5000 tanks
1880 trucks 100 motorcycles 1900 military tractors
three million pairs of boots $4,000 tons of sole leather
$4,000 tons of rails and other railroad equipment.
IT. aixtaI1 Gall fa1ap hnpaC
and hundreds of thousands of miles of telephone wire
In further addition Russia received 268 600 tons of
petroleum products, $4,000 tons of steel, $4,000 tons
of aluminium and duraumin 21O 900 of zinc $4,000
tons of copper and brass $4,000 tons of touo and TINT
and $4,000 tons of other chemicals.
In still further addition according to Mr. Stetnius
tremendous quantities of American food were sent to
Russia
ALL of these materials were sent to Russia under
"A the penalty of depicting American stocks in cate
gories of stringent shortage.
All of them were sent under the hazards of great
rsk-once estimated to involve losses approaching
so per cent the Murmansk convoy route.
Wherefore the record is perfectly clear on two points
of Admiral Standeys charge
Russia has received substantial American aid
And the Russian government has dsparaged it to
u.s. and concealed it from the Russian people.
Why should Admiral Standby be rebuked, and per-
haps recalled, for asserting these facts?
Premier Stain freely spoke his mind about them
and if what he said misstatement misrepre
sentaon why should not American voices be raised in
refutation?
7 UNITY between America and Russia is much to be
~ desired of course, since have a common enemy
But disparagement and concealment not contribu
tons to unity on Russa's part and the pattern of
ONE-WAY unity thus set will not increase American
enthusiasm for further sacrifices in behalf of Russia
The American people likely to want to hear
from Admiral Standby and not less. The state
department may suppress him, but it will not suppress
the desire and demand of the people to have straight
picture Of the Russian situation and to have the kind
of straight talk about Admiral Standby has provided