Evening star., 1944-08-27
Problem of Policing Europe
TO Keep Many CTS Abroad
Future Peace, However, Held Far More
Dependent Upon Elimination of Power
Politics and Support for Atlantic Charter
By Constantine Bro,pn.

'ine Br0Wn.
indorse such policy is debatable and
depends on what real chances there are
OF maintaining peace in Europe. One
OF the many reasons why the American
people look with anxiety to the end Of
the military operations in Europe is
their desire to see their menfolk back
at home.
1t is probable that they would SUBJ
scribe to garrisoning Europe with
American soldiers and help her get back
on her feet with American money and
goods If they were convinced that there
are good prospects for establishing last
ing peace. But If they were to sus-
pect that the American soldiers will be
used as a coercive force to facilitate the
game of power politics of our Allies,
they will oppose the maintenance Of
their Army in foreign lands.
The American people overwhelmingly
indorsed the support given the anti
totalitarian powers before we were at
tackled in December, 1941. They also
applauded military strategy which
called for destruction of the German
forces before those of Japan. These
policies Of the administration were ap-
proved for two reasons-we felt that q
totalitarian system was not compatible
with the American political philosophy
and we believed that the security of this
continent would be threatened by
German victory in Europe.
In order to avoid both we had to
fight with everything we possessed. We
believed that the victory of the powers
with which we had thrown our lot
would bring about long era of peace
and justice. The Atlantic Charter
guaranteed the sovereignty of all the
nations which had been overrun by the
totalitarians. And we meant to enforce
it to the best of our ability, because to
our minds it meant international JUS
tice and good prospects for lasting
peace.
Final Defeat Near.
Americas active intervention in the
war is leading to the final and unre-
trievable defeat of our foes. Americas
action in sending an unbelievably strong
force to the battleflelds of Europe has
helped to demoralize the enemy's armies
as much as the powerful punches it has
received on the battlefelds of Russia.
The final military defeat Of the Ger
mans no longer Is a matter of months
but of weeks.
In this respect the administration has
kept its pledge to the people of this
country and to our Allies. But our
contribution to the paciflcation Of the
world should not end here, our political
leaders now say. American soldiers
should be kept in Europe until the
heavy swell created by the most severe
storm the world has ever seen has sub
sided.
This may be challenged by many who
do not want to see the United States
become a partner in power politics
which always has been the curse of
Europe and has been at the bottom Of
every war.
The American people are fairly well
informed about the military situation
on every battle front. BUT neither the
man in the street" nor his Represent
atives in Congress has even perfume
tory idea of what political commitments
have been made by the administration.
No one wishes to challenge the veracity
of Mr.. Hull's statements that he knows
of no secret treaties. There are, In all
likelihood, no such treaties. But it is log.
ical to believe that commitments re-
garding the fate of minor European
countries have been given at the vari-
GUS meetings held between President
Roosevelt and the leaders of the USSR
and Great Britain.
Russian Zone Of Influence.
There is strong circumstantial evi-
dence that Eastern, Central and the
greater portion of Southeastern Europe
has been placed in the Russian zone Of
influence, without its millions of inhabi-
tants being given an opportunity to ex-
press themselves. 1t is only necessary to
survey the graph" of the policy of the
United States in regard to Finland, the
Baltic states, Poland and Yugoslavia and
the fundamental changes which have
occurred in our attitude toward these
downtrodden countries.
The administration has been less COM
placent toward the British aims, al
though here, too, We have diviated from
our original intention. A typical illustra-
ton is our recent attitude toward the
French Committee of National Liberia
ton at Algiers.
Our military policy has been clear
since we entered North Africa in No.
vember. 1912. Our diplomacy, however.
has been one of expediency, in which
the basic principles for which this coun-
try has been fighting have been con-
tinually disregarded.
II Is believed that when the German
armies collapse, the entire area EXTEND
ing to the Elbe River will be placed un-
der the military control of the Soviet
government, while Southern and West
ern Germany will be placed under the
military control of the British and Amer
ican armies British military control, for
the purpose of enforcing law and
order" will be imposed on Yugoslavia
and Greece, with the likelihood that
Britain will expect to keep a finger in
the italian pie, at least so far as South
ern Italy, Sardinia, Sicily and the
Dodecanese Islands are concerned.
Two Powers Left.
On the surface, all this looks all right.
But II we scratch underneath, we find
the unpleasant centuries-old rivalry be-
tween the British Empire and Russia.
There are only two powers left in
Europe today-Russia and Britain. The