Evening star., 1944-08-23
Dumbarton Conferees
See President, Form
-Four Subcommittee

-Four subcommittee
BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD.
The postwar security conference
at Dumbarton Oaks began its basic
work today with appointment Of
four subcommittee to study details
of plan for an international Or
ganization to maintain world peace.
Meanwhile, the three delegations
were received at noon by President
Roosevelt, who is taking keen
personal interest in the conference
and worked with Secretary of State
Hull on its preparation.
The four subcommittee will deal
with the drafting of security plans,
legal questions, general questions of
international organization and Sc
clr!ty. The last group, which con-
sists largely of military and naval
men, is expected to study the teen
nical questions involved in the use
Of force against aggressors.
Stettinius on Two Committees.
Undersecretary Of State Stet-
tinius. the chief American delegate,
was assigned to two committees
those on international organization
and security. The chief British and
Russian delegates. Sir Alexander
Cadogan and Amba ssador Andrea A.
Gromyko, also were assigned to the
same committees.
The drafting and legal committees
are composed entirely of experts in
their respective fields, all three of
the participating powers being rep
resented on them.
The committe on international
organization met at 10:30 am. today
and remained in session until noon
when it adjourned so that it's mem
bers might go to the White House.
The full conference had before it
today the postwar security plans of
all three of the participants. the
United States, Great Britain and
Russia. These were presented in
detail yesterday by the chief rep
resentative Of the three powers.
British Back U. S. Plan.
Reporters were barred from the
conference, but brief communiuue
on its work yesterday was issued at
the State Department by Michael J.
McDermott, Secretary Hull's aide
in charge of public relations. His
ctQ tannnnt contained lat oL1
the three plans, of which only the
American one has been publicly
summarized.
The American plan, with which
the British are in substantial agree
ment, provides for an assembly of
all the United Nations, council of
the big four" powers-the United
States, Great Britain. Russia and
China-with a rotating member
ship OF seven for the smaller ma
tions. 1t provides for the use of
military force against aggression by
direction of the council, but speci-
f1es that such forces shall be con-
tributed from the national defense
Establishments of the member ma
tions rather than being interna-
tionally organized on a permanent
basis.
Russia's plan, it is understood un-
officially, provides for an assembly
which would have only a consulta-
tive role, and places more emphasis
on the authority of the big four
in determining what constitutes ag-
gression and in taking military ac-
ton to deal with it.
In view of the strong sentiment
shown in Congress for protecting
the rights and authority of small
nations, it is considered virtually
certain that the United States del
egation will insist on the principle
of giving them a voice in all mat
tiers that concern them directly.
Compromise Hoped For.
However, it is hoped that some
compromise can be worked out
which will assure Russia of prompt
and decisive action by the security
league in dealing with aggression
The Russians are understood to feel
that the failure of the old League
of Nations to deal effectively with
the rise Of Nazi power in Europe
was due TO the endless pickering
and debates among the 60-odd ma
tlonS at Geneva, whose unanimous
vote was required for the employ
ment Of sanctions, and is deter
mined that the future security or
ganization shall be 'streamlined''
for fast and effective action by the
major powers.
Meanwhile, the Polish American
Congress, which claims to represent
100000 citizens of Polish extrac-
ton, has filed with the State De-
partment a memorandum voicing
strong objection to any league based
on sphere of influence" concep-
ton. The Poles apparently fear
that under such a system Russia
would dominate all the small coun-
tries of Eastern and Central Europe.
After declaring that the 300,-
600, 900 people of the small Euro
pean nations are Americas strong
est allies in continental Europe, the
memorandum states:
THE assurance that the countries
fighting for the privilege of freedom
shall be protected from totalitarian
aggression is of paramount i'm
portance. We are of the opinion
that the American people should no
longer be kept in suspense as to
which Of the two systems is to be
adopted de. dominance of the big
powers or a thoroughly democratic
postwar league of all states. They
should now, with full understanding
OF the cause. consider the present
and future advantages Of each and
make their choice r
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