Evening star., 1944-08-30
Active Group 10 Block
Future Wars Wins
Rooseve|t's Approval


Rooseve|t's Approval
BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD.
A fast-moving. compact council
of powers, capable OF stepping on
an aggressor before 1t is too late, is
viewed by President Roosevelt As one
Of the salient features Of the postwar
Security organization now being
fashioned at Dumbarton Oaks.
The President made the point
clear at his press conference yester-
day a few hours after the chiefs of
the American, British and Russian
delegations had announced agree
ment on three principal points OF
the conference.
Throughout his discussion Of the
proposed postwar security organiza-
ton, Mr.. Roosevelt made it plain he
believes 1t must be capable Of efYec-
tive military action, taken against
an aggressor by the council.
HTOmpt ACtlOn NeO0c0.
When a dispute arises, he ex-
planned, 1t would be discussed in the
assembly, q large group including
all peace-loving states, where an
effort would be made to solve 1t
by peaceable procedure, apparently
meaning arbitration or conciliation
But, he went on, If one of the parties
to a dispute kicks over the traces
and violates a frontier, there must
be prompt and decisive action.
No time will be available, the
President said, to send out word that
there will be a meeting of the as
sembly next month.
The President also appealed to
the public to center on the thought
Of the necessity of establishing an
organization capable of maintaining
world peace, rather than carping
over details.
Power Of Council Discussed.
1t has become apparent in the
last few days that public debate is
centering largely around the ques-
ton of the composition and powers
Of the council. The original Ameri-
can plan, 1t is reported, provided
for a council Of II members, OF
which the United States, Great
Britain, Russia and China should
hold permanent seats and seven OF
the small nations in the assembly
should be elected periodically to
temporary places.
Both Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, Re-
publican presidential candidate, and
certain Senators have protested
against -four power dictatorship"
OF the world. The viewpoint in ad-
ministration circles, however, Is that
If the small nations have seven
members on the Council, they will
be adequately represented and can
not be considered, in any sense, the
objects of dictation.
Russia, particularly, is known to
hold the opinion that If the big
powers are to provide the forces
as they must-to deal with aggres-
sion, they are entitled to play a
major role in determining where
and when those forces should be
used.
League-Like Group Doomed.
1t is also pointed out in conference
circles that any sort of organization,
such as the old League of Nations,
which could take military action
onL with the consent of a large
and unwieldy assembly. would be
doomed to futility from the start.
The, Geneva experiment, they hold,
proved that conclusively.
Asked to explain how the new or
ganization would differ from the
Geneva body, Mr.. Roosevelt said that
he could enumerate so points of diff
ference. For one thing, he said, the
new organization would deal with
such matters as food, apparently
meaning famine relief.
This statement caused some sur
prise as it had been widely UNDER
stood here that the organiza ton
being fashioned at Dumbarton Oaks
would be charged only with main-
tanning peace. The Presidents re-
marks, however. indicated he had in
mind the possibility that the As
sembly might consider matters other
than security, while the latter sub
ject would be the exclusive domain
of the council.
No Comment on Meeting.
The President was asked again
about his forthcoming conference
with Prime Minister Churchill, bu,
would say only that he expected tc
hold it soon.
Meanwhile, the three-power state.
ment at Dumbarton Oaks which re.
ferred to the principal states" or
the council renewed speculation thai
France might be added to the big
four" as permanent members.
A reporter called the attention o1
Mr.. Stettinius to the phrase, which
has replaced one used earlier-the
signatories of the Moscow four.
power declaration-and asked If il
meant that France would be given q
permanent seat. He would say only
that the matter was under consid.
Grafton. AS revealed in The Stal
last week. Great Britain is sponsor.
ing the inclusion of France, it's ira
dltional continental ally.