Evening star., 1945-04-30
World Power Concepts
Unfolding at Pur|ey
Gap Between Russia and u. s.
Must Be Closed, Says Writer
BY David Laurence

By David Laurence
SAN FRANCISCO, April 3o-This is
the story of what is going on behind
the scenes of the United Nations
Conference. 1t is not a story of the
phrases of charter yet to be written
nor story about tedious meetings or
conflicting procedure It is a story
nevertheless realistic and In some
respects sensational. For it is the story
OF the conclusions being earnestly
reached by men of major importance in
the various governments represented
here.
1t is. in brief, warning that II the
prevention of World War III is the
greatest task that confronts mankind,
then a means must be found whereby
Russia and the United States shall
learn to trust each other, to UNDER
stand one another, to know one an
other.
There's no use mincing words. All
the nations gathered here, large and
small, are lining up, consciously or un-
consciously, behind either the United
States or Russia. Whether 1t be Great
Britain or France or Brazil or China
which look more than ever now to the
United States as their mighty protector
or whether it be Czechoslovakia, Yugo-,
slavia, and new array of smaller ma
tlons which have decided they must cast
their lot with Russia, the fact remains
that two different concepts of world
power are unfolding. They ought never
to be permitted to clash-they ought to
be required by world opinion to adjust
themselves to each other.
Agreements Unfulfilled.
There's no use camoufaging the truth
or suppressing facts. The Yalta Con-
terence brought forth communique of
hopeful phrases, but Russia has not
fulfilled the agreements made at
Teheran in 1943. The British, the
Americans, the European governments
directly concerned are all baffied.
puzzled, confused.
Why has Russia 1ound 1t difficult to
cooperate with Britain and America In
establishing a new government in
Poland as called for in the Yalta agree
ment? What are Russias problems, her
handicaps, her internal pressures? No.
body on our side knows: Russia keeps
these things from us. She allows, for
instance, Russian ambassador to open
an embassy in Czechoslovakia but re-
fuses permission to Britain and the
United States to send in their ambas-
sadors. Yet the Yalta agreement spe-
clflcally called for inter-Allied action
and no unilateral steps in the liberated
areas. Numerous instances of barriers
to officials Of Britain and United States
could be cited as existing in other areas
also under the Russian military COM
mand.
What then can be done? The Amer
lean Government and the British gov
eminent are frank and outspoken now
about these matters. There is no need,
OF course, for swashbuckling talk or
displays of temper but there Is a great
need for candor, for temperate criticism
and for open discussion in the press.
The first thing to be done is to be
practical on the economic side. Amer
lean economic aid should not be frit-
tered away as if it had nothing to do
With other issues or the> fulfllment of
other agreements. There is no reason
for arbitrary decisions or prejudgment
of Russian motives or proposals. Her
method OF bargaining is hard, often
lnept from our point of view and even
irritating, but it must be learned. and
she must endeavor to learn our ways
OF thinking and the importance of what
we term ideals. We may not be able
to gain acceptance Immediately for our
ideals but this is no reason to disparage
or abandon them as our goal
On Piecemeal Basis.
A charter will be written heS that
Russia will accept. What is more i'm
portant is the fulfllment of such a
charters provisions and the execution
OF agreements yet to be made with
reference to Germany and Japan. For
there is to be no peace conference or
peace treaty in the 1919 sense Special
problems will be handled in special con-
terences over period of years. peace
making is to be on piecemeal basis
until each problem is satisfactorily
adjusted.
Meanwhile thoughtful Americans have
solemn duty. The tragedy of differ
ing languages has been revealed here.
Mr.. Molotov does not speak English.
None of the principals on our side
speaks Russian. How can We ever be-
gin to appeal to each others minds and
consclences? American universities and
colleges should start at once courses
in the study of the Russian language.
The next American Ambassador to
Russia should know the language of
Russia. Our State Department should
establish division of Russian affairs
with capable men and women on its
staff.
The pride of Mr.. Molotov In being
able to preside over the plenary ses-
sion and speak Russian from the plat
form was mentioned by him. Russia
is having a rebirth of patriotism She
IS feeling a new sense of power and
this must inevitably bring a new sense
OF responsibility. But if ultimate war
between Russia and the Western World
Is to be prevented, no time must be
lost in beginning the interchange of
missions OF officials of businessmen. of
labor leaders, or newspapermen, and of
the best exponents of the spiritual and
cultural life OF the two countries.
The gap that already separates Russia
and the United States must be closed