Evening star., 1945-01-30
Hopkins Advance Job
On Conference Hailed
Visits to London and Paris Should
Help End Friction, Says Writer
By David laurence

By David Laurence
President Roosevelt used good judg-
ment in sending Harry Hopkins not only
to London but also to Paris to pave the
way for the big three" conference.
The coming meeting is too important
in the history of the world to be sub
jected to the usual hazards of ruff1ed
feelings or hurt prides growing out Of
neglected consultations. Inspired dis
patches from Paris in recent weeks in
be in on the "big three" conferences.
Also there were indications from Lon
don that the British were somewhat
bewildered by American criticism OF
their policy in Greece and Italy.
Mr.. Hopkins, it is now disclosed,
memorandum explaining in great detail
the American position toward the prob
lens arising out of the liberation of Italy
and Greece. with emphasis, too, on the
possibility that similar difficulties could
arise as the remainder of Europe is freed
from the Nazi yoke. This gave an op-
portunity for advance discussion and
informal explanation.
Has Background.
1t has been argued that this Is task
for the new Secretary of State, Edward
r. Stettinius and that the latter was
being sidetracked, but the truth is that
nobody on the civilian side of the Roose-
velt administration is as familiar as is
Mr.. Hopkins with all the BACKGROUND
and history of the Presidents relation
ships with Prime Minister Churchill and
Premier Stain.
President Roosevelt, on the other
hand, recognizing that the prestige of
the new Secretary of State might be
adversely affected if the latter did not
attend the big three" conferences, has
arranged to have him present so that he
can begin to familiarize himself first
hand with the major questions at issue.
A close persona. friendship has de-
veloped since the war began between
Harry Hopkins and the British Prime
Minister. Also it will be recalled that
Mr.. Hopkins was one of the first Ameri-
can officials to go to Moscow after Rus
sia entered the war, and he has a valu-
able background on Russian affairs. Mr..
Hopkins role is analogous to that of Col.
House, who acted as unofficial ambas-
sador for President Wilson The more
help of this kind that the President can
get nowadays, the better he will be able
to formulate American policy during the
critical days and weeks that lie ahead.
The matter of keeping Gen. De Gaulle
from growing offended because there is
no big four" is a delicate one France,
as one Of the great powers of history,
no longer has the military or naval
strength to command the attention
which she did in the World War or in
the period thereafter. The ideals of
the French people are close to those of
the American people, and there is nat
ural kinship between the United States
and France which can play a construc-
tive part not only in establishing the
new league of nations, but In carrying
out its program.
Military Questions.
The so-called big three conference,
however, is not just a matter of discuss
ing diplomatic problems. There are
many ticklish military questions in
which France is not primarily con-
cerned-especially strategy in the Far
East. 1t Is hard enough for the British
and American governments to get from
Moscow officials preview of what they
are planning with respect to military
strategy.
To add the large staff of another
country is frowned on by the Russians
The reason for Russian secretiveness
| is a desire to avoid leaks to the enemy
| through neutral countries. TIE Russians
insist that, when they have q military
secret, they keep it, With large STATS
present from four countries, the chances
of leaks of such military information
are increased.
Gen. de Gaulle will be kept informed,
of course, on all the diplomatic ques-
tions, and Mr.. Hopkins visit to both
London and Paris should not only help
to keep hurt pride from breeding fric-
ton but aid eventual agreement when
| France takes her rightful place on the
| IJpitad Nations Council