The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-05-26

over strategic bases and the terri.
torial booty which will be left over
after the AXIS is finally defeated.
Honestly TO discuss the very real
problem OF bases and the DISPOSE.
ton OF the Italian and japanese
empires is one thing. But TO cover
it over with the concept OF trustee
ship is dangerously TO arouse, and
then TO dlssppoint, the hopes of
$50, 600, 900 colonial and colored
peoples. The contrast between the
universal principles enunciated in
the American. British and French
proposals and their niggardly ap-
plication is politically explosive. II
is of just such inflated expectations
and morning-after disillusionment
that revolutionary movements have
often been born.
That this would be the ultimate
fate OF the trusteeship idea seemed
probable after Mr.. Roosevelt's
death. He left the idea as an un.
welcome legacy to the American
delegation. a group not over.
crowded with men Of vision.
The net effect of the American.
British. and French proposals 10 to
permit any country TO give up its
empire If il chooses TO do so! In
the meantime. while awaiting this
unlikely event "trusteeship" is ac-
tually step behind the League
mandates system in that il gives
the possessing power legal right
to fortify dependent areas and to
use dependent peoples and re-
sources for war.
The third issue on which the
U.S.S.R. has taken the leadership
IS the question of colonial and coll
ored peoples. This became apparent
in three stages. | know from both
the Indian press and the Indian
Nationalist here what q sensation
was created when Mr.. Molotov
during the debate on Argentina
said. I'VE have at this conference
Indian delegation. But India is
not an independent state. We all
know that the time will come when
the voice of an independent India
will be heard too" There. were,
! am told. banner headlines on tina:
statement in the press of India, and
for the colonial and colored peo-
pies India is the touchstone and the
test OF imperial intention. The Sec
ond step came az the May press
conference when Mr.. Molotov said
| that in considering trusteeship pro-
posals the Soviet delegation real
/ ICES that from the viewpoint of the
interest of international security
we must first of all see to 1t that
: dependent countries are enabled n
soon as possible to take the path
of national independence" Ths
American delegation. at an off-the-
record press conference. sought to
counterfeit the effect Of this state
ment by saying that no concrete
proposals had been made by the
Russians and implying that they
were just talking for political effect
But the Soviet delegation has now
taken the third step and embodied
this idea in formally suggested
amendments TO the American pro-
poSalS.
II Mr.. Roosevelt were alive. he
would utilize this Russian pressure
which certainly accords with the
natural sympathy OF average
Americans for subject peoples-to
force the British and the French
and the Dutch TO compromise, to
meet the desires OF the colonial
peoples halfway, 10 give some sub
stance 10 the concept of trusteeship.
Mr.. Roosevelt understood with in
stinctive vision that the coming
century would see the colonial and
colored peoples rise 10 the place in
the world they deserve. that their
friendship is important 10 our chill
dren and grandchildren. that our
own democratic traditions call for
an understanding attitude toward
their aspirations. and that their
freedom would eliminate the i'm
perialist rivalries which are a ma
jor cause of war Unfortunately,
there are not more than two or
three persons on the American
delegation who understand this.
And unless President Truman rises
10 the occasion as Mr.. Roosevelt
would have done. the Soviet posi-
ton IS likely 10 be utilized only as
another means Of creating distrust
between the USSR. and the West.
But that would be 10 identity our
own country with Imperialism and
reaction IN the minds Of the
colonia, and colored peoples and to
orient them toward the U.S.SR
This would be unworthy OF what
America has meant 10 the world in
the pas, and should mean in the
future.
What would meet the hopes Of
dependent peoples halfway? First.
for the colonial and colored peoples.
the right Of oral petition in person
20 the truSteeship council. the right
% have me reports OF that council
made public, the right 10 native
representation upon IL, the right to
an education. This is not much to
ask. Second for lndia--Which has
dual disadvantage IN being a sub
ject state whose purely formal SOW
ereignty IS made an excuse for
continuing its ubjection--some
provision must be made at east TO
let Is own voice De heard by the
.rusteeShip council. and 10 provide
an international guaranty OF
Britaln'S past promises OF self
government Third. FOR my own
people, the Jews. millions OF whom
still want and need national home
<jr PalcSt.nr, NDleSS certain amend.
meats suggested by me NAInetItsn
Jewish conference can De obtained.
ne upShot of the shift ~ trustee
ship" will be 20 deprive The Jews
N Palestine and their homeless
brethren abroad ot what fragile
rights IN that country are still left
20 them from the promises so SOL
EMMY made IN the last war Pales-
line would still oe a British man.
date. but Jewish rights in u would
oe less than before. the pawn Of
naneuVer!ng by English and
American oil interests for Arab
favor The trusteeshlp issue brings
the great powers 10 a historic mo-
men; IL President Truman mas the
. foresight 20 seize upon il. he Can
utilize the leverage made available
A.. Nv the USRR 90 win consider.