Evening star., 1945-01-06
Allied Difference Held
Only d Surface Clash

Only q Surface Clush
Russian Recognition Of Lublin Is
Evolutionary Step, Says Writer
By Dapid Laurence
On the surface 1t looks as II there Is
serious "clash" between the diplomatic
policies OF Russia on the one hand and
the United States and Britain on the
other. This will doubtless be referred
to as split" or as break" In the
solidarity OF the United Nations. Actu-
ally the recognition by Russia of the
Lublin government In Poland is Just q
step in the evolution of difficult and
delicate problem of adjusting the rela-
tions between the peoples of liberated
countries and the outside world.
1t is unfortunate, OF course, that any
differences OF opinion should arise
among the Allies on any question, but it
is fortunate, on the other hand, that
the differences are revealed instantly
to the public in order that the healthful
and corrective processes Of public opin-
ion may guide the United Nations in
their endeavors to fnd an equitable
settlement. u
It has been anticipated that Russia,
as a maneuver In Fastening decisions,
would recognize the Lublin government
and also that Great Britain and the
United States would maintain their
recognition Of the Polish government in
exile in London. Eventually the two
Polish governments must merge and
coalition be developed which will satisfy
Russia, Britain and the United States.
Applying Of Principle.
What we are witnessing, to be sure. is
the fundamental method Of applying the
principle of self elf-determination. There
are some, observers who insist that
problems Of this nature do not have any
formula for solution and that they
must be dealt with on the basis of day
by-day expediency, but the history Of
diplomatic controversies on the subject
Of recognition shows that there are
plenty OF precedents and plenty of ways
and means of finding out when govern
ment truly represents the wishes Of the
people Of a country.
The United States itself has had
long series Of experiences on the subject
Of recognition. The basic principle has
always been that government which
shows that 1t has military domination
over country is entitled to recognition
as the de facto authority, and later on
when there Is an election or some other
step In the constitutional process ac-'
quiesced in sor participated in by the
people recognition of legal nature is
given to what Is then called the de
jure government" ~
Obviously in this instance there Is no
military domination of Poland by the
Poles themselves because 1t is being
liberated by outside help. .
Question of independence.
A declaration has been made by
Russia that she wants Poland to be In
dependent. The question that arises
now Is whether the government at
Lublin which has been recognized by
Russia as provisional government is
Independent or is just puppet govern
ment set up by Russian influence.
So far as the United States Govern
ment is concerned it will wait for further
evidence as to what extent the people
OF Poland acquiesce in the Lublin gov-
ernment. And because internal friction
and civil war may result from the fact
that the Polish government in exile
raY,roSantc 70
government another it is In accord with
tradition and custom to withhold recog-
milton indefinitely.
It is not unusual for the United
States or other governments to post
pone recognition until all the evidence
as to the desires of the people i'm given
country has been assembled. Recogni-
ton is unilateral act and not neces-
sarily the result OF agreement between
allies.
Precedents Upset.
But the precedents are upset by the
| fact that the Allies once pledged them
selves to deal jointly in all matters
affecting the liberated countries, and it
is that pledge which is open to debate II
Russian manipulation is behind the
Lublin government.
Public opinion undoubtedly will insist
that the United States, Russia ana
Great Britain get together on machinery
on questions that arise in liberated
countries. The record of the United
States on the whole matter is clean be-
cause we have not attempted to foist
on any people, either in France or Italy
or Greece or Poland, any individual or
set Of individuals to act as provisional
government. American policy has been
to defer action until the people could
IN some way express themselves.
| The obvious solution all along has
been to maintain military govern
| ment supported by the Allied govern
ments and to work out in London or
Washington fair and equitable means
of ascertaining the wishes of the people.
There Is no compelling reason why
this method of ascertaining should be
the same in all cases so long as, in the
end, all parties agree that a predom-
inant number of the people in liber-
ated country have participated In or
acquiesced in the government that
claims authority over them. :
! Reproduction Rishts Reserved.)