Evening star., 1945-07-16

The Big Three conference that opens
in Potsdam today is considerably
more important than the one held
in San Francisco, for the course of the
world is not determined by generalities
and overall formula, but by specific
actions. In Potsdam very important
and definite political problems have to
be solved in agreement. Yet the con-
ference contains political elements of
great uncertainty.
The United States and Russia do not
know what, in few weeks time, will
be the political situation in Britain.
Britain and Russia have no experience
whatsoever of President Truman and
Secretary of State Byrnes. There has
been no preliminary conference between
Britain and the United States, in con-
traSt to the condition Of permanent
conference which existed between Prime
Minister Churchill and the late Presi-
dent Roosevelt.
In all previous conferences the mill
tary situation occupied the foreground.
Political issues tended to be postponed,
or settled in rather ambiguous agree
fnents. Now the European war is over,
political issues are pre-eminent, and
every further postponement increases
the number of fats accompliS.
A change of government in Britain
would, theoretically, lessen the possibili-
ties of friction between the Soviet Union
and Britain. Clement R. Attlee is ac-
companying Churchill in order to make
agreements satisfactory to the Labor
party. But every change in govern
ment brings in new personalities and
new imponderables, and it is doubtful
whether Mr.. Attlee can fully foresee the
results of a victory for his own party.
A party in opposition is never the same
as party in power.
&& 4 4
The foreign policy of Mr.. Truman and
Mr.. Byrnes and their negotiation ca
pacities are still an "X." Mr.. Byrnes
was at Yalta-but not as Secretary OF
State. Mr.. Truman has never particl-
pated in an international conference.
Both are pledged to continue the policy
of President RooSeyelt-though Mr.. Tru-
man has said he would not be bound by
verbal agreements made by his prede-
cessor. But in any case Mr.. Roosevelt
made his policy as he went along. He
died in a most critical moment, and
left no testament or blueprint for his
successors.
What we do know is the temperament
and general attitude of the President
and Secretary of State in the new ad-
ministration. Though they may "agree"
with Roosevelt and Stettinius, they are
quite different men.
Mr.. Byrnes, for instance, is logical
- Nv RI
Cordell Hull. In fact, the similarity is
striking. Both are Southern Democrats
whose experience has been in Congress
and the world of politics, and not in
the world of business. Both have solid
support in the Senate, which makes
them invulnerable in the administration.
However other men around President
Roosevelt might have disagreed with
Mr.. Hull, Mr.. Roosevelt neither could
nor would have dismissed him. Mr..
Byrnes' position is equally strong. He
will not be satellite in the presidential
solar system, but an equal star, and, for
the time being, he is next in line for
the presidency. President Roosevelt
was, to an increasing degree during the
war, his own foreign minister. Mr..
Truman will not be.
II II 4 #
President Roosevelt also was much
more subtle and versatile personality
than his successor, inclined always to
fit himself into situations as they arose
and finesse his way among his allies.
He had unlimited faith in his own ca
pacity to adjust himself and the Amer
lean policy to each successive change
and crisis. Ee believed less In fixed