Evening star., 1945-05-24
Lincoln
Continued From First Page

Continued From First PAGE
that is the correct Interpretation,
although they aren't entirely happy
about it.
But if Russia insists, they feel
they are bound to support it, that
they were committed to do so by
the late President Roosevelt.
There is optimism in some quar-
ters that the Soviets eventually will
agree to some slight modification
at least they will not want to be re-
sponsible for single-handed defeat
of liberal proposal supported by
most of the nations of the world and
by a huge public sentiment How
ever, no indication has come from
the Russian delegation that they
will weaken.
Two-Thirds Vote Rule.
If Russia stands firm against any
change in the voting formula, the
situation could evolve like this:
Under the rules of the conference
it requires a two-thirds vote to
adopt proposed amendment. If
the Big Five stand together and
have the support OF II other nations
they can block any amendment. AL
ready a number of nations have
agreed to 90 along with the Big
Five on this issue.
1t also requires a two-thirds vote
to adopt finally the voting formula
Enough Of the medium and small
nations conceivably could therefore
defeat the voting formula on a
showdown.
Such action, however, would mean
in all probability no charter and no
world organization for peace. That
enough Of the nations would force
the abandonment of the charter by
such tactics is not considered prob
able.
The Committee on Regional Ar
rangements finally resolved a pre-
vious crisis" late yesterday by
agreeing to an amendment which
authorizes a group of nations like
the American republics to take COL
lective defense action without first
obtaining authority of the security
council If any one of them is ac-
tually attacked.
1t has taken more than two weeks
to iron out this problem. It's settle
ment in a manner satisfactory to
the American republics may have
distinct bearing on the fight over
the voting formula.
What it does in effect is to relieve
any group of nations which is act
ing through the sovereign right of
self-defense from the operation of
a veto by one or more of the perma- :
nent members of the Security coun-
Gil. Certainly this will tend to make
the Latin American republics less
adamant against the Yalta voting
formula, and perhaps some of the
other nations too.
Another Step Forward.
Another long step forward was
taken in the consideration of the
international trusteeship issue. A
committee voted for the American
plan which gives nations holding
trusteeships the right to determine
what shall constitute strategic
areas"-areas that may be used for
military and naval bases. The Rus
slams had proposed that the security
council should make such decisions
While no decision has yet been
made on the question of "inde-
pendence" or "self-government" as
the goal for dependent peoples
under trusteeships, a formula has
been written which it is believed
will be satisfactory. Home govern
ments are being consulted regarding
the acceptability of the compromise
which is understood to include both
self-government and independence
With the regional arrangements
and trusteeship problems we'll on
the way to final settlement, leading
delegates to the conference ex-
pressed hope that another two
weeks would see the world organ
izaiton charter completed.
The announcement that President
Truman is coming to San Francisco
to close the conference with a con-
gratulatory address has encouraged
the belief that the conference will
press rapidly forward with its work.
The % questions put to the Big
-Four on veto and voting procedure
Of the security council 60 into many
phases of possible peaceful settle
ment.
For example, they ask if the veto
applies to security council decisions
to exercise its power to investigate
disputes. This question is put in
several different forms.
Another question is whether the
veto applies to decisions of the Sc
curity council to call on the parties
involved to settle disputes through
peaceful means If the disputes are
likely to endanger the peace.
A third question asks If the Sc
curity council deems dispute likely
to endanger peace is the veto ap-
plicable to the councils decision to
recommend such terms of settle
ment as it may consider appropriate
Other Questions Asked.
Also the questioners ask If the
veto is applicable to q decision tha,