Evening star., 1945-05-18
Signal Failure Seen !,
In Russion Diplomacy
Nations of World Now Solidifed
Against Soviet, Says Observer
By David Laurence

. .0~AAA~s SSVASS S@SO OScSA NSA
By David Laurence
SAN FRANCISCO, May 1e-The
Charter being written here will hardly
be worth the paper 1t is written on un-
less the relations between Russia and
the rest Of the world soon undergo q
substantial Improvement.
No nation In recent history. unless it
be Germany, has made - many mis-
takes in appraising the psychology Of
the other nations Of the world rs Soviet
Russia has made in recent weeks.
Nothing has done as much to solidify
the governments OF the world repre-
sented here than the confused. clumsy
and inept handling Of its Allies by the
Russian government. The Monroe Doc
trine and more than las years of our
diplomacy to win Latin Americas
friendship have never brought the
American republics 50 closely together
as have the misguided Russian tactics.
The Russian press does not hesitate
to speak out frankly in criticism OF
other countries, and in the interest OF
forging lasting friendship between
the Russian and American peoples
equal candor and forthrightness Is nee
essary on this side.
Danger in Situation.
The situation is a dangerous one be-
cause, unhappily. the Russian tactics
are irritating officials high and low
IN the major governments Of the world,
with the result that talk Of friction is
spreading among the various peoples,
whose prejudices grow faster than the
facts really warrant.
If ever a meeting OF some kind be-
tween governments to clarity positions
was needed, it Is today. Restraint has
characterized the attitude of Great
Britain and the United States. If all
the facts were published, the peoples
of the two countries would look askance
at Russian policy and friendships would
be impaired.
Looked at wholly from the Russian
viewpoint, her policy Of obstruction,
stalling and mysterious handling Of the
issues growing out of the defeat of
Germany is incomprehensible. II ever
a nation needed q public relations ad-
wiser, 1t Is Russia.
For Russia wants many things that
must. In the last analysis, be voted by
our Congress.
Russia wants billions in credits and
in raw materials for the rehabilitation
of her devastated areas.
Russia wants commercial ships and
she also wants a navy. She would like
to get substantial number OF Amer
icas superfuous warships when the
war against Japan is over. She will
lose all chance of winning such a con-
cession If she pursues her policy of
almost contemptuous disregard OF Amer
lean and British requests that the Yalta
agreement, requiring inter Allied con-
situations in liberated areas in Europe,
be fulfilled
The Russian course apparently has
been to assume that the United States
Is so anxious for Russian participation
in the war against Japan that America
Will agree to almost anything or will
overlook any Of the many rebuffs that
have been handed America and Britain
in Europe by Russia or by the states
where her influence has become para
mount. ...-
Voice in Far East.
No greater mistake could be made by
Russia than to assume her participation
Is essential to a victory over Japan.
Russia may see Japan surrendering un-
conditionally In the next few months,
and then Russia would find herself
without any voice in the Far Eastern
settlement.
The Russian policy Is doubtless In a
state Of fiux. It is considered that in
the end Moscow will see the wisdom of
preserving the Allied unity achieved in
fighting Germany. For If Russia breaks
away now and produces an open cleav-
age with the rest Of the major Allies,
she viii find world opinion mobilized
against her. This certainly will mean
that President Truman will not be able
to persuade Congress to furnish funds
or ships or materials to Russia and it
certainly can only mean chaos in
Europe instead of stabilization.
Russia has taken the stage. All eyes
are fixed on her But the judgments
being pronounced privately among dele
gates Of various nations indicate that
the Soviet Unions diplomacy has failed
signally to win for her the prestige she
deserves after her gallant performance
on the field of battle.
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