Evening star., 1945-05-27
Big Five Seek
To A||ay Fear
Of Veto Power
indications Point
To Full Agreement
On YuItu Formula
BY GOULD LINCOLN,
Star Staff respondent

OeIiIdiluS iOT SOlIeHlng OF Cne
Yalta voting formula grant of
veto power to the Big Five per-
manent members of the projected
World Security Council contin-
ued to be the focal point of dis
cussion in the United Nations
Conference today.
That the formula will be finally
agreed to without change appeared
to be certain, despite drive by
some of the medium and small ma
tions for modification.
The only possible "softening" of
the formula will come, if it comes
at all, in an Interpretation" of its
meaning as applied to certain steps
that may be taken for peaceful set
tlement of international disputes.
There is particularly strong de-
mand for an Interpretation that the
veto power will not apply to moves
for investigation of disputes.
Major Contest Reported.
For several days a committee of
technical experts of the Big Four
powers-the United States, Britain
Russia and China-worked to de-
rive an acceptable statement of in
depreciation. A draft statement was
submitted first to the American
delegation on Friday.
One group in the delegation, led
by Comdr. Harold E. Stassen, in
sisted the Interpretation was not
liberal enough, leading to reports
that the delegation was engaged in
a contest of major proportions.
These reports were followed by an
effort to impose secrecy rule on
detailed information about the COM
mittee proceedings on this subject.
The committee, it was learned.
was told to make a further study
and bring in another report, which
it did today.
The American delegation held two
lengthy meetings today on this sub
Ject. At the conclusion of the Sec
ond brief statement was made 10
the effect that the delegation had
discussed and considered the inter-
pretive statement on the voting
formula; that the delegation was
in complete harmony and united
on the American position. and
would give the matter further con-
sideration.
Meanwhile. the committee OF tech
nical experts went back to work still
further on the statement, which
also is being considered by the other
members OF the Big -Four.
Uncertainty on Statement.
Exactly what to do with the in
terpretative statement, once it has
been completed, was still to be de-
cided. The matter may be taken
up at a meeting of the Big Five
late tonight. The statement may
be sent to the Conference Commit
tee working on this part of the
world organization charter. This
has been the expected course.
Whether it will be attached in any
way to the charter also is to be
decided.
The Yalta voting formula is sup
ported meticulously by American
and British delegations because it
was agreed to by the late President
Roosevelt and Prime Minister
Churchill in their last conference
with Marshal Stain. 1t is evident,
also, that if the American and Brit
ish Governments are to be in posi-
ton to demand that Mr.. Stain live
up to another part of the Yalta
agreement, relating to the organ
ization OF a more democratic gov
ernment in Poland, they cannot
back down on the voting formula.
Supporters of the voting formula
and its veto powers insist that the
success of the new organization de-
pends entirely on the good faith of
the big powers, and that they must
be trusted not to abuse the veto
power.
Could Block Small Nations.
Under this formula, each of the
Big Five would be able to block
any peace-keeping action by the
Security Council. Small nations
have objected to any such concen-
tration of power, particularly if 1t
is applied not only to forceful means
of handling trouble making nations,
but also to efforts to investigate
disputes and settle them peacefully
The sponsoring nations hoped to
supply an Interpretation which
would not alter the Yalta under
standing appreciably; which would
retain their vast authority, but
which would assure smaller powers
that veto authority is necessary and
will be used sparingly and in the
best interests of world weary OF
war.
Meanwhile, under the leadership
(see LINCOLN, Page A-4)