Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-28
Moscow Compromise


discussions at Moscow cannot be
judged with flnality on the face Of
the language of the communique.
The significant disclosures will come
with the augmentation of the
terms of the agreement, for that
and that alone can reveal whether
real progress has been made at
Moscow.
1t Is obvious that the United States
has made substantial concessions.
Three months ago it was announced
officially from the White House that,
although every effort would be made
to, establish policies for the conduct
OF the Occupation and control" of
Japan which would satisfy the
principal Allied powers, "in the event
OF any differences of opinion among
them, the policies of the United
States will govern"
That position now has been
abandoned. Henceforth, the vital
policy decisions affecting Japan will
be made by Far Eastern Commits
sion composed of the representatives
OF eleven nations, four of whom
Russia, the United States, the United
Kingdom and China-apparently are
given a veto power similar to that
which has caused so much trouble in
Germany. And instead of resolving
differences in line with its own
policies, the United States Govern
ment shall prepare directives in
accordance with policy decisions of
the commission" and shall transmit
them to the supreme commander
General MacArthur-"who shall be
charged with the implementation of
the directives which express the
policy decisions of the commission. !"
The practical effect of this is to
leave General Macarthur as supreme
commander for administrative DUR
poses, but he becomes the agent of
the Far Eastern Commission instead
OF the agent of the United States
In addition, on important matters
ne must consult and advise with q
newly-created Allied Council for
Japan, composed of representatives
OF the four major powers and with
himself as chairman.
1t is to be hoped that Secretary
Byrnes, in making these important
concessions, has obtained Something
worthwhile in exchange. His own
statement on leaving Moscow was
that the Important thing" about
the conference is that closer rela-
lions have been established so that
the possibility of agreement has
been greatly increasedabAassi
-. That is not too encouraging. An
agreement was reached on pro-
cedure for writing the peace treaties
with Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hun
gary and Finland. 1t is an agree
ment which, with the exception of
france in the case of Italy, vests
the power of final decision in two
or all of the Big Three powers. But
1t is an agreement which also
should make it possible to reach de-
cisions. Procedures also are laid
down for dealing with the problem
OF Korea, for the evacuation of
China, and for the ultimate recog-
milton of the governments of Ru-
mania and Bulgaria.
Finally, and possibly most i'm
portant, Russia has given her assent
to the establishment of a commits
sion under the United Nations Or
ganization to prepare recommends
tons for dealing with the many
problems arising from the develop
ment of the atomic bomb. It would
be rash to assume that this neces-
sarily foreshadows a solution of
these problems, for the commits
sion, while it is to be appointed by
the General Assembly, will be sub
ject to the control of the Security
Council so far as the most vital
phases of its work are concerned.
This means that any one of the
permanent members of the Council
can effectively curb the commits
sion by exercising it's veto power.
At the least, however, this phase of
the Moscow agreement charts a
course which can lead to solution
OF the aWeSome problems raised by
the Harvesting of atomic energy,
and without Russian participation
that possibility would not exist.
On the remaining current prob
lens, such as Iran and the demands
on Turkey, the communique is
silent. But If at the minimum Mr..
ByrneS and Mr.. Bevin and Mr..
Molotov have effectively arrested
the deterioration in Big Three re-
lations, which had reached a dan
gerous stage after the London Con-
ference, they have accomplished
something for which we may all be
thankful.
n n