Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-04-22
y. S. Has Unique Chance
To Lead World to Peace
Believing in Principles of Atlantic Charter Leaders
Must Convince Others That Power
Should Be Eliminated
By Constantine Br0,pn

I clear (but it is suspected that they were
not initiated by the leaders of this
country, the Atlantic Charter is now
an honorable document which has been
filed away for the historians of the fu-
ture. From the point Of view of prac-
tical international politics, it is as dead
as all the other well-meaning treaties
and agreements designed to prevent
outbreaks of wars and to impart justice
to a strife-ridden world. But that can
not detract from it the fact that it is
the essence of Americas thoughts about
justice to all without which no lasting
peace, regardless of Understanding
words, can be obtained.
President Roosevelt, who conceived
this document when he met Prime
Minister Churchill in August, 1941, fire.
quently told his associates that the sue
cessful prosecution of the war had COM
PEELED him to make some commitments
which were counter to the provisions of
the charter. He did not like them him.
self, he admitted frankly, but the war
had to be won and the commitments
had to be made
His successor is taking over the presi-
dency of the United States with an
official knowledge of what these COM
mitments were. He is duty and honor
bound to accept whatever official ar
rangements have been entered into by
the late Chief Executive and our war
associates. These are publicly known
cd NV hn toI Cfof
ate although they may not yet be in
treaty form.
Vote Understanding Cited.
But President Truman is in no way
bound by secret arrangements which are
said to be known in this country by only
a few of Mr.. Roosevelt's intimates. For
instance, it Is said in American diplo-
matte quarters that had Mr.. Roosevelt
passed away before the revelation of an
agreement to give Russia and America
three votes at the San Francisco Con-
ferenc, Mr.. Truman would not have been
compelled to accept it. Y
This does not mean that the new
Government will be deaf to any of the
logical reasons brought forward by our
Allies to obtain concessions which are
not provided for in the present official
pactS. But whatever changes may take
place will have to be brought about by
common agreements and consultations
between the parties involved.
This may require a series of impor-
tant negotiations, which Mr.. Humans
advisers say can take place in better
and more conciliatory atmosphere if
they are conducted in the United States.
The old American saying of live and
let live" can be more easily applied on
the soil of the United States than any,
where else. Although we have partici-
pated in two World Wars over a period
of quarter of century, we still do not
believe in power politics as it is UNDER
stood abroad.
Power is necessary and We have dem
onstrated that we have it and can use
it to crush an enemy. But it is still
foreign to the American mentality to
apply it either to friends or to helpless
people. Quite the contrary. If the peo-
pie in this country have espoused the
cause of the Allies before we went to
war and later have espoused the cause
of the small nations such as Poland, 1t
is because we did not believe that the
old European slogan might is right"
has any room in the new world setup.
And those who had the opportunity of
touching on these matters with Mr..
Truman before he took his oath of Of
flee say that he fully shares this belief
U. S. Aid Turned Tide.
The Axis has been defeated by the
united efforts of all members of the
United Nations and by the loyal popula-
tons in occupied countries.
But no one, either in London or Mos
COW, has any illusions as to what would
have happened to Europe had America
early in the war not become the arsenal
of democracy and had she not Joined in
the war later. Although it is not fire.
quently admitted openly by our Allies
that without this countrys unselfish
support the Axis would have dominated
the Old World, their leaders fully real
lie the part we have played in the de-
feat of the enemy.
Under these circumstances it may be
expected that after the cease-flre bugle
has sounded and the organization of
the peace of the world is taking def
mite shape, it will fall upon the United
States to become the real spearhead of
the forces which will forge a lasting
peace. And President Truman, who is
not incumbered by any secret commit
ments, is expected to finish the job I'M
dertaken by his brilliant predecessor.