Evening star., 1945-02-03
Letters to The Star
Uraes Support of New Regimes
Based on Peoples Wishes
70 the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
Evidently, from recent expressions Of
public opinion both over the air and on
the street, the general opinion that
prevailed in the United States with
reference to the Atlantic Charter was
that 1t was a signed document agreed
to by all of the four powers.
This was indicated in a conclusive
manner by the wave of disappointment
and disillusionment that swept the
country on receipt of news of recent
happenings in Greece.
1t also Is embodied in the general
conversation that one hears, to the
effect that the adoption of the Atlantic
Charter necessarily carries with 4 a
readjustment in India and the solution
of the racial question in our United
States
Would it not be possible. for the sane,
conservative newspapers of the country
to drive home to the common people
the fact that the Atlantic Charter has
no more significance than the Monroe
Doctrine; that it simply is a compilation
OF ideals towards which we wish hu-
manity to work; that it will not 70 into
effect by passing laws; that 1t does
direct the educative processes towards
ability for government; and that
1t is OF no value whatever except as a
statement of objectives ultimately de-
Slrable of attainment?
If this be true, then we should insist,
In all of the liberated countries, that
they start their new regimes where
they left off before they were conquered.
This would carry with it, necessarily. the
re-establishment of the prewar govern
ment Of Greece as the last expression
OF the people concerning their own
wishes. Likewise, the liberation of
France should have carried with it the
rebirth Of the prewar government and
would have done so had 1t not been for
the fact that the French people them
selves showed conclusively that they
had disavowed that government and
were willing to have an interim gov,
eminent controlled by De Gaulle.
After the war Is over. the big four
II they are sincere in wishing to adhere
to the Atlantic Charter-must see to il
that plebiscite is held in each of the
liberated countries to determine the
government that the people then wish.
Ihey also must see to it that the wishes
OF the people govern in all of these
countries and that the governments
chosen by the majorities are not ONLY
installed in power but are supported
in power.
This carries with it the responsibility
OF sustaining communistic govern
ment, socialistic government, a mon
archy or a democratic government in
any one of these liberated countries, if
such is the will of the people.
1t also carries with it the dissemina-
ton OF information as to the processes
OF the democratic form of government.
SO That the people, may know what thev
are accepting or refusing to accept. At
no time should any type of government
be imposed upon a people without
real expression of the wishes of that
people.
II the above elucidation of the At
lantic Charter is correct, would it not
be possible to drive this into the con-
sclousness of the American people?
Ihere would then be no disappoint-
ment or disillusionment when other
liberated countries are held rigidly to
prewar governments as a preliminary
step towards the formation of new
governments.
JOSEPH r. MAGIT1RE