Evening star., 1945-10-06
Byrnes Text
Continued From Page A-aN

new about it was the following day
they would discuss unsettled ques-
tions including the American pro-
posal for peace conference and the
disputed September II decision.
In answer to a question the So
Wet Foreign Minister stated that.
while he could discuss the proposal
for a peace conference, he still was
without authority to act upon it.
The proposal had been discussed
for week. Further discussion
without action was futile.
1t was also obvious that once the
four protocols were signed 1t would
be useless on the following day to
discuss the question of inserting in
the protocols the decision of Sep
tember IL. An objection by the So
Wet delegation would prevent its
insertion.
Russian Objections Repeated.
The Soviet delegation also reiter-
ated their position that they would
not discuss the treaties in the pres
ence of members they now believed
to be ineligible. This would have
excluded China from the considera-
ton Of all treaties and France from
the consideration of all but one
without any assurance of participa-
ton in peace conference.
ment was impossible and further
meetings were useless. The Chinese
Foreign Minister, who was presiding
when the Council adjourned and at
whose instance the Council had re-
manned in session from Sunday I'M
til Tuesday, stated that under the
circumstances he could not ask the
Council to continue in session longer.
AS the record stands, the Foreign
Minister of the Soviet Union has
not rejected our proposal for peace
conference. During the discussions
he admitted it was correct in prin-
ciple. My hope is that, after he had
conferred with his government, his
government will agree that the ma
tions that fought the war-the
World War--Shall have a chance to
make the world peace.
The matter that caused the sus-
pension of our work lis no trivial or
technical question. 1t presented an
issue that had to be met. 1t is
whether the peace shall be made by
three or even Ave nations. to the
exclusion of other nations vitality
concerned in the maintenance and
enforcement of the peace which is
being prepared.
The issue goes even deeper. The
Council of Foreign Ministers acts
under the unanimity rule just as the
Security Council of the United Ma
tions must act in many important
matters, but in the Security Coun-
Gil no nation has the veto power in
procedural matters while in the
Council of Foreign Ministers one
nation can veto all action.
The veto power is a great power
and should not be lightly exercised.
We are willing to make many con-
cessions but the United States does
not believe in agreement at any
price.
The power of veto in procedufal
matters should not be used by the
United States or any other nation
to coerce the judgment and con-
science Of fellow nations.
Peace must be based upon mutual
understanding and mutual respect.
1t cannot be secured by procedural
maneuyerings which obscure from
the people the real and vital issues
upon which their peace depends.
Undeterred by temporary setbacks
and ever willing to accord to others
that tolerant understanding that
we wish others to accord to us. we
must not relax In our efforts to
achieve just and lasting peace for
ourselves and all nations. with
firmness in the right as God gives us
to see the right. let us strive on to
finish the work we are in"