The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-02

Stdle department
have whipped him into shape,
taught him all the tricks of the
diplomatic trade, taught him when
to say yes, no, or maybe when some
Latin or Old World baby poses a
hypothetical question demanding
firm. unequivocal evasion.
Stettinius proved what a skilled
diplomat he has become when re-
porter asked him if it would be safe
to take the weekend off and go
fishing.
Now this was leading question
which might have compromised the
United States with every one of the
powers having an interest in the
Pacific Ocean, in which it is assum-
ed the reporter wished to fish. The
trusteeship issue on all the islands
in the Pacific being particularly
touchy at this time, such question
was obviously fraught with utmost
significance. The situation demand
ed careful analysis and consultation
before the position of this govern
ment could be stated by any official
spokesman. Had the Netherlands
been consulted? Had security been
considered? What did Truman
think?
In this ticklish situation. likely
leading to diplomatic incident
with far-reaching consequences,
Stettinius showed his skill at what
the foreign correspondents here
Familiarity refer to as 'the diplo-
matte game Fox" Stettinius they
call him now
1t is not permitted to quote the
distinguished Secretary's reply d.
rectly, as that might embarrass this
government at some later period.
But on highest authority of inform
ed sources, it can be stated that the
reply to the direct question, May
we go fishing over the Week-end?"
was TO the effect: Do you mean
fishing for fish?
A less skilled diplomat might have
muffed that one, but the first test
OF statesman is that he never be
caught off guard, behind the eight
ball, dead on his feet, and with his
striped pants down or out to the
cleaners. Without limiting the is
sue to its proper concept, the Sec
rotary might have been tricked in
TO giving the correspondents ap-
proval to go fishing for blondes. seal,
crabs, abalone or hidden informa-
ton.
1t might even have been inter-
preted as taclt consent for any of
the reporters interested in clans to
take advantage of the precedent set
in the celebrated case of Mary Ann
Mccarthy who, it is now being re-
called here, Went out to gather
clans and dug up all the mud there
was in San Francisco Bay.
But no. This government re-
nounced all such claims and the
kremlin and Downing Street should
take note of this highest-level pol
icy decision When the Secretary
was assured that the correspond
ents meant they wished to fish for
fish, he gave the idea his quick
sanction. 1t may be assumed this
had the backing of the White
House, though Senator Vandenberg
could not be reached Immediately
for comment
I'hls chess-master conduct of for
elgn relations is difficult, but it can
be learned. The traditional school
of diplomacy demands that interna-
tional affairs be kept as compli-
Gated as possible, so that everybody
VIII be happy because nobody will
know where he is.
Take Stettinius' position in the
great controversy over who should
preside at this Conference. To have
one chairman would have been too
simple. So what do they do? They
nave four Presidents and they make
Stettinius, who is now only one
fourth OF a President, chairman of
the Big -Four co-Presidents. They
call this system Rotating the
Craftsmanship Revolving might be
more accurate. Round and round
and round. This is also known as
diplomatic face saving and it's done
with mirrors.
Stettinius is also chairman of the
steering Committee of IS and the
Executive Committee of IA as well
as chairman of the U. S. delega-
ton OF eight. So any way you look
at 1t, Stettinius is top man, is dom
hor