Detroit evening times., 1945-05-08
BEHIND
The NEWS
BY Paul
MaIlon

| GAN FRANCISCO, May =
~ The nine-point program OF
Dumbarton Oaks amendments
adopted by the American dele
cation represented quite a per-
sonal victory for Senator Van
denberg. II was the Michigan
Republican who first demanded
the main points such as inclu-
sion Of the word and ideal Of
Justice" through the charter
and opportunity for future
peaceful change Of the world
setup as well as the charter.
Other forces prescribed what
seemed in general 10 me 10 be
basic changes of theory from
Dumbarton Oaks along the
same lines such as specific in
cluSion of the Atlantic Charter
ideals, return 10 international
law, world court. safeguarding
human rights, etc.
EROM a political standpoint
the doctrines of interna-
tlonal law and world court
have a Republican origin. while
the Atlantic Charter and hui
man rights lines were devel-
oped by Mr.. Roosevelt The
Improvements devised by
Americans here therefore rep
resent a genuine compromise
and exhibit what I-think is an
outstanding development of this
meeting. namely a return to
spirit OF cooperation among
American political interests
which is so vitally essential in
the confused state of this world.
Most of the inside voting in the
delegation has been unanimous.
The British have effected
some notable democratic CO.
operation also in a delegation
which is split three ways, with
four Conservatives. three Social
lists and two Liberals. There
also unanimity has prevailed.
The Russians, of course, have
only one party represented.
Ii is too early to make any
worthwhile guess Of the political
or personal results of the
gathering. Vandenberg has i'm
pressed newsmen with the way
he has handled his press con-
ferences. and if the results here
are carried through he no doubt
will assume leadership in the
Republican party. He went into
this venture strictly on his own
and not as party representa-
tive. But l suspect there is a
good chance the party will Join
in with him If final accomplish
ments OF the conference justify.
MINNESOTA'S ex- governor
AV1 Stassen. on the other hand,
has not been able TO win VIC
tories for his former one world
viewpoint. which. indeed was
made impossible by events long
before this conference. He gives
you the impression of sincere
man. but he is here gaining his
first real experience in the in
volved problems Of foreign
affairs.
incidentally. in this connec-
tion Mr. Truman gave out
through Nelson Rockefeller in
Washington the other day what
seemed to be denial OF the
rumors that State Secretary
Stettinius would he dropped
after the conference. Rockefel-
Ter said he told Mr.. Truman
Stettinius had done a great job
and the President agreed.
suspect the inside on that situa-
tion is that Mr.. Stettinius has
been put into the position where
he, as the others, will be Judged
at the White House by his
accomplishments.
QUT returning 10 the nine
- points. there seemed TO be
one omission. AS a newspaper
man I have long thought the
necessities OF a free press were
the very cornerstone of liberty
and without that cornerstone
no sound structure could be
erected. How are people to be
free il they are not permitted to
know what is going on in the
world?
The idea of freedom of press
Is in the Atlantic Charter in
theory but not specifically men
toned. In the ninth point, the
cultural detectives (which China
inspired the prospect for il is
supposed now TO be included
more directly.
But actually freedom of press
Is essential 10 freedom Of
thought and seems TO be less Of
a cultural" quality than basic
human right.