Evening star., 1945-01-25
Allies Seen Informed
On y. S. Peoce Views
Paper Analysing Public Opinion
Believed Sent to London, Moscow
By David Laurence


Believed Sent to London, Moscow
By DaDid Laurence
There is every indication that the
United States Government has sent
through diplomatic channels to both
the governments of Russia and Great
Britain an informal memorandum
analyzing American public opinion with
respect to inter-Allied problems Of
major Importance.
This memorandum doubtless was de-
signed as q preliminary paper to be
studied by the big Three" and their
associates, SO that President Roosevelt
would not find it necessary to say orally
much OF what has been crystallized In
the last few weeks as the American
viewpoint.
1t would appear that the Resident
has been strengthened In his s.esermina-
ton to get an inter-Allied agreement on
so-called political problems affecting
the liberated countries. He can point
not only to Democratic party support,
but also the backing of the Republicans
led by Senator Vandenberg.
Senators Declaration.
On top OF this comes the declaration
now Of the is new Senators, both Re-
publicans and Democrats, which out
lines views closely approximating Amer
lean criticism of recent action by Britain
and Russia.
What is perhaps not understood In
either London or Moscow Is that the
American people are not trying to pass
Judgment on such complicated uues-
tions as the Curzon boundary line In
Poland or the composition of the Greek
or Italian governments. 1t may actually
turn out that the Curzon line is best for
all concerned or that some other Polish
boundary is better, but when the Amer
ican people see any one of the Allies
deciding things for itself there is bound
to be an unfayorable reaction.
Likewise intimations are published In
dispatches from abroad that the Amer
ican Government was kept constantly
informed. The inference is permitted
that because Washington knew of such
developments, 1t necessarily acquiesced
when it did not interpose objections.
There seems to have been an impress
sion abroad that the United States Gov
ernment had no real right to interpose
its views on so-called European settle
ments or spheres of influence" and
that our interest was to be incidental
or secondary.
This is not an accurate appraisal of
the American Governments position.
which is rather that unilateral action
should be dispensed with altogether and
that whatever action Is taken in Greece
or italy or Yugoslavia or Poland by any
Allied power should be based on inter-
Allied judgment and directives.
Some European government officials
among the Allies have been constant
ly arguing that they didn't know what
the nature of American participation
IN worldwide organization to pre-
serve peace would be and that natural
ly Independent arrangements or plans
had to be made on the assumption
that America might refrain from join
ing the new League of Nations as it
did the old League.
British Skepticism.
This, however, is more of an excuse
than an explanation. A favorite COM
ment among the British, for instance,
Is that they can't depend on what our
Senate might do. Before the last elec-
ton they might have been Justified
In small measure of doubt, though
the passage Of the Fullbright- Connally
resolution should have dispelled even
that.
Since the November election, how
ever, there has been such prepon-
derance Of sentiment on Capitol Hill
behind the idea of American participa-
ton IN an international organization
TO preserve peace that any skepticism
would seem to have been without basis
Senator Vandenbergs speech was the
clinching piece of evidence that the
Republican party's previous positions
in matters of international policy nc
longer could be used as an excuse te
justify one-sided or single-handed &C.
tons by any Allied power.
Mr.. Roosevelt acted wisely in sub.
mitting a memorandum in advance. A.
described in London dispatches derived
from information furnished by Ameri.
can spokesmen, it certainly carries out
the wishes of the American people ex.
pressed In the press and In the public
utterances Of prominent individuals ir-
respective of party. The recent criticism
voiced hereabouts has cleared the air
and given Russia and Britain every
reason to expect America to share
actively in the responsibility for pre-
serving peace.
Maybe that's what they had In mind
all along in taking action unilaterally
so as to compel this very clearing OF
the air and concrete definition OF
principle and policy by the United
States
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