The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-06-01

ed in the stand which the U. s. delegation has taken on many of the more important issues which have arisen at the Conference - voting, trusteeships, regional secur- ity.
 There was hope that the United States would take a firm stand as the champion of all small nations, all oppressed peoples, all the col onial territories whose natives want to be free of foreign domination.
 If the United States had taken this position, it would have met op- position from the British, Russians and possibly the Dutch, French and other colonial powers But the rest of the world would have been united behind the United States, and it is entirely possible that the resulting combination would have been strong enough to make the other great powers recognize its force.
 HOW STRONG ARE WE?
 The feeling that the United States does not know it's own strength is all too prevalent among delegates from the smaller nations. Their reliance on Roosevelt, which at one time amounted to near worship, is now just memory. In it's place is much more substan- tial respect for the United States as country. This has been aug mented by the trip to San Francisco which revealed the size, and the re- sources and the unoeievably high standard of living which the Amer ican people enjoy. Now more than ever these delegates from the smaller countries would like to see the United States step out to as- sufne world leadership.
 The responsibilities which the United States would assume by such action would obviously be tremend- ous. It would put a burden of mili- tary guardianship on this country at time when the American people are sick and tired Of war
 It is doubtful if American public opinion would for long support a foreign policy calling for United States interference in the affairs ot other nations, even as a protector of the oppressed against exploita- tion. American foreign policy will never be able to run much ahead of what American public opinion will support. The idea that the Truman or any other administration could step out too far in front as a world savior, imposing democracy even where it is wanted, protecting any, body, any place, any time, is pre- posterous.
 In spite of this obvious conclusion, there is decided feeling that the policy of the U. s. delegation at the Conference has been governed too much by two motives:
 First: The desire to produce a Charter which will be politically and practically acceptable to the United States Senate when the work at San Francisco comes up for ratification
 Second: The desire to make a document which will be acceptable to Great Britain and Russia. re- gardless of how it appeals to the rest of the world This is predicted on belief that unless The Big Three can agree in principle, peace of any kind will be impossible.
 IT TAKES TIME
 It is entirely conceivable that both of these premises are way be- hind and way below foreign policy which a majority of the people of the United States are willing to support. Only due time, the close mouthed old hussy, will tell The telling will be done when the United Nations Organization is actually es- tablished ana at work, and the Uni ted States, member of that august body, takes it's seat in the general assembly to defend and extend the principles on which this country was founded and built.