Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-11
UNO Seat in u. S.
Urged by Observer
Points to Freedom of Press as Bar
to Power Politics
By David Laurence

| oiHtS ~ Ii SCdOIu VI IeSS dS OAR
to Power Politics
By David Laurence
The United States has always been
and always will be the logical country
to house the headquarters Of an inter-
national organization to preserve peace.
But for some strange reason there has
been circulated here and in London In
the last few weeks propaganda designed
to place the headquarters in some Euro
pean country.
The propaganda is not openly in favor
Of any large country in Europe but the
emphasis usually is on the small coun-
try. The line of argument, curiously
enough, insists that If the United Ma
tons Organization is located in Amer
lea, it will be Influenced too much
by American publicity and American
politics.
This type of comment then proceeds
TO urge that some small country in
Europe be chosen so that the organiza-
ton will not appear to be dominated"
by any nation.
No more unrealistic statement of the
problem could be made For every one
VINO has the slightest familiarity with
international affairs knows that no ma
ZION hesltates to speak frankly through
us delegates no matter where the inter-
national conference is held. If any,
thing, the host country is under the
special obligation to refrain from doing
anything that could be construed as
exercising undue influence.
The Only Argument.
There is one argument-and it is tho
only argument-for locating the United
NATIONS Organization in America. Euro
pean governments have always been in
terested in world problems but the peo-
pie OF the United States have been only
internationally interested. If the United
NATIONS Organization is to succeed, it
must have the searchlight of full pub
licity playing on it all the time, so that
American public opinion will be con-
stantly informed and ready to play its
part in influencing settlements that
mean peace
The American press is the freest in
the whole world. Here in the United
States newspapers, radio and press as
soclatlons actually gather and distrib-
ute more news about what is happening
In the world and publish more today
than does the press of any other coun-
try. Likewise, the American press is
less influenced by its own Governments
policy even in foreign affairs than is
the British or the French or the Russian
press. The one way to make sure that
the truth Is getting out to the peoples
OF the world is to let the American pub
nclty system operate to its maximum,
Just as it did in San Francisco.
Ihls correspondent was at the Paris
Peace Conference and has observed the
workings Of other international con-
lerences since that time European
governments still feel that the press
must directly or indirectly follow the
pattern set forth by the professional
diplomats. 1t was the American press
winch made vigorous, though unsuc-
cessful flight for full publicity at the
/ Parls Peace Conference, and the posi-
ton has never been abated since.
| Blow to Power Politics.
| If the United Nations selects a site
IN the United States, it will be a death
oloW to some of the devotees of power
politics who like to play shrewd inter-
national games and pursue secret ma
neuVers behind the scenes. The Ameri-
can government, with its professional
diplomats, has at times catered to the
same point Of view. There will be less
ehance OF diplomatic secrecy producing
international complications if Ameri-
can public opinion is fully informed.
Russia Is suspicious of other countries
and her suspicious will not be dinin-
lsned If the United Nations headouar-
ters Is put in the atmosphere of Euro
pean rlValrles and imperialisms. The
Russians know because of their expert
ence at San Francisco that an inter
national conference held in America
gives them the fullest opportunity to
present their views to the press of this
country. The Russian support for the
selection of an American city is not
without significance.
AS for the exact location inside the
united States, this is secondary mat
Ter. The primary task is to insure the
continued interest of the American peo-
pie IN the UNO. This cannot be accom-
phshed by removing the seat of the new
| organization to some small country in
europe where secrecy will have the
maximum opportunity and the doctrine
OF open covenants openly arrived at"
can be so easily ignored because of the
handlcaps of communications and thu
femoteness from the American people.
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