Evening star., 1945-08-27
A TOUGHER Policy


made possible a greater freedom Of
action in the diplomatic field, this
Government plainly intends to pur-
sue tougher policy in its relations
with countries which pay lip serv-
ice, and nothing more, to the prin-
ciples of democracy.
The latest example is to be found
in the resignation of Nelson A.
Rockefeller as Assistant Secretary
of State and the designation of
Spruille Braden, our Ambassador to
Argentina, as his successor. Last
week Mr.. Rockefeller made a speech
denouncing the Argentine govern
ment. But there were many who
felt that he had been too tolerant
Of the Peron regime, and Secretary
of State Byrnes, in announcing the
change in his department., took
pains to emphasize that the promo
ton of Mr.. Braden was to be re-
garded as an Endorsement of his
aggressive attitude toward the mill
tary clique now governing Argentina.
There have been other straws
bending in the same direction. A
few days ago the President made it
clear that this Government is op-
posed to the Spanish regime headed
by Generalissimo Franco. In con-
junction with the British, we sue
ceeded in bringing to bear enough
pressure to force a postponement of
elections scheduled to be held yes
terday in Bulgaria, the objection be-
Ing that the arrangements for them
were not sufficiently democratic in
character. We have indicated our
Willingness to intercede in behalf of
democratic elements in Rumania.
And finally, after two talks with the
President, General de Gaulle has
aligned himself rather definitely
with the western powers in their
efforts to achieve what they regard
as better political balance in East
ern Europe.
There is but one reasonable in
ference to be drawn from these
developments, and that is that the
United States, in keeping with its
role as a great power, intends to use
Its influence to the utmost in an
effort to bring out of this war new
world in which our concepts Of
democracy will prevail to the great
est possible extent. A hint of this
is to be found in Mr.. Byrnes' an
nouncement of the promotion of
Mr.. Braden. His advancement, Mr..
ByrneS said, "is particularly
recognition of his accurate inter-
probation of the policies of this
Government in its relations with
the present government of the Ar
gentine." How has Mr.. Braden in
terpreted the policies of this Gov
ernment with respect to Argentina?
In a speech at Buenos Aires on
August II he said: mo longer can
self-respecting world standing for
the rights of man under democracy
accept government that rules
through violence and humiliates
man under dictatorship. This
is the day for democracy. But our
task lies ahead-the implementa-
ton of free governments through
out the world"
Mr.. Byrnes has said that this is
an accurate" Interpretation of our
policy toward Argentina. But is
this policy confined to Argentina, or
does our recent attitude toward
Bulgaria, for instance, mean that
the policy has wider application?
The government in Russia is die
tatorship, as much, or more so,
than in Argentina Manifestly,
however, we will not attempt, by
diplomatic or economic pressure, to
force a change in the Russian sys-
tenn of government. But in pur-
suing our policy with respect to
other governments we must be
careful that we do not forge, or
appear to forge, a coalition OF
western states ideologically in con-
flict with Russia and seemingly
designed to isolate the Soviet die