Evening star., 1946-03-25
Russiu Feels Influence
OfU.S. Foreign Policy
World Witnessing Dramatic Show
OF Power of Moral Force
By DavM Laurence

by Davfd Laurence
The world Is witnessing a dramatic
demonstration of, the power of moral
force in international affairs. Without
brandishing the sword and without seek
ing to coerce other nations, the United
States, backed by the moral power Of
Great Britain, is using to the fullest
the instruments of publicity and debate
to influence the course of Russia
Those who have despaired about the
United Nations Charter and its weak,
nesses can take renewed inspiration and
recover their faith. For only the fact
that a recalcitrant nation, large orr
small, can be brought to the bar Of
world opinion is influencing Russia to-
day to modify procedures and remove
from the scene the ominous implica-o
tons of her previous behavior.
The news from Russian sources Is
fragmentary but, pieced together, it is
meaningful. Thus Russia has ordered
substantial demobilization of her armies.
Russia is allowing her people to listen
to broadcasts from Britain in the Rus
sian language.
ITOCldluS O4No.
Russia, through Marshal Stain him.
self, is proclaiming faith in the United
Nations and is denouncing the groups
that talk war
Russia is eager to prevent condemna-
ton such as might come through an
open debate in the Security Council.
! The very fact that Russia wanted the
hearing on Iran postponed is sign
! that she did not relish the unfavor-
able publicity which her course brought
her in recent weeks
Russia has just sent her ambassad dor
TO the Department of State to express
gratitude that America is joining in no
alliances
Russia also instructed her ambassa-
dor to call on President Truman in the
last few days. Every move made has
been designed to remove tension.
Does this mean that Russia, in the
first instance, was stretching her poll
cies to gain her ends, hoping that she
would not be questioned or challenged?
Does it mean that Russia saw only the
British as the real barrier to the full
flllment of imperialistic aims in the
Mediterranean and that Russia hoped
the United States would not take sides
at least not for the present-until
Russia could clarity her position?
1t begins to look as if Winston
Churchill did for Great Britain a yee-
man service during his visit to the
United States. Despite the denuncia-
tions of him for his proposal of a close
working arrangement between the
United States and Great Britain and de-
spite the criticism heaped on him by
Moscow, the former Prime Minister said =
the right thing at the right moment for
his country and checkmated what might
have been an unfortunate episode in the
Near East.
Speech Aroused Nation.
If Mr.. Churchill had not made his
Fulton speech, it is probable that the
American people would never have been
aroused to the meaning of the current
crisis 1t is probable also that without
the Churchill utterance, the Russian
diplomatists would have been encour-
aged to take further chances in their
maneuvers in the Near East, thinking
the United States would play only a
passive role.
Secretary Byrnes, of course, tactfully
disclaims any intention of making any
alliances-and in this he is on solid
ground, for he speaks the views of his
illustrious predecessor, Cordell Hull
but at the same time nobody can deny
that the former Prime Minister said
something very pointed when he ex-
pressed the significant hope America
! would not be found joining up with
( Britain a third time after war had
broken out instead of before
! The Churchill thesis is one that cam
+ not be weighed only by what he said in
his address in this country 1t is in the
main the thesis held by many Ameri-
cans-namely, that it is better for
America to express herself on world
matters in advance rather than to lead
any European state to think the United
States will be Indifferent Germany
might never have precipiated either of
the world wars if there had been def
mite assurance of Americas great power
being thrown into the scales to prevent
a world war.
The United States now has joined a
world organization. There can be no
doubt of our participation in European
affairs any longer, if disputes appear
to be such as might threaten world
peace. America need not flaunt any
military or naval power. She need only
express herself freely in the court of
! public opinion-and that nations will
respect her position and be guided acl
cordingly. Such is the influence of
American moral power throughout the
world today ''