Evening star., 1946-02-27

nounced that, upon their own re-
sponsibility, they would voluntarily
abstain.
Amendment Voted Down.
Vishinskys amendment was voted
down with only its author on Its
side. The American resolution was
then given the seven affirmative
votes required by the Charter. The
chairman announced that it was
carried. But he was wrong. The
Charter also required that these
seven votes had to include the con-
curing votes of the permanent
members of the Council. This is
the famous veto Of which so much
has been heard. Vishinsky prompt
ly challenged the chairman's an
nouncement. He was wholly within
his rights-as, indeed, he was from
start to finish. The resolution was
lost by "veto." That left little Leb-
anon and little Syria Just where
they started. But then came the
thrilling climax. Bevin for Britain
and Bidault for France magnificent
ly asserted that they would volun-
tarily accept the terms, of the reso-
luton and abide its terms precisely
as though it were the law of the
Council. Put that high up on the
credit ledger!
I confess that I was proud Of
Western democracy that night! And
the life OF the United Nations took
on new assurance and new ex-
pectancy, in the pattern of their
attitudes. On the other hand,
trust I am not unfair in also con-
Tossing that it seemed to me the
distinguished Soviet delegate-one
of the ablest statesmen I have ever
seen in action-seemed to be less
interested in helping Lebanon and
Syria than he was in batting France
and Britain-less interested in
peace at this point than he was in
friction. I am certain it posed the
same question in all our minds
which 1 am now finding almost
every day, in one form or another,
in every newspaper read-"What
Is Russia Up to Now?" 1t is, of
course, the supreme conundrum of
our time We ask 1t in Manchuria.
We ask it in Eastern Europe and
the Dardanelles. We ask it in Italy
where Russia, speaking for Yugo-
slavia, has already initiated atten-
tion to the Polish legions. We ask
1t in Iran. We ask 1t in Tripoli-
tania. We ask it in the Baltic and
the Balkans We ask it in Poland.
We ask 1t in the capital of Canada.
We ask it in Japan. We ask 1t
sometimes even in connection with
events in our own United States.
What is Russia up to now?" 1t
Is little wonder that we asked 1t at
London. 1t is less wonder that the
London and everywhere
else-has a vital bearing on the
destiny Of the United Nations.
Rival Ideologies.
1t would be entirely futile to blink
the fact that two great, rival
ideologies-democracy in the West
and Communism in the East-here
find themselves face to face with
the desperate need for mutual
understanding in finding common
upon which to strive for
peace for both. In the final analysis
this means that the two greatest
spokesmen for these rival ideologies
Soviet Russia and the United
States-find themselves face to face
with this same need for mutual
understanding. both in and out of
the United Nations. Indeed, If this
does not oversimplify the problem,
it might even be said that the
future of the United Nations is
wrapped up in this equation 81.
II this be SO. I assert my own
belief that we can live together in
harmony if the United
States speaks as plainly upon all
as Russia does; II the
United States just as vigorously
sustains its own purposes and its
Ideals upon all occasions as Russia
does; If We abandon the miserable
fiction, often encouraged by our own
fellow travellers, that we somehow
jeopardize the peace If our candor
Is as firm as Russia's always is: and
Il We assume a moral leadership
which we have too frequently
allowed to lapse. The situation calls
Tor patience and good will; but not
Tor vacillation.
Let me make it wholly clear that
do not complain because Russia
'peaks-indeed, Mr.. Vishinsky prob
sbly spoke in this Security Council
more than the Spokesmen of all
oher powers combined. l am glad
she speaks She ought to speak.
That is what this forum is for. But
t is for others, too-just as Mr..
5evin used it upon more than one
eloquent and courageous. occasion
It is, I repeat. for others, too. All
should feel an equal freedom, an
'qual duty and an equivalent re-
possibility. The governments of the
world suddenly find themselves in
he presence of a new technique in
International relations. It is in this
Drum OF the United Nations where
he most dominant of all debates
and decisions are now calculated
% occur. 1t would be impossible
@ overemphasize the importance of
'ur own role and our own perform
ance in such epochal events, and
he need for positive foreign policies
rs our consistent guide.
Agrees with Gen. Smith.
Speaking in New York last week
1t a celebration in honor of the
great Red Army which Marshal
Stain certifies will be kept at a |
peak. our new American
Observation-Disclosures to Moscow
Lieut.. Gen. Walter Bedell Smith
aid, 1T is imperative that our ma
lonal temperature remain at nor
nal. agree. He said that both |
1atlons want nothing so much as
'eace and security" I not onlv
agree; but, in addition. if what still
'others Russia is really a security
ear against resurgent aggression, !
would renew my offer of one wear