Evening star., 1946-01-06

Harris & E1Ding Photo.
agreement to prevent a similar political
evolution" in Bulgaria.
AS for Romania, where elections have
not been held yet, the Moscow arrange
ments are a bit more comprehensive,
but can hardly be said to guarantee
really democratic government.
The three Foreign Ministers at Moscow
agreed that King Michael should be ad-
vised to include one member each Of the
National Peasant party and the Liberal
party in his Communist t-dominated in
terim regime and to pledge inself to hold
free and unfettered" elections on the
basis of secret ballot. Romania also
is to be asked to give assurances con-
corning freedom of the press, speech,
religion and association"
Three to Execute" Plan.
The Russian assistant commissar Of
foreign affairs, A. Y. Vyshinski, with
the British and American Ambassadors
in Moscow, were named as committee
to visit Bucharest and execute" this
plan. Then, after Romania has given
the required assurances" the United
States and Great Britain agree to ex-
tend it diplomatic recognition.
1t is worth noting that the recogni-
tion is to be extended merely on the
basis of assurances after the
'free and unfettered" elections have
been carried out. The record of "aSsur-
ances" and their subsequent execution
or lack of execution-in Bulgaria and
YugoSlavia is not one to inspire conf
dence in Communist-domin Balkan
governments.
The political terrorism prevailing in
the Balkans today is far cry from the
democratic liberalism envisaged at
Yalta. And the United States has shown
little Willingness to oppose Russian plans
and ambitions in that area.
1t is perhaps significant that the State
Department has announced that it will
not make public the report on political
conditions in Romania and Bulgaria
prepared at Mr.. Byrnes' request by Mark
Etheridge, Louisville publisher.
In a speech in his home town this
week, Mr.. Etheridge indicated clearly
that he did not find democratic condi-
tions in either country. AS to Bulgaria,
he observed that he didn't think the
recent elections "signified anything be-
cause of the way they were held and
because of the atmosphere in which
they were held" He added also that
the Russian government disagreed with
my conclusions"
AS for Japan, no particular question
of political liberalism is involved in our
concessions to the Russian point of view
But it is worth noting that, on the basis
of the record, this Government has re-
treated from the position it first took
last September when at the London
Conference of Foreign Ministers Russia
raised the question of sharing the con-
troll of Japan.
Russia Was Inactive.
1t will be recalled that as long as
last August %, the United States pro-
posed that the nations with interests in
the Far East who had been at war with
Japan should create a Far Eastern ad-
viSory commission to consult on the
administration of former enemy terri.
tory. Russia, according to the State
Department., assented to establishment
of the commission, but took no part In
it's sessions.
At London, Foreign Commissar Molo-
tov of Russia revealed that his country
wanted more than an advisory posi-
tion-that it wanted an actual share in
the control of Japan. This ran squarely
against White House statement OF
September %, which had said in nc
uncertain terms
Although every effort will be made
by consultation and by constitution OF
appropriate advisory bodies, to estab-
lish policies for the conduct of the
occupation and the control of Japan
which will satisfy the principal Allied
powers, in the eUent of any difference
OF opinion among them, the policies oj
the United States 1Dill govern."
On October 10 Mr.. Byrnes amplified
the White House statement by the
further assertion, before a press con-
ference, that he did not believe the
proposal for a control commission was
a wise one. He pointed out that this
| Government had assured Japan that il
would be administered through direc-
| tives issued by Gen. Macarthur and
that the basis of control could not be
changed without violating these assur-
ances.
Russia Wins Policy Role.
Moreover, certain Senators who talked
with the Secretary of State shortly
before his departure for Moscow gained
the clear impression that while he was
quite willing to accept Russia as ar
adviser on policy in Japan, he woule
continue to oppose its acting in a gov.
erning role.
That section of the Moscow communi.
| que dealing with Japan is complex ane
obtuse in some of its sections, but there
is no doubt that it assigns to Russia {
policy determining role with regard tt
major issues.
The real delegation of power to coun
tries other than the United States lie
in paragraph of section of the agree
ment on Japan. After providing tina
Washington may issue interim direc