Evening star., 1946-03-01
Byrnes Seen Mincinq
No Words on Russiu
Soviet Has Reason to Read and
Reread Speech, Says Writer
By David Laurence

By David Laurence
Plain talk, earnest and not bellig-
erent,, yet in every sense the most
forceful expression by the United States
Government on foreign policy since the
war, has just come from the Secretary
OF State, James F. Byrnes.
The speech is In part implicit-it
mentions no names of countries-but
1t is in part also explicit 1t mentions
our delicate relations with Russia in a
manner that cannot be misunderstood
except by those who choose to ignore
plain warnings as well as plain ex-
hortations.
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan, just back from London, made
In the Senate one Of the most remark
able speeches of our times. Mr.. Van
denberg advocated directness and can
DOR In dealing with Russian affairs.
Mr.. Byrnes, in the very same week.
answered that plea comprehensively and
effectively.
No Party Division.
There is no division between the
political parties here on foreign policy.
Mr.. Vandenberg's contribution has been
unexcelled. for it is not partisan-it is
wholly American, which means merely
that it surrenders in no sense the ideal
Ism OF the United States but calls
nevertheless for firmness as against
those who would confuse the world by
diplomatic maneuvers that seem to
produce puzzlement on every side.
Secretary Byrnes' speech has many
passages in it that ought to be read
and reread, as, for instance:
1T Is not enough for nations to de-
clare they do not want to make war.
Hitler said that. In a sense he meant
it. He wanted the world to accept the
domination of totalitarian govern
ment under his direction. He wanted
that without war if possible. He was
determined to get it with war If neces-
sary.
TO Danish war, nations must re-
frain from doing the things that lead
to war"
Then came-again speaking implic-
lily put with no doubt that he was
referring to Russian aspirations -
rather revealing promise. For decades
now 1t has been argued that the trouble
with the Versailles Treaty of 1919 was
that it did not provide for adjust
ments or changes and merely recog-
nlzed the existing state of affairs, born
OF conquest and, in some instances,
improper methods of acquiring terri
tory and resources. Mr.. Byrnes reveals
that the United States doesn't fayo>
the status quo"-the basis of thins-
as they always have been.
Simple, Direct Statement.
He added, however:
Though the status quo is not sacred
and Interchangeable, we cannot overlook
a unilateral gnawing away at the status
quo. The United Nations Charter for
bids aggression and we cannot allow
aggression to be accomplished by CO.
erclon or pressure or by subterfuges
such as political infiltration.",
Here is simple and direct statement
to Russia that the United States knows
what has been going on in Eastern Eu-
rope and in the Balkans and knows
what has been transpiring in the Far
East, where Russia, acting unilaterally-
that Is, alone and without agreement
with other powers-has stripped Man
churia of industrial equipment He
says:
mo power has a right to help itself
to alleged enemy properties in liberated
or eX-satellite countries before a repara-
ton settlement has been agreed upon by
the Allies. We have not and will not
agree to any one power deciding for
itself what it will take from these coun-
tries"
Challenging Protest
This again tells Russia that she has
been violating Allied policy not only in
Manchuria but in Europe She mas been
acting arbitrarily, but not. until Mr..
Byrnes spoke has our protest been as
direct and as challenging.
In many respects Mr.. Byrnes speech
is sensational He minces no words and
doesn't beat around the bush. Especial
ly to be noted is this passage:
We must not conduct war of nerves
to achieve strategic ends We do not
want to stumble and stagger into situa-
tions where no power intends war, but
no power will be able to avert war. -.
But in the interest of world peace
and In the interest of our common and
traditional friendship, we must make
plain that the United States intends to
defend the Charter"
Significant is the statement, too-not
oftep found in speech by a Secretary
OF State-that the armament of the
United States is to be maintained and
our military establishment is not to be
reduced below the point required to
maintain position commensurate with
sl-.1