The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-30

WhiStling in the dark.
 Soviet reaction to this weeks his- toric event which saw the Soviet representative stalk out of the Coun- ell chamber because his request for delay on the Iranian case was not granted still caused uneasiness.
 After yesterdays Council meeting at which delegates and spectators had their first chance to litter, even nervously this week-Sovlet circles reacted gloomily,
 Indicate UnfrlendllnesS
 These Soviet circles described the Council Rction--taken In Russia's absence-as liar from friendly"
 Earlier Moscow dispatches coming through Russian censorship charged that the Councils decision to pros eeed with the Tranian hearing with. out Russia was "a gesture of hos" tility to the Soviet Union"
 Soviet circles also were extremely critical of ByrneS who led the op- position to Russia's postponement motion and proposed the formula" adopted late yesterday, They said Soviet opinion that Byrnes was not interested in an early Soviet-Iranian agreement was being gradually strengthened,
 Their reaction tended to confirm that unless there is e radical change in Soviet policy on the Iranian issue before next Wednesday the UNO Security Council Is headed for Q rebuff as damaging as Russia's 8 walkout.
 To Move On
 In such an event, the assumption Is that the Council would decide to 30 ahead and let Iran lay bare her charges against Russia in detail-- with Russia'S chair still vacant.
 But c change in Russian policy Is not ruled out as Q possibility, Am. erica's new ambassador to Russia, Lt.-Gen, Walter Berell Smith, has arrived in Moscow and Is complete. ly briefed" on the Iranian contro- versy. If he sees Stalin before We'd nesday he is certain to outline the importance the U. s. attachs to the controversy which has cracked UNO wide open during It's first week In the new world,
 Smith also will do his best to dis abuse the Russians of the idea that Byrnes policy in the Iranian case was in any way unfriendly or hos tile to Russia. Rather, he will try to prove to Stalin, that 1t was de- signed to preserve the UNO.
 TIe new test of UNO's prestige will come Wednesday morning when the Council conveneS-with or with out Q reply from Stalin to It's urgent message requesting information about the Soviet -Iranian negotia- tions, especially whether there are any strings attached to Russia's promise to withdraw its troops from Iran.
 The United States and Great Bri- tain have been asking the Soviet government comparable questions for nearly a month-ever since Rus sia violated a tripartite treaty by keeping troops in Iran after March 2 But those sovereign nations partners with Russia in the war and postwar big five coalition have hay, received zee ed no replies to their
 will UNO's note share the same fate?
 Or will Stalin answer the major organ of U!N.O.-the organization which he described only a week ago as serious instrument" for pre- serving peace?
 These are the questions upper most in the minds of weekending delegates because:
 l. If Stalin doesn't answer
 U.N.O., it's prestige will sink
 even lower than the Russian
 walkout on the Eanian case has
 plunged 1t.
 2. If Stalin does answer, and
 gives the assurances implicitly
 asked for by U.N.O., the prestige
 of JUNO. should soar to new
 heights. It will demonstrate the
 power of the Council when it
 mobilizes an informed public
 opinion-even against major
 power.
 Same Appeal Made
 The Council has directed the same appeal to both Stalin and Premier Ahmed Ghavam ES-Sul- taneh of Iran. But the only queS- ton mark about an answer is Mos- COW. The Iranian delegation here expected Ghavam to reply by Mon- day. The Russian consulate con- firmed receipt of the UN.O. note but could not say whether it had been dispatched to Moscow.
 The climax in the week-long bat- tie over Iran came late yesterday after two secret meetings of the Council members when Byrnes pros posed that U.NO. Secretary Gen" eral Trygve Lie be directed to 'aS- certain at once" from the Soviet and Iranian governments through their U.N.O. representatives:
 "The existing status Of negotia- tions between the new governments.
 And particularly to ascertain. . whether or not the reported with- drawal of (Russian) troops is cons ditional upon the conclusion of agreements between the two govern ments."
 Unanimously Adopted
 Byrnes' formula was unanimous ly adopted after Iranian Ambassa" dor Husseln Ala appealed to the Council to obtain official assurances from Russia that her troops would be withdrawn internationally and asserted he had no information Of any kind that any Soviet troops have left Iran.
 Within two hours Lie had u.N.O.k requests at the Soviet and ITAnian headquarters. and the Council nem- hAra aakllan down in A faufsdaY