Evening star., 1946-10-26
NorwayCa||s
0nU.N.foProbe
Spanish Issue
More Pressure Put
On Soviet to Curb
Its Use Of Veto
BY the Associofed Press

called on the United Nations
Assembly today for action to
assist the democratic forces of
Spain" as a swelling chorus of
demands challenged Russia to
renounce her frequent use of the
veto power in the Security
Council.
Norway and Chile, first delega-
tions to speak in today's general
debate. both joined the campaign
against what some delegates have
called excessive" and "reckless"
use of the veto, although neither
favored an amendment to the U.
N. charters veto provisions.
Norwegian delegate Halvard M.
Lange, dealing at length with the
Spanish question, called for full
airing Of the controversial issue in
the assembly.
Aid for Democratic Forces.
1--WE feel" he said, that ways
and means must be found through
common action of the United Ma
tions to make every effort to assist
the democratic forces of Spain, in
their struggle to regain, without
the horrors of another civil war,
freedom and constitutional gov
ernment.
THE establishment of such a
government in Spain would mean
the elimination of a stronghold of
fascism and constant source of
international friction, and would
permit the great Spanish nation to
take its rightful place In the family
of democratic and freedom loving
nations"
Chilean Delegate Felix Nieto del
Rio, while not mentioning the Franco
regime specifically, called for the
elimination of "dictatorial" govern
ments set up by the Nazis and
Fascists. This was obviously a call
for action against Franco Spain.
The veto issue overshadows all
others and has marked the clear line
of conflict between Russia and the
western powers as initial sessions Of
the U. N. Assembly pushed through a
lengthy round of speech making
preparatory to coming to grips with
specific problems next week.
u. S. and Britain in Drive.
Both the United States and Brit
ain we're in the forefront of the
drive to persuade Russia through
moral pressure and aroused public
opinion to restrict her future use OF
the veto power to very rare cases.
But some British-American differ
ences appeared over how to get the
best results in this effort.
The British are using frontal
assault tactics. The Americans,
evidently hoping that some con-
ciliatory gestures by the Russians
yesterday might herald a change
in the Soviet attitude, reportedly
favor a less direct, more kid-gloved
approach.
Delivering Britain's policy speech
in the general debate session last
night, Philip Noel-Baker, British
chief delegate, accused Russia OF
reckless use" of the veto and said
that if it continued the Security
Council soon would be rendered
helpless to play its part in preserv-
ing world peace and security.
Dramatically, Mr.. Noel-Baker
appealed to "our Soviet colleagues"
to Join in the effort to "agree on
measures by which we can make a
new and better start" in the Sc
curity Council. Soviet Foreign Min
ister Molotov was not present at
the time, but Deputy Foreign Min
ister Vishinsky was seated In the
front row only few yards away
rom the British spokesman.
India Backs Unanimous Action.
Preceding Mr. Noel-Baker, dele
rates of Argentina and Venezuela
,dded their demands for changes IN
he Security Council voting system.
india however, spoke for the rule re-
nuiring unanimous agreement among
he councils Big Five before the
lgency can act.
Mr.. Noel-Baker also urged the
.tomic Energy Committee to get to
.ork drafting a treaty for the reg
)lation, control and safeguarding
Of atomic energy developments, and
aid the British would start at once
On this project. He insisted that
the U. N. Military Staff Committee
should also more vigorously push
It's formation of collective security
forces and plans for international
armaments control.
The prevailing opinion among dip
lomats here seems to be, however,
that until the East-West split DRAM
atized by the Veto issue is somehow
bridged the United Nations can at
BEST make but slow progress on even
those major undertakings.
A possible step in this direction
occurred yesterday in meeting OF
the Assembly's General Steering
Committee after Mr.. Vishinsky had
moved to block Assembly discussion
of the veto issue. A majority of
the IA committee members, includ-
ing the United States and Britain,
quickly spoke up in opposition.
Thereupon Mr.. Vishinsky with
drew his motion without forcing a
showdown vote as Russian repre-
sentatives frequently have in such
circumstances.
Warren R. Austin, chief Amer
ican delegate, declared himself
greatly cheered by this develop
ment. To newsmen afterward he
issued a statement saying that it
was ''the best evidence" that the
United Nations system can and will