Evening star., 1946-07-16
Realistic Attitudes
Mentioned as Gains
In Big -Four Talks
By Leland Stowe
S'VWS
Spee,al Correspondence Of The Star

end tne most experienced observers
here, official and otherwise, have
been weighing this question. First
they look back to PotSdam's parley
and review the II months of arduous
negotiations which have transpired
since then. From PotSdam last July
to Paris this July has been a long,
tough and frequently discouraging
road. But those prudent special
lists who take the long view feel thai
the trend is slowly upward. They
chalk up this Paris council meeting
as a considerable gain.
Most obvious. of course, are the
shaping of an international status
for Trieste and the winning of So
Wet consent to the calling of q 81
nation conference within three
weeks. Behind these progressive
steps, however, lies another con-
structive factor of much wider po-
tentlal Importance Those who take
the long view are convinced that
this past year of plainspeaking
diplomatic exchanges has created
much more realistic attitudes be-
tween Soviet, British and American
pollcymakers.
Greater Respect for Views.
This is especially true in regard
to Russian and American repre-
sentatives. Secretary Byrnes and
his advisers have learned a great
deal about Russian mentality and
tactics, and Foreign Minister Molo-
tov and the Kremlin have learned
that there are issues and principles
on which the Americans know how
to be uncompromisingl firm. Be
tween Americans and Russians the
cropping and punching in the dark
which characterized the disastrous
London Council Of last September
has been gradually replaced by a
greater understanding of methods,
and by definitely increased respect
for the others viewpoint and ability
If the Russians have not become
eaSier to deal with. American dele
gates at least have become much
more accustomed to intermittent,
brusque surprises. This holds equal
ly for the British and the French
In this past year it appears that
both Russians and Westerners have
got down pretty we'll to a rockbottom
basis, where they comprehend clear
ly that every compromise and every
important step toward peace must
be fought for with persistence-that
there Is no royal road to co-opera-
ton.
One year ago Mr.. Byrnes in ex-
perience was an amateur in lnterna
tlonal politics. When he left Paris
on Saturday, Mr.. Byrnes was truly
Secretary of State. Most foreign
delegates recognize quite as clearly
today as the Americans here recog-
nize with virtual unanimity that
Secretary Byrnes has grown in
stature notably during the last II
months. He has broadened He has
become much surer of himself. He
has won increasing respect through
his deeper knowledge and sharper
perceptions, and equally so through
his patience and tenacity.
q. s. Team More Effective.
Along with his own development,
Mr. Byrnes has built up an Amer
lcan team of delegates and advisers
which Is far more effective than
anything existing one year ago. Like
Mr.. Byrnes himself, these officials,
are now tempered by experience
They have learned good deal about
negotlating with the Soviets. They
also have learned to concentrate on
making one brick at time. So far
as Americas contribution toward the !
long peace building job ahead is
concerned, these are clearly encour- |
aging advances over the situation
when Potsdam adjourned last July. |
In the realm of ajor Soviet poll
cies. the Paris Council just ad-
journed brought certain interesting
revelations or combinations ,
Through Mr.. Molotovs frank dec |
laration faVoring united Germany, !
it was confirmed that Moscow at
taches very great Importance to the
amount of reparations which Russia ,
may collect from Germany. BY re-
jecting the French claim for Ruhr
detached from Germany, the Soviets
indicated plainly that they want a
portion of Ruhr industrial products
placed in their reparations account.
Allied delegates who are best &C
quainted with the Soviet Union at
tach particular significance to these
developments. In their opinion the
Soviets' economic needs are now
rating a No. l priority and appar-
entity SurpaSs considerably their |
political interests in Germany. In
stead of a policy of stripping Ger
many industrially, Moscow now ap- |
pears to have reversed itself. laying |
greater stress on restoring German
production. That would mean put
ting Germany to work on a much
larger scale in order to aid Soviet
postwar reconstruction through rep
arations-in machinery and other
products. Thus the Russians newly
accentuated interest in German rep
arations promises long-term roper
cussions, and points toward an early
beginning of very knotty lnterna-
tional negotiations.
In regard to Austria 1t became ap-
parent at this Council session that
the Soviets desire to keep their large
armed forces inside that country as /
long as possible This at least is the
Anglo o-American conclusion. So the
Austrian problem, like the German
problem, remains to be confronted
and can only be solved after pro-
tracted efforts.
But this past month of Paris ne
sotiations did result in progress.
The dividends of patience and per-
slstent consultation have not been
startling. Nevertheless they are
considerable. The achievement from
Potsdam to Paris has resulted in
laying the first painful foundation
stones. In the minds of most OBJ
servers here, the sum total OF the
past II months gives more reason
for moderate hope for future Big
Four negotiations than they had
dared to expect some six months
ago.
Copyright. 1a46. New York Post Corp. !