Evening star., 1946-09-25
| StoIin's S Word Viewed
In Light of Deeds
Past Promises of Soviet Leader
Are Recalled by Observer
ByDavid Laurence

Dp DHpfd Laurence
Deeds are more important than words
in international relations and especially
where Russia and the United States are
concerned. Speeches and interviews de-
claring against third world war have
been made repeatedly on both sides, but
1t is far more realistic to examine from
time to time the actual state of negotia-
tions between the two nations
Friction exists over Korea and Man.
churia and Allied policies in the Far
East. Friction exists over what is hap
pening inside Austria and in the Balkans
as we'll as in Poland. Friction exists over
the future of Trieste The biggest single
piece Of discord Is in respect to the
economic unity of Germany, the Russian
attitude being regarded by the Ameri-
can Government as in violation of the
spirit as we'll as the letter of the Pots
dam Agreement
Generalissimo Stain has made pacific
utterances before. If his latest pro-
nouncement results in change of atti-
tude of his spokesmen at Paris and
before the United Nations conferences in
New York, the world will indeed breathe
easier.
Statements Timing Important.
The Stain statement is important
mostly because of its timing. It will be
recalled that the tactics of making a
soothing or pacific statement at
psychological moment has in the past
been utilized by various dictators to ease
a crisis. During the disarmament con-
ference in London in 1885, Hitler made
statement concerning Germany's
peaceful purposes which was accepted
by our own Government as a prediction
OF future peace, and psychologically it
was one of the factors which caused the
United States and Britain to hesitate
IN constituting realistically Japan's an
nouncement of her unwillingness to be
bound any further by the naval arma-
ment limitations previously existing.
Hence, words and speeches will be
considered meaningless unless a change
OF attitude is manifest in the diplomacy
OF Russia throughout the world. The
interview IN which Stain expressed
himself on the atomic bomb is full of
significance. His first comment was that
there is no threat to world peace in the
monopolistic possession of the bomb
which must be a considerable surprise
to American left-wingers, who call the
monopoly threat to Russia. Stain
adds that this monopoly will not last
very long anyway. This means that
Russia expects to get the secret eventu-
ally. but II perchance Russia doesn't,
then Stain says there need be no fear
because "the use Of the bomb will be
prohibited"
United States Placed "Op Spot-
This is but another way of saying
that If Russia doesn't get the bomb se-
cret. why, the United States, of course,
wouldn't think Of using it. America, If
signatory to a treaty prohibiting the
use Of the atomic bomb, can be relied
upon to keep treaty pledge. The
other nations which do not possess the
bomb will not be put to that test.
The Stain interview has made
profound impression here.
Former Secretary of Commerce WAL
lace is quick to say that this and the
Eden interview indicate that progress
is being made toward an understand
ing, and that the stirring up Of the
question by him was not without con-
structive results. Actually the Russian
American differences have been coming
to climax for long time and It was
the firm policy Of the United States
and the dismissal from the cabinet of
a member with "appeasement" views
which gave Russia an unequivocal and
unmistakable definition of American
policy.
1t might possibly be that the FIRST
results of the firm American policy are
beginning to be manifest and that,
since America could not be divided or
budged from previous positions taken
by Secretary Byrnes, the Russian group
in Moscow has decided that perhaps
the situation has been allowed to dis
integrate too far and that a restora-
ton Of better relations, at least in the
immediate future, is highly desirable.
Knows Publicity Value.
Heretofore, these crises have been
handled through personal visits to Mos
COW by the American Secretary of State,
but since this isn't happening now, the
head of the Soviet government finds it
more convenient to make q statement
which he knows will be printed
throughout the world and will tend to
ease tension.
The Stain statement will be followed
by equally pacific and friendly state
ments from this capital, but what will
be more important Is to examine the
progress made in Paris in the next sew
eral weeks. This will furnish a clue to
the true value of the Stain utterance.
Reproduction Rhhts Reserved)
n:EC>>.->