Evening star., 1946-01-30
Suggests New Pact
As Result of YuItu
Conference Was Major Tragedy
for u. S., Writer Contends

~ sNSSNbN VI 0Ike
Conference Was Major Tragedy
for u. S., Writer Contends
By David Laurence
Now 1t comes out that there was an
important secret agreement made at
Yalta and that 1t was a direct violation
OF the pledges in the Atlantic Charter,
namely, that none of the belligerents
would seek territorial agsrandizement.
Russia early in 1945, 1t is officially
disclosed, demanded and got as her
price for entering the war against Japan
permanent possession Of the Kurile
Islands and Southern Sakhalin Island.
This Is annexation in every sense Of
the word and should dispose for all
time OF the bubbles Of those observers
here who have been saying America Is
not entitled to retain the islands she
won in the Pacific. The United States
can and should retain not only the
Marianas but Okinawa as well. This is
imperative In view Of Russias acuuisi-
tions.
Up to now the cry has gone up that
the United States must submit her
claims to the United Nations and agree
to trusteeship or international con-
troll over the Pacific islands. But will
Russia do 1t? If Russia insists on as
serting sovereignty over the territory,
this completely erases any international
obligation Of the United States Govern
ment to give up any claims to Pacific
islands If America wishes to give I'D
such islands in the future, 1t should he
voluntary action in no way to be re-
lated to the United Nations machinery.
military" Matter.
1t Is most unfortunate that the deal
was made by the late President Roose-
velt. Possibly he felt it was necessary
IN order to bribe the Russian Govern
ment into entering the war on the side
OF the Allies. It is significant that, at
the time. the press of the whole world
was told that all agreements had been
made public and that nothing was be-
ing withheld except some military mat
tiers. 1t turns out that the reason for
secrecy was because the pledge to give
permanent possession of japanese terri
tory to the Russians was related to
Russia's future entry into the war and
this was considered a military" matter.
When this correspondent criticized
the Yalta Conference about year ago
and denounced the personal diplomacy
method and said that the United States
should not and could not make any
commitments without the consent of
the United States Senate in relation to
peace treaties and settlements growing
out OF this war, there were. few who
agreed. 1t was insisted instead that the
important thing achieved at Yalta was
unity" and that dissenters were rock
ing the boat.
But the facts have come out at last
and they prove that the Yalta Confer
ence was for the United States q major
tragedy. Mr.. Roosevelt was tired man.
Even his closest adviser-James r.
Byrnes-who went with him to Yalta
now reveals that he didn't know Mr..
Roosevelt had made the secret agree
ment until last summer after Japan
surrendered.
1t seems passing strange that Presi-
dent Truman and Secretary Byrnes did
not have all the facts about our Gov
ernments agreements until such late
date. But, as a practical matter, 1t
would have been of little value because
Marshal Stain doubtless feels he has
right to hold the American Govern
ment to its pledge even after change
in administration.
Precedent for Senate.
1t will be recalled, on the other hand,
that MIR. Roosevelt significantly told a
joint session of Congress on his return
from Yalta that the other governments
were well aware, of the American con-
stitutional requirements which made
the President only one part of the inter-
national machinery for treaty making.
This could be construed now as mean
ing that Mr.. Roosevelt agreed only in
behalf Of the executive branch of the
Government and that the Senate Is not
bound thereby. But actually would the
Senate now venture to repudiate the
agreement Mr.. Roosevelt made? Once
before, of course, when the Versailles
Treaty was before the Senate. the sig
nature of an American President was
repudiated. So there is precedent for
such action.
AS matter of realism. however, the
Russians are today in full possession of
the territory in question and hence 1t
appears unlikely that the United States
could ask for a REIMBURSEMENT of the
islands unless, of course, it was done in
a general conference in which America
likewise agreed to give up her con-
quered islands. Plainly the situation
calls for the negotiation of a new peace
treaty which would require all victors
to be treated alike.
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