Evening star., 1946-05-06
Attitude of Russiu "A
Stalls Paris PorIeys
Soviet Seems Determined to
Block u. S. and Britain
BY David Laurence

BY DaVid Laurence
The so-called peace" conference to
settle issues growing out of World
War II is dawdling along and the
Paris sessions may have to be ad-
journed and the conversations resumed
periodically.
There is little hope here that Russia
will soon alter her course of blocking
almost every move or proposal made by
the United States and Great Britain.
The unfavorable, If not hostile. re-
ception given by the Moscow radio to
the proposed four power treaty to guar
antee against return of German ag-
gression was not unexpected. No mat
ter what the suggestion happens to be,
the belief grows in official quarters that
Russia will find reason for refusing
it, The record shows that ever since
the close of the war Russia has not
accepted Immediately any proposition
made by other powers, but has asked for
amendments or notifications or has
declined to approve.
Only Russians Held Out.
The obstructionist tactics came into
prominence about a year ago at the
San Francisco Conference The other
delegates there worked through tedi-
GUS period waiting for the Russians to
make up their minds. Again and again
everybody else would agree except the
Russians
The fact is plain now that the Rus
slams act as if they were suspicious of
the United States and Great Britain
and that every proposal is viewed as
part of game.
Thus the announcement made by Sec
retary of State Byrnes that the United
States was ready to join Russia. Brit
ain and France in guarantee against
the return of German aggression is
looked upon by Moscow as a screen to
cover a retreat in the fulhllment Of
obligations relating to- the continued
occupation of Germany.
The Russians choose to regard the
treaty idea as meaning that the British
and Americans want the Russian troops
to leave Germany or else that the
Americans and British are eager to do
So In any case, the intention of the
United States to furnish protection
against possible German aggression has
been lost sight of by Moscow.
U. S. Patience Strained.
Indeed, one significant aspect Of the
Byrnes proposal is completely over
looked. Only few weeks ago former
Prime Minister Winston Churchill said
the Russians had developed an Iron
curtain in Europe and he urged that
the United States and Great Britain
form, in effect, military alliance. The
Russian press reacted vehemently to
such an idea but now, when the United
States proposes what could be construed
as four-power alliance embracing
Russia, the Moscow radio is just as
quick to denounce this proposal, too.
American patience is being strained to
the utmost. Officials. of the Govern
ment here in both the executive and
the legislative departments, realize the
situation is delicate and there has been
feeling that Secretary Byrnes and
Senators Vandenberg and Connally are
ooiiiS tiAc DCSS lIIcy Gail WIFI DANGER
GUS and difficult situation.
But the record is being made Sooner
or later the American people and the
peoples of all the world must learn all
the facts. The refusal of the Russians
to withdraw their troops from occupied
areas or neighboring countries which
are supposed to be sovereign entities will
eventually be debated in the United
Nations. This means a mobilization of
world opinion is hoped for as one means
OF dissuading the Russians from their
present course, which is viewed by off,
claldom as distinctly unco-operative.
The tragedy of it all is that there is
a will to peace which is unsatisfed
There is a conviction here that deep
seated fraternity and friendship could
exist between the Russian and Ameri-
can peoples if the troublesome questions
OF theology and if the demands for ex-
pansion to satisfy nationalistic spirit
were not present in Russia today.
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