The Wilmington morning star., 1946-09-26
Stain And u. S. Editors

Josef Stains question and answer
interview with a British reporter, in
which he says the world is in 10 real
danger of war, has provoked contra
dictory comment by American news
paper editors. The San F r a c i S C Q
Chronicle puts the situation in a nut
shell when it says: "Stalin makes it
clear now that he does not think war
is just around the corner, and if he
doesn't think so, it isn't"
Consoling as this is, it must first be
demonstrated that Stain is sincere in
his declaration. The New York Times
seems to have had similar reaction to
the Russian generalissmo's pronounce
ment. 1t notes that, ut is part of the
Russian enigma that words and actions
often lie so far apart" and adds, justly
enough, "If there is to be successful
cooperation, it cannot be, as Mr.. Stain
has hitherto wanted it to be, exclusive
ly on Russian terms. The way to CO.
operate is to meet half way"
The New York Herald Tribune tacitly
demands an explanation Of the Soviet
Unions real purposes. 1T is as impor-
tant," say the Herald Tribune, "for
Russia to face up to and define her own
real ends as it is for the United States
to do So" The Kremlin, this news
paper adds, MAY be cropping after a
real basis for peace, and even hits at
the beginning of another shift in the
party line, designed, however cautious
ly, to make such a basis possible"
The Herald Tribune obviously is will
ing to give Russia the benefit of the
doubt, but the New York Daily News
leaves no doubt as to it's opinion by
saying the gentleman in Moscow "has
been talking out of both sides of his
mouth" This is not the first time
Stain has changed his tune, in the
opinion of the News editor. "He became
more friendly toward capitalism" he
writes, latter his friend Hitler attack
ed Russia-because the capitalistic
United States was furnishing Stain with
a lot of war materials he needed to hold
off the Germans"
In an opposite vein, the Atlanta
Constitution believes that con the whole,
it is a frank, encouraging statement.
It gives fresh hope to all those who
fear war. Perhaps it disappoints those
who seem to talk and want war"
simultaneously, the Los Angeles Times
contends that "to conclude on the au-
thority Of Mr.. Stains present state
ment that Russia has foresworn war
is to reject all the evidence given by
MI. Stain himself with MARKHAM con
sistency for more than twenty-five
years." And the Jacksonville Times
Union insists that "Stalin still leaves
the world perplexed as to the full
meaning of his statements for they do
not jibe with the actions of his minions
here in America and in Paris"
Less clear is the comment of the ST..
Paul Dispatch. mot only Stains words
but Russia's acts give real clues to
prospects of future peace" We find
difficult to put a finger on any of
Russia's postwar acts that give a clue
to any prospect for peace in the future.
With its customary clarity, the Kansas
City Star notes that "Friends every
where of a just and endurable peace
could desire no more comprehensive
commitment, but how are we outsiders
to explain violent attacks on imperial
istic' motives of Western democracies
by his associates, or repeated charges
Russian sources that peace is be-
ing endangered by various American
and British practices?"
On the whole, editorial comments
reaching this department indicate a
predisposition to weigh Russia's acts
pre-disposition to weigh Russia's acts
with Sta1in'c words ond DC Tho Now