Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-04-09
U. S. Policy Stated
In One Paragraph
Truman's Words on Far East
Applies Equally to Europe
By David Laurence

Applies Equally to Europe
By David Laurence
Seldom has any one in the United
States Government expressed American
policy toward the rest of the world in a
single paragraph. President Truman
has just done 1t in his Chicago speech.
But 1t is doubtful whether many who
read that particular excerpt realized
that it is Americas foreign policy re-
duced to simple statement that carries
far-reaching significance. Mr. Truman
said:
I'VE recognize that the Soviet Union,
the British Commonwealth and other
nations have important interests in the
Far East In return we expect recogni-
ton by them that we also have an in
terest In maintaining peace and security
In that area. We expect understanding
on their part that our objectives are
dedicated to the pursuit of peace. and
we shall expect them to pursue the same
detectives"
The words Near East" could be SUBJ
oIltuIcO, do COulQ tiic WUlQ CulOpe, al
the above paragraph and American
policy would be the same. What the
President of the United States has sale,
in effect. is that nations may think they
have interests or spheres Of influence"
in certain areas, but the moment thes.
come in conflict with the interests Of
other nations, the United States feels,
ha TIri{
obligation to see that such differences
do not produce the frictions that lead t.
war.
L. S. Fully Committed.
What may not be fully understood
outside the United States is that this
country is committed to full participa-
ton in world affairs and cannot escap.
responsibility for settlements or disputes
which, if allowed to go unsettled, could
conceivably threaten the peace Of the
world.
Before World War II, Americas police
was TO limit herself almost entirely to
direct help in disputes that might arise
over questions in this hemisphere
whether the disputants were pan-Ameri-
can states or European or Asiatic coun-
tries. The interest of the United States
in European disputes, on the other hand,
was casual, and only when American
rights were attacked was 1t considered
within the domain of American policy.
This did not mean that the United
States remained silent, for there were
occasions when our good Offices" were
extended to prevent war and bring about
peaceful solution.
The situation is wholly different now,
and the carefully phrased words Of the
Presidents speech reveal what a change
has come since the late President
Roosevelt made his historic commit
ment at the Yalta Conference.
The United States today manifest.s
an active interest in any dispute II
any portion of the world and in any
situation which could possibly bring
about the kind of friction which might
involve the world in war
Interest" Defined.
No country, great or small" said
the President in his Chicago speech,
has legitimate interests in the Nea:
and Middle East which cannot be re-
conciled with the interests of other
nations through the United Nations
The United Nations have a right to
insist that the sovereignty and integ-
rlty OF the countries of the Near East
and the Middle East must not b.
threatened by coercion or penetration"
Here We have all that was ever said
or promised in the famous Article Ten
OF the League OF Nations Covenant
A long controversy in the Senate was
carried on over that pledge but today
1t is conveyed in presidential utter
ance and is accepted as American
policy.
What it means of course, is that the
United States intends to enforce peace
through the United Nations Charter.
1t means that the United States will
not only herself respect but will insist
that other nations respect and preserve
the territorial integrity and sovereign
independence Of members Of the United
Nations
Mr.. Truman apparently feels that
at a critical time in world affairs he
must not leave any doubt as to the
American position. The United States
is taking its stand on principal. II
sovereignties can be broken down In
a mad scramble for the worlds re-
sources, there can only be introduced
serious disorders He added 1T Is
easy to see how the Near East anc
Middle East could become an arena Of
intense rivalry between outside powers
and how such rivalry might suddenly
erupt into conflict"
Mr.. Truman pointed out that the
small nations with rich resources In
a given arena could neither collectively
nor individually withstand powerful
aggression" Under the United Nations
Charter, the American Government Is
pledged to fight against such agrees
sion. These are present-day commit
ments, though Congress in handling the
extension of the draft act does not
seem yet to have awakened to the I'M
plications OF Americas world policy.
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