Evening star., 1947-07-04
Diplomatic Defeat
For MoIotov Seen
In Paris Failure
BY John M. Hiohtower

Associated Press Foreign Correspendent
In the opinion of diplomatic
authorities here Foreign Minister
Molotov of Russia suffered a severe
diplomatic defeat-perhaps the worst
of his career-in the failure of the
Big Three conference at Paris.
1t was no so much the fact that
Mr.. Molotov failed to win Britain
and France to his viewpoint, but
that in the failure the Soviet Union
is believed to have lost ground in
achieving its objectives in Europe.
One authoritative informant, ev-
identity rejecting State Department
reaction, said Russia has now DEM
onstrated to the world that it is not
interested in European reconstruc-
ton.
Russia, this informant said, has
been shown to be more concerned
with preventing those European ma
tions not under its control from
working together than with the
relief of misery and the return Of
healthy economic conditions.
2 Primary Objectives Seen.
According to responsible American
estimates of Soviet policy the Krem-
lin has two primary objectives in
Europe: % To prevent the forma-
ton of Western bloc or any Or
ganization of states which might be
the basis for bloc. CD To keep
the continent disorganized because
Communist political activities can
be carried on better in such tondi-
ton.
As American officials see it, Mr..
Molotov had two ways of promoting
these objectives at Paris. He could
fatty turn down cooperation with
Britain and France in carrying out
the Marshall plan for economic re-
covery, which is what he did. Or he
could have agreed to some kind OF
cooperation, then sought to modify,
stall or hamstring the plan.
1t was the latter alternative which
authorities here expected him to
take after he once agreed to meet
with Foreign Ministers Bevin OF
Britain and Didault of France to
discuss Secretary of State Marshall's
proposals.
Threatened Britain, France,
AS it turned out he not only re-
fused cooperation but threatened
Britain and France by saying, in
effect, that they should beware
of the consequences of their CO.
operation
This means, in the American
view, that Moscow will now use
every method it considers feasible
to block the Marshall plan and
particularly will fight it through
Communist parties IN France and
Italy. On the other hand, there
seems to be no doubt that Britain
and France are determined to go
through with their program OF eco
nomic organization with as many
countries as will participate and the
United States will cooperate to the
fullest extent possible.
! Because of this some authorities
say Mr.. Molotov has actually
brought about the very condition
which he most feared and had an
opportunity to avoid at Paris. that
is, the basis for, forn1ation ,~of a
western bloc.
Among American experts who
know the Soviet Foreign Minister
there is considerable question as
to whether Mr.. Molotoy personally
favored the Soviet policies he ex-
pressed at Paris.
Policy Seen Politbureau's,
The Washington belief is that he
personally would have hesitated long
before doing anything to damage
Russian prestige in Europe by op-
posing an economic program IN the
interest of European peoples.
Thus, it is said, the Russian pol
icies probably were dictated by the
Soviet Unions Politbureau, whose
members are unfamiliar with the
world beyond Russia's borders and
consequently are unable to calculate
accurately the effects of such a
course as Mr.. Molotov pursued at
Paris.
This does not mean there is any
deep difference in opinion between
Mr.. Molotov and the Politbureau on
basic Russian policies, but that there
may be some difference as to the
best tactics to use in carrying
! them out.