Evening star., 1947-07-09
BY the Associated Press

A cOnVlCClO1 Jldb In6 UnlUeO
States must deal with Russia for
many years "as a rival. not a part
ner," is expressed in highly
authoritative but anonymous pub
lished article which is attracting
much diplomatic attention.
It outlines the view that if the
Soviet Union can be held in check
for the next decade or longer. the
result may be either more cooper
ative attitude or breakdown of
Russian power.
The article is published in the
July issue of Foreign Affairs, a
quarterly magazine, under the sig
nature "Mr. x" There is specula-
ton among diplomatic officials that
it sets forth the thinking of George
Kennan, chief of Secretary of State
Marshall's new policy planning
staff.
The State Department refused
comment today as to whether Mr..
kennan, a top-ranking diplomat
with years of experience in Moscow
and great influence here, actually
wrote the article. Whether he did
or not, the interest displayed in it
by responsible officials leaves no
doubt that it is authoritative.
No Soviet Timetable.
The theme of the article is that
(a) Soviet leaders hope for and
expect an eventual breakdown of
the capitalist world, (b) that mean
while they justify their dictator
ship by preaching inside Russia
"the menace" of capitalist encircle-
ment and Co aboard they follow
a practice of expanding into all
areas where other powers are weak.
One key to Soviet action, accord
ing to Mr.. x" is that the Soviets
have no timetable and constantly
can retreat or expand according to
the counter forces set up against
them.
The writer argues, however, that
they cannot always, as matter
of tactics, wait and accomplish
nothing.
He speculates that If the United
States, along with other western
nations, can follow a policy of firm
containment'' of the Soviet Union
for 10 or Is years the result may
be either a "mellowing'', or break
down of Soviet power.
"It is clear that the main ele-
ment of any United States policy
toward the Soviet Union must be
that of long term. patient, but
firm and vigilant containment of
Russian expansive tendencies" the
writer declares.
Facts Louder Than Words.
Beyond this, he says, the issue
of Soviet-American relations is in
essence a test of the overall worth
of the United States as a nation
among nations"
The article was written before the
Marshall plan for economic recovery
in Europe was proposed and thus
does not comment on the plans po-
tential worth as an active American
economic move.
Explaining that Communists rec
ognize only the masters voice. of
the Kremlin and heed its orders, the
writer said even top leaders "are not
likely to be swayed by any normal
logic in the words of the bourgeoisie
representatives.
Since there can be no appeal to
common purposes" the article con-
tinues, there can be no appeal to
common mental approaches. For
this reason, facts speak louder than
words to the ears of the Kremlin,
and words carry the greatest weight
when they have the ring of reflect
ing. or being backed up by, facts of
interchangeable validity
The patient persistence" by which
Soviet political action moves, the
writer says, means that it can be
effectively countered not by sporadic
acts which represent the momentary
whims of democratic opinion, but
only by intelligent long-range poll
cies on the part of Russia's adver-
saries; policies no less steady in their
purpose and no less variegated and
resourceful in their application than
those of the Soviet Union itself"
Masses Called DisillusiOned.
The Soviets, the writer argues
have succeeded in maintaining "in-
ternal political security and In
building up heavy industry-their