Evening star., 1947-07-01
Russiu Against the World?

The eminent Emergency Committee of
Atomic Scientists has issued another elo-
quent warning to the world. In Paris, how
ever, the Russians appear to be deaf and
blind. Having succeeded to date in frus-
trating the majority will for genuine con-
troll of the atom and for other measures to
build good peace, they seem determined
now to do whatever they can to block even
the Marshall proposal. AS if with eyes that
see not and ears that hear not, they con-
tinue to give every evidence of wanting to
create the towering menace that frightens
men like Einstein and Urey and all others
who rightly fear permanent East-WeSt
division as the forerunner of another war
that could wipe out civilization.
Just as they have countered our atomic
plan with something made largely of water,
the RusSians-through Mr.. Molotov at
Paris-apparently are willing to do no
more about the Marshall proposal than
burleseae it. They favor substitute, it
seems that would hamstring any effort to
promote European recovery on an in
tegrated, continent-wide basis. According
to their official news agency, they want
the exact opposite of the plan suggested
by us and earnestly supported by the
British, the French and others not subject
to the Kremlin's sway. They want to tackle
the problem in the piecemeal fashion of
the past-an approach that,has obviously
failed. Moreover, they want no conditions
attached to our aid; they want no COM
mon action, no unification OF the German
economy, no lifting Of the "iron curtain"
for a freer exchange Of goods and ideas
in short, no real cooperation.
The Stain government must know, of
course, that its counter proposal to the
Marshall proposal cannot promote recov-
cry on continent whose prosperity de-
n1ands that it function pretty much as an
economic unit. 1t must know, too, that
American aid simply would not be forth
coming under such hit-or miss, uncondi-
tional arrangement. Accordingly, Mr.. Molo
tovs position at Paris, if it is a final posi-
ton, can be interpreted only as the Krem-
Inns way of serving notice that it does not
intend to reverse It's policy and that Europe
is to be split permanently in two-a notice
inviting Britain and France, with American
support, to organize as much of the West
as possible into a kind of bloc operating
politically and economically without Rus
sia. Foreign Secretary Bevin has made
clear that this Is the course the British
will. follow If the Soviet Union chooses to
hold out, and the French seem ready to do
the same, though the Communists among
them can cause great deal of trouble.
In many respects the Russians would
seem to be hurting themselves by torpedo
ing the Marshall proposal. Europe in gen.
eral would hold them responsible for keep
ing the continent on its uppers. They
could get no help from us for themselves.
They would be blamed for step that
could wreck the November meeting of
Foreign Ministers in advance and sp it the
United Nations wide open. They would
stand alone with their satellites against the
greater part of the world-an isolated OBJ
ject of fear and hostility. Yet, though this
may appear to be madness without method,
1t is what the Soviet Union is asking for at
Paris unless all current reports are wrong.
Not since the war ended therefore has
there seemed to be less reason for optimism
than now or more reason for warnings like
that of the atomic scientists Given the
Kremlin's continued intransigence, there
will be nothing for the West to do but try
to make the best of an extremely bad sit
uation without delay. And making the
best of it will have to include preparedness
against the futures worst possibilities.