Evening star., 1947-09-15

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I SECRETARY OF STATE
MARSHALL,
As he addressed the American
Association for the United
Nations. -AP Wirephoto.
fact, citizens gather to discuss their
vital interests.
We Americans must obtain a
clear understanding of the role
which we ourselves are called upon
to play in the United Nations, we
must understand the roles which
others are playing or are falling to
play. We must continually remind
ourselves that the United Nations
succeeds or fails according to the
conduct of the members themselves
and their willingness to act in &C
cordance with the Charter. We must
become familiar with the terms Of
the Charter. I think this might well
be included in the curriculum of our
high schools and colleges.
The limitations inherent in this
great organization for the preserva-
tion of peace should be made clear
to our citizens. We make a grave
error to suppose that every inter-
national problem should be handled
by the United Nations Actually, this
would neither be desirable nor
practicable. The American govern
ment, for example, is conducting
negotiations continuously with every
recognized government in the world
on hundreds of subjects. Other
governments are doing the same.
The great ma jority Of these matters
are satisfactorily settled by mutual
agreement between the parties di-
rectly concerned Nothing would be
gained and much would be lost by
complicating the procedures of day.
to-day negotiation by multiplying
machinery where simple methods
suffice.
Even in cases of international
disputes the continuance of which
might enGanger the maintenance
of peace and security-in other
words the matters of primary in
terest to the United NationS-the
Charter enjoins the parties first OF
all to seek solution by negotiation,
inquiry, mediation, conciliation. ar
bitration, judicial settlement, resort
to regional agencies or arrange
ments or other peaceful means OF
their own choice. Clearly this means
that parties to disputes should use
such peaceful means in good faith
and in a spirit of mutual accom-
mediation. Recourse to United Ma
tions agencies in such matters may
constitute an abuse of the Charter
If the purpose be merely to better
a bargaining position, to obtain a
larger forum for propaganda, or to
create greater rather than less In
ternational friction. Ultimately, OF
course, the United Nations is there
and should he freely used where a
basis for agreement does not exist
and action or advice of the United
Nations is needed. for the MAIN
tenance of good relations.
Cites Specialized Agencies.
Those who would understand its
functions must also be aware of
the part which is to be played by
the specialized agencies which are
now being related to the United Ma
tions under the general co-ordina-
ton of the Economic and Social
Council. These agencies are de-
signed to encourage international
cooperation in specific fields; they
are not, in general agencies with
extensive resources of their own or
with direct responsibility for the
execution of policy within the
United Nations, although some have
important operating functions. Some
of them, such as the Interna-
tional Labor Organization, have
long histories of accomplishment in
the international field; others, such
as the proposed International Trade
Organization, to be considered at
the forthcoming International Trade
Conference in Havana in Novem-
ber of this year, are very young,
indeed. Others, such as the Inter-
national Refugee Organization, are
envisaged as temporary agencies to
be disbanded when a. particular job
is done The International Bank
for, Reconstruction and development
and the International Monetary
Fund are agencies with direct oper-
ational responsibilities in a par
ticular field.
I have touched upon these mat
terS merely as reminders that an
intelligent participation by the
United States in the United Ma
tions requires persistent effort by
our citizens and by organizations
such as yours. will turn now to
the relation between the United
Nations and the foreign policy OF
the United States.
The President and other respon-
sible Americans have on many oc-
caSions declared that support for
the United Nations Is the corner
stone of our foreign policy. On this
we are a united people-without
party or regional differences.
Deep Fidelity to U. N.
Our fidelity to the United Ma
tions TO use the words of the Pres
ldent in his recent address to the
Inter-American Conference at Rio
goes deep. Our faith in the United
Nations has its roots in the basic
moral values and spiritual aspira-
tions of the American people
These aspirations of ours are identi-
cal with the purposes and principles
of the Charter. The late President
Roosevelt had this in mind when
he spoke of freedom of speech ano
expression, freedom of worship
. freedom from want and freedom
from fear-everywhere in the world
How do we translate these general
principles into practical terms?
What precisely our support fol
the United Nations mean?
First, it means that we ourselves
must faithfully live up to our OBJ
legations under the Charter.
Second. it means that our public
acts must be consistent with 1pe
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