The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1947-08-16
What IL Means
over U.N.
By SIGRID ARHE

it up and form q new organizo.
ton.
Criticism of the u. N. stems
from irritation over the Russian
use of the veto. 1t includes the
American Legion's colorful
use of the veto. 1t includes the
charge that the Security Council
is "perpetually hung jury" and
comes from all manner of other
people-from Joe Doakes, who
writes his Senator, to the men
in Congress who help shape
United States policy.
In many quarters, however,
U. N. prestige rose when it re-
Gently compelled truce in the
flareup of war between the
Dutch and Indonesians.
Road Block in Charter
The policy makers think
changing the U:-N. is highly i'm
probable. They point out the
ad-block in the U. N. charter
itself.
The charter says the SIS men,
Der states can call conference
to write amendments. The con-
ference can take decisions on a
two-thirds vote, but the amend
ments must be sent to the home
governments for ratification,
and then all of the big Five"
powers must approve. That
leaves the gate open for another
Russian veto.
The veto could hardly fail to
be the center of battle to
change the charter. The Russi-
ans have consistently opposed
any change.
That brings the Washington
conjecture around to What hap
pens next?" The few who are in
innate with the working rules of
u. N. are guessing:
That Russia may withdraw
under a much more determined
stand by the western nations.
That Russia will be the last to
withdraw.
That if a U. Sled break
should come it would have to be
over a clear-cut issue, and Rus
sia's veto of the Balkan watch
dog" commission isn't big
enough.
What Could Dc II
The guess is that the issue
could be:
|. Control of atomic energy.
2. u. N. police force.
3. Some angle of the German
and Austrian peace treaties.
4. The Japanese treaty.
The treaties are not the Off
cial business of u. N. They are
being written by the foreign min
listers of the U. S., Britain, the
Soviet and France. The feeling
is that they could kick up an is
sue that would reverberate thru
the u. N. Assembly which will
get to work September 16 at
Lake Success, N. Y.
On the other hand, there are
several thoughtful suggestions
for changing u. N. rules and
leaving the organization intact.
Most of the suggestions are made
on the assumption (Which has lit
tie to stand on) that changes can
be made in the face of that pos
sible veto.
What Legion Wants
The American Legion would
like to see:
/. The United Nations take &C
ton against aggression. or even
preparation for aggression, on a
mere majority council vote.
g International authorities con-
troll not only atomic energy but
all mass destruction weapons.
3. Quotas put on heavy arma-
ment.
4. A strong U.N. police force.
In Congress two resolutions
have been adopted asking Cd re-
visions of the charter and co a
call from the President for gen.
Icral U.N conference to strength
en- itself.
Senator Byrd (D.-Va.) has sug-
geSted that veto in the Security
Council should be passed on to
the U.N. Assembly. He thinks the
Assembly should be free to over
ride a veto by two-thirdS vote.
In his speech to the Senate he
said:
Il make the confident predic-
ton that shortly the necessities of
the situation will force a show
down with Russia within the
United Nations"