Evening star., 1948-05-12
Up to Russia

Up to kuSSI0
In view of the too -wishful first reactions
to it, President Truman was forced to
clarity the meaning of the latest diplo-
matte exchange between the United States
and the Soviet Union. The event does not
represent new departure in our foreign
policy. The only thing that has hap
pened is that we have affirmed-through
Ambassador Smith-our firm adherence to
that policy and our determination to
prosecute it vigorously In short there
has been no discernible development war
ranting the belief that we may look for
ward now to an early settlement OF our
grave differences with the Russians. This
point is amply supported by the texts OF
Ambassador Smiths statement to Foreign
Minister Molotov and Mr.. Molotovs re-
sponse to it. For our own part, we have
fatty blamed the Kremlin for the great
seriousness of the present situation, and
we have served notice that we intend to
work as closely as possible with other free
lands in mutual self-defense against direct
and indirect Soviet aggression. At the
same time, we have urged the Russians
to get it clearly in their heads that we
mean what we say, that our policy has
overwhelming bipartisan public support,
that election-year politics will not divert
us from our course and that it is foolish
to count on our being weakened by an
economic crisis. Finally, we have solemnly
reassured them that we harbor no hostile
or aggressive designs against them and
that our door will always be wide open for
a full discussion and settlement OF the
issues dividing us.
In other words, as President Truman
has declared, the United States has simply
reiterated its position because OF belief
that reiteration might be helpful at this
juncture in preventing any unfortunate
misunderstanding" in the Moscow gov
ernment. In reply, speaking through Mr.
Molotov, the Kremlin has abSolved itself
of any blame. Instead, it has accused us
of being responsible for the bad state OF
American-Russian relations, and 1t has
expressed it's intention to keep on cultI-
waiting friendly relations" In Eastern
Europe and elseWhere-a point implying
total rejection of our charge that friendly
relations" in the Soviet lexicon means
Communist sdbversion, terror and the
death of independence, as IN CzechoSlo-
vakia. Nevertheless, declaring itself IN
favor of radical relaxation In inter-
national tension" the Kremlin has said
that it stands outside our wide-open door
ready to proceed to the discussion and
settlement of differences existing be-
tween U.S." &
But what does all this add up to If
the Russians are not prepared to effect
fundamental change in their over all
policy? There is everything to be said,
of course, for our keeping the door wide
OPEN For this is true: AS long as
our two countries remain on speaking
terms, as long as they do not close the
avenues Of negotiation between them, we
can hope for a peaceful understanding
at some time in the future. Meanwhile,
as of now, what issue of consequence can
be discussed and settled between us unless
the Soviet Union is really in mood to
cooperate? Korea? Greece? Germany?
Austria? The violent propaganda war?
Disarmament? Control of the atom?
What?
The questions answer themselves. An
elaborate two-power conference can ac-
complish exactly nothing without prior
decision by the Russians to reverse them
selves, end their obstructionism and join
sincerely with us and the rest OF the
United Nations in building decent peace
Unfortunately, the indications are that
this is not the case The Russians ap-
parently have merely jumped at the
opportunity-which our Government un-
Willingly gave them-to reap propaganda
harvest for themselves.