Evening star., 1948-05-11
Officials Say Move
For Actual 7 ulks
Is Up to Soviet
(Tert of american and Russian
Statements on Page 49,
By Gornett D. Horner

that mo new departure in Amer
lean policy" was involved in a
recent diplomatic exchange with
Moscow which put both the
United States and Russia on
record as ready for discussion
and settlement" of their diff
ferences.
This Governments purpose IN the
exchange. the President emphasized,
was to set forth It's policies toward
Russia "as clearly as could be IN
an effort to avoid any unfortunate
misunderstanding
The salient points OF this Gov
ernment's position as made clear to
the Soviet, the President said. are
that American foreign policy Will
continue to be vigorously and firmly
prosecuted" but that this country
has no hostile or aggressive de-
signs" toward Russia.
Talks Up to Russians.
American officials saw no basis
for actual negotiations in what
amounted to a restatement of the
position of the two countries, and
Indicated that it would be up to the
Russians to come forward with
specific new proposals if there is
to be any further concrete move
to end the cold war
Mr.. Truman issued special
statement from the White House
today apparently in an effort to
clear up confusion caused by Mos
COW radio broadcast last night in
dicating that full-dress American
Russian conference to settle out
standing differences might be imml-
nent.
The Moscow broadcast gave the
Russian version of a statement to
Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov by
American Ambassador Walter Bedel
Smith on May 4. and Mr. Molotov's
reply on May g. The State Depart
ment issued today the text of Gen.
Smiths counterreply to Mr.. Molotov.
Text Of Truman Statement.
The text Of Mr.. Trumans clarity
Ing statement follows:
With regard to the recent ex-
change of views between Ambassa-
dor Smith and Foreign Minister
Molotov in Moscow, 1t was felt by
this government that in view of the
adoption of the European Recovery
Program as a definite expression OF
policy and of the Presidents recent
recommendation to Congress con-
eerning the military establishment.
1t was important that there should
be no misconception or confusion IN
the minds of the Soviet government
concerning the position Of this Gov
ernment.
Accordingly. Ambassador Smith
was directed to seek an interview
with Mr. Molotov in order to set
forth as clearly as could be expressed
the policies and purposes OF the
United States with regard to the
Soviet Union and thus avoid any
unfortunate misunderstanding In
view of the character OF the current
propaganda statements.
No Departure in Policy.
The statement made by Ambas-
sador Smith represented no new
departure in American policy 1t
was a reiteration of the American
position as it has been repeatedly
expressed both publicly and privately
The two salient points OF the
statement made by Ambassador
Smith were these:
The policies of the United States
Government in international ques-
tions have been made amply clear
in recent months and weeks They
have the support of the overwhelm-
ing majority of the American peo-
pie. They will continue to be
vigorously and firmly prosecuted
"'On the other hand, this Govern
ment wishes to make it unmistake-
ably clear that the United States
has no hostile or aggressive designs
whatsoever with respect to the
Soviet Union.
Possibility of Talks Ignored.
The Presidents statement conspic-
uously ignored any reference to any
move for discussion and settle
ment" of Soviet-American differ
ences. which actually were under
(See RUSSIA Page A-6D