Evening star., 1948-10-08
Soviet Atom Proposal
Being 'Debunked' by
Voice., LoveH Says

Russia's latest atomic energy pro-
posal set OH an immediate cam
paign by the Voice of America to
"debunk" 1t.
This was disclosed by Undersec-
retary Of State Lovett in an ad-
dress yesterday before the United
States Advisory Commission on In
formation, set up by Congfess to
recommend policies for the Voice
Of America broadcasts and other
Government propaganda activities
Mr.. Lovett cited the incident as
an example of "one of our jobs
not only to make our case but ac-
tually to debunk the mass of con-
fusing details which are put out"
Called Major Problem.
Zone of our major problems, he
remarked, ''is to make our policy
known, to be able to explain it not
merely to the technician with whom
you are negotiating on the other
side, but to the great mass of the
public of the world"
In this undertaking. he added, he
expected policy guidance both
promptly and frankly from the
advisory commission.
Mr.. Lovett also cited the Berlin
crisis and the problems in Korea
as other examples, beside atomic
; energy control, where American
policy needs to be explained to the
/, public in simple terms.
The Soviet proposal last Satur-
: day for simultaneous agreements to
outlaw the atomic bomb and set up
! international controls "clouded the
issues" Mr.. Lovett said.
Cites French Broadcasts.
: The United States insists that in
ternational control include provi-
; sions for inspection in each country,
z without any veto. The Soviet pro-
posal did not withdraw opposition
/: to these key points.
= Mr.. Lovett said, however, that the
French radio saw the proposal as
giving new basis for discussions
since the Russians were retreating
from their previous position.
The retreat was entirely imagin-
ary," Mr.. Lovett said.
The American delegation to the
United Nations meeting in Paris
Immediately sent message to the
State Department, he added saying
'it is urgent that this maneuver be
debunked in the simplest phraseol-
ogy possible"
Sees Marshall Touch.
On the instructions from Paris,
the Voice Of America beamed broad
casts overseas in a score of Ian
guages explaining the, American po-
sition in detail and citing editorial
comment Of newspapers here.
Mr.. Lovett said the simplest
phraseology possible" instruction
probably was injected personally by
Secretary of State Marshall who
takes rather a dim view" of some
formalized diplomatic exchanges.
In this connection, Mr.. Lovett re-
called that one of his first expert
ences in the State Department was
to bring In note to country which
mao oenaVed IN q per1ecCly OUT
rageous fashion" and the note ended
up, Accept, sir, the assurances OF
my highest consideration" I
Mr.. Lovett said he got the note
back with blue pencil through that
phrase and in Gen. Marshalls per-
!. sonal handwriting, please stop this;
sign it Faithfully yours"
Welcomes Bid for Frankness.
Mark Ethridge, publisher of the |
Louisville, Courier-Journal and |
chairman Of the commission, told
Mr.. Loyett the invitation to frank
ness was welcome.
i Mr.. Ethridge asserted the United
{ States lis new to the arts Of waging
peace" and said the State Depart
ment's foreign information program
Is vital
The commission, charged with
making semiannual reports to Con-
gress on effectiveness of the pro-
gram, continued today q study of
the current operations.