Evening star., 1948-05-11

IN MOScOtG to Russian FoTetgn
Minister Molotop on May on
behalf of the United States Co..
eminent, follo,1s:
Two years ago, during my initial
conversation with Generalissimo
Stain and yourself, I stated as
clearly as possible my estimate of
the inevitable reaction Of the Ameri-
can people to the continuance of a
policy by the Soviet government
which would appear to have as its
purpose the progressive extension
of the area of Soviet power. At that
time I pointed out that it would be
grave misinterpretation OF the
fundamentally pacific character OF
| the American people to believe that
they would not react strongly and
vigorously to the progressive doml-
nation by one country OF its neigh
bors and the clear threat to- the
world community which such ac-
tions would imply:
! emphasized at that time that the
United States had no desire what
ever to see the world divided into
two major groupings, nor to divert
large part of its income to the
maintenance of a military establish
ment which such a world situation
would necessitate in elementary self
defense. It seemed apparent then
that such line of policy as that
described could lead inevitably to
crystalization of the non-Sovlet areas
of the world whose people would
Juite UNDERSTANDABLE feel themselves
progressively threatened by such
developments. 1t seemed also IN
evitable in such case that the
United States, as the strongest ma
ton in this community, would be
forced to take a leading part IN
this movement and to divert large
portion of its energy, which by pref
erence our people would prefer to
utilize for assistance in the recon-
struction of the ravages OF the war
to the maintenance of a military
establishment adequate to meet the
developing world situation.
Apprehensions Realized.
| .Unhappily, the apprehensions I
felt at that time have been realized.
Since that date, Soviet policy IN
Eastern Europe has produced the
reaction which was predicted. The
situation which has resulted is OBJ
viously one Of great seriousness.
The European community and the
United States have become alarmed
at the implications of Soviet policy,
and are drawing closer together In
mutual self protection, but only In
self protection.
| 1t is for this reason that my gov
ernment desires me to outline to you
with complete clarity and frankness
the position of the United States
Government.
There should be no mistake about
| the determination OF the United
States to play its part in these CO.
operative movements for recovery
and self defense. The concern and
the determination of the people OF
the United States have been inten-
sif1ed by the inexplicable hostility OF
the Soviet Government to the Eu-
ropean Recovery Program-a meas
ure which in it's inception and subse-
quent developments is so obviously
only a measure of American assls-
ltance for reconstruction on a CO.
operative basis without menace or
threat to any one.
Situation Serious.
The situation which has been pro-
duced by the actions of the Soviet
Governments or by political groups
obviously under dts control, and the
natural. and inevitable reaction on
the part of other countries, includ-
ing the United States, to these &C
tions Is obviously one OF great Sc
riousness.
MY government has no idea what
conclusions the Soviet government
has reached concerning the present
attitude of the United States. 1t
has noted that the picture of this
attitude given by the Soviet press
is dangerously distorted and errone-
GUS. Whether or in what degree the
members of the Soviet government
themselves believe this distorted
version my government has no
means of estimating. For this rea-
son, I. wish to make plain certain
points on which my Government
considers it extremely important
that there be no misunderstanding
at this time.
/. The policies of the United
States Government in interllatlona,
questions have been made amply
clear in recent months and weeks.
They have the support of the over
whelming majority of the American
people. They will continue to be
vigorously and firmly prosecuted.
1t would be grave error If others
were to assume that domestic con-
siderations, such as the forthcoming
elections, would in any way weaken
the determination of the Uni,ed
States to support what it believes to
be right. The American people have
always known how to separate do