Evening star., 1948-05-12
Russia
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regard to the United States" and
that the Soviet intends to pursue
this policy with perfect consistency
In the future as well"
Gen, Marshall said that without
bringing up the past, he considered
that q very important statement
with regard to the future. He added
that he was certain the world would
show great interest in the con-
sistency of the implementation Of
that statement.
Secretary Marshall said he hopes
to see evidences of a spirit of reach
ing an accord by Russia In the
various fields where action has been
stalemated so far.
Like President Truman yesterday,
Gen. Marshall emphasized in his
formal statement that the purpose
of Gen. Smiths approach to Mr..
Molotov was to attempt to remove
anil misunderstanding about Amer
lean policy which might lead to
tragic consequences.
May Query Russians.
While Gen. Marshall said he had
nothing in mind at present on any
further exchange with Soviet lead
ers, his advisors were considering
asking the Russians exactly what
they have in mind for possible dis
cussions aimed at improving Soviet
American relations.
Such a move would throw the ball
back to Mascow.
President Truman and Secretary
Marshall face the task ct keeping
the way open for negotiations when
ever Russia has anything worth
while to offer, without committing
the United States to what their
advisers believe would be hope
less quest for an overall settlement
Actually, Gen. Smiths statement
to Mr.. Molotov on May 4, was more
of a warning than an invitation.
Its chief purpose, President Tru-
man emphasized in his statement
yesterday, was to impress on the
Soviet leaders the dead seriousness
with which this country Is going
ahead with its policy OF aiding
Western Europe and building up It's
defenses for self protection in the
face of Soviet expansionism.
Another objective stressed by the
President was to try to erase any
Russian suspicion that the United
States has any hostile or aggressive
designs on the Soviet.
A point emphasized by authorities
here Is that there must be specific
proposals on concrete subjects be-
fore any discussion with Russia
would be worthwhile.
3, Specific Proposals Necessary.
The United States now can wait
for the Soviet to take the initiative
in making such proposals: suggest
to Moscow possibly questions for
discussion, or ask the Russians If
they have any specific proposals to
make. The latter, course appears
to be favored by advisers to the
president and Gen. Marshall.
American authorities can think OF
no single real thing-as distinct
from worthless glittering generali-
ties-to discuss in Soviet-Ameri-
can conference that could not be
handled through normal channels
il the Russians seriously wanted q
settlement.
They emphasize that this Govern
ment has no desire for a settlement
just for appearances-that any set
tlement must be real, not just an
other piece of paper. Actually, If
Russia would live up to existing gen.
eral agreements there would be few
problems needing settlement.
Breach Of Custom.
Russian broadcasting Of the
Smith-Molotov exchange without
notice to the United States was
breach of diplomatic custom.
1t is the practice among friendly
governments to keep such CONVEX
sations in confidence until there is
mutual agreement to publish them.
Officials here were surprised at
the particular Russian action, while
realizing that it is not unusual for
the Russians to depart from normal
diplomatic procedures whenever they
see advantage to themselves in such
action.
Thus they were sure that the So
Wet leaders saw benefit to them in
publicizing this exchange. One OBJ
vious motive would be to try to give
the impression to the nervous pop
ulations of the satellite countries as
we'll as Russia itself that the United
States was seeking q settlement.
Whether planned or not, the orig
inal publicity given to the Russian
version of the exchange in this
country also served to create con-