Evening star., 1948-03-19
Denunciation Of Soviet
By United Nations Is
Likely 10 Be Sought
Russiu Dare Not Risk War
Because Of Her Economic
Weakness, Is Belief Here
Bv David Laurence

'SF - ~ htSsS
By David Laurence
The United States Government,
speaking through its President, has
branded the Russian government as
an aggressor and as growing
menace" to peace.
This fact, which may take little
while to sink in throughout the
world, has changed almost over
night the relations between Russia
and the United States.
While the President said nothing
new, it is the fact that he said it
formally, officially, forthrightly
which creates a situation of the
utmost gravity.
Having proclaimed Russia an ag-
gressor, what steps now will be tax
en- to stop that aggression?
First Move Seen in U. N.
The United States is not disclos-
ing its strategy. But the first step
unquestionably Is to bring Russia
before the bar of the United Ma.
tions and secure a worldwide de-
nunciation of Russian aggression.
Whether the Soviet representatives
walk out of the United Nations or
seek to block debate and final re-
port denouncing the Communist
seizure of the Czechoslovakian gov
eminent is less important now than
1t was before Mr.. Truman spoke
to Congress.
The President of the United States
now has notified both Houses of
Congress that Russia is engaged in
a campaign of aggression and that
it is the duty of this country to
thwart such a program.
Because the United States be-
lieves in collective action, it may be
said that America will join in pledg-
ing help to the five-power military
alliance just signed at Brussels and
will endeavor also to mobilize Latin
American opinion behind the next
steps, whatever they may be-
There is not the slightest inten-
tion to bring on a war by any steps
that could be remotely character
lied as provocative. If war comes, it
will be because the Soviet rulers
have gone beyond the line to inter-
fere in the internal affairs of other
states by coercive methods.
If the smaller countries in Eu-
rope neighboring Russia want Com
munist rule, they have a right to
vote for it, but the tactics of in
tilnidation and coercion engaged in
by Russian agents and lieutenants
indicate that free elections are not
to be permitted.
The position Of the United States
Is that each country has right to
choose its own form Of government
and that the nations listed by Presi-
dent Truman on Wednesday did not
have that opportunity but became
the victims of Russian intrigue and
outright aggression.
What is the next step? For the
moment, the President and Secre-
tary Marshall believe Congress has
the decision in its hands. Will the
National Legislature indicate its
support of a program that looks
toward military help for the five
powers? Will the Congress build up
our armed forces and give the Presi-
dent power to use them instantly to
defend free countries when their re-
spective governments appeal to us
officially for help?
The program OF universal military
training is important but by no
means the significant factor in the
revelation Of congressional support
for firm policy toward Russia. Nor
is revival of the draft system by It
self the only thing that can be done
to impress Russia with American
earnestness.
Other Steps Possible.
There are other steps which can
be taken under existing authority
possessed by the President as Com
mander in Chief of the Army and
Navy.
Russia knows now that the United
States Government regards her as a
potential enemy of the peace. Rus
sia knows that the President has
asked for a partial mobilization Of
military resources. Will this affect
Russian policy? It may take little
while to get some inkling Of what
the leaders in the Kremlin intend
to do.
It is thought inconceivable that
Moscow is ill-informed about the
sternness of the American attitude.
II Russia wants to risk war, she can
easily bring 1t on through incidents
developed by her satellite states at
Trieste or In Greece or elsewhere in
Europe.
If Russia does not want war, she
can show a conciliatory attitude and
begin to make agreements on some
of the outstanding issues left un-
settled since VI Day.
Curiously enough, the expectation
Is that Russia will moderate her
policy and will not risk war The
general reaction here to the Presi-
dents message Is that Mr.. Truman
spoke the views of all parties and
groups interested in upholding free
institutions in the world.
Also, it is felt that, while Russia
may vince under the strong con-
dennation of her course expressed
in the Presidents message, she does
not dare mobilize for war because
she Is economically weak. Russia,
moreover, would bring on serious
internal trouble If she began a re-
mobilization. Her people have suf-
fered far more from war than have
the American people. War seems to
be possibility but not probability
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