Evening star., 1948-03-11
Crisis Seen in Makino
That Could Bring on
War Against Russia
BY David Laurence

BY David Laurence
A world crisis that could mean
war between the democracies and
Russia is in the making.
Russia has -overplayed her hand
Her rulers evidently believe that
the western democracies, having
withdrawn virtually all their troops
from continental Europe, are too
sick and tired of war to stand un
and defend human freedom against
aggression.
Hitler made the same mistake
IN 1888 when he misunderstood,
as sign OF weakness, efforts to
settle peacefully the tangled ques-
tions involving Czechoslovakia.
Today the democracies are strong
enough to speak frankly and firmly
to Russia and to demand that
Russia cease her interference with
the independence of other states.
Nobody wants war. Yet, strangely
enough, there is a substantial SEN
timent in many countries, including
the United States, in favor of ascer-
tanning whether Russia means to
continue her aggression in defiance
OF world opinion and of putting
stop to such aggression by war If
necessary.
Action Must Be Calculated.
When Secretary Marshall said
that the world situation is very,
very serious" and allowed himself
to be quoted concerning the pas
sions being aroused in America
by Russias reckless course, he was
underlining by implication the un-
warranted behavior of Russia.
The immediate step is not mo-
bilization for war. Rather 1t lies
In what Secretary Marshall said
about not acting impulsively or out
OF mere passion or anger. He spoke
Of action to be taken that must
be coldly calculated. This means
undoubtedly that America must
speak firmly to Russia and risk
the chance that Russia may not
cease her aggression, in which case
measures of force must be en-
ployed preferably through q con-
cert Of power among the democ-
racies.
The United Nations was estab-
lished to deal with war or threats
OF war and particularly to examine
acts Of aggression. The Czechoslo-
yak Ambassador Of the legal gov
ernment which existed in Prague
up to February 20 has taken the
initiative in laying a complaint be-
fore the Security Council. If his
communication is regarded as in
valid because he no longer repre-
sents the existing government, any
nation may bring such a matter
TO the attention Of the Security
Council.
The merit Of the complaint al
ready filed Is that it brings to the
Security Council formal notice of a
change in the status of the Czecho-
slovakian republic and emphasizes
that interference from the outside,
by the Russian government, has
been factor in that altered status.
II ever there Is to be crisis that
the United Nations was born to
deal with. 1t is the one facing it to-
day. If the U. N. sidesteps the issue
In maze of bubbles and technicali-
ties, it will be encouraging Russia
to 60 ahead with further aggression
in the belief that the countries max
ing up the security council are too
craven to say what they think or to
make clear the line beyond which
Russia must not go If she is to keep
the peace.
Testing Period Ahead.
The American people don't want
war now or at any time But they
do not relish living in reign of ter
ror, waiting with deep anxiety from
week to week to learn whether an
aggressor government is bent on
gophling up its small neighbors and
then confronting the world with a
e-it-or-leave-it accomplishment.
Italy stands on the brink. If Italy
succumbs to Russian influence,
France will have hard time keep
ing out Of the Russian orbit. Soon
an entire continent may be in the
hands of Communistic rulers.
II, as many here believe, Russia
Is bluffing her way through Europe
then a call to halt might prove ef-
fective. But Secretary Marshall is |
trained in that school of thought
which doesn't believe in using
strong words unless the nation is
willing to back them up If need be
with prompt action.
What lies ahead is a testing pc
riod. Does American opinion favor
a firm policy toward Russia and, if
so, will America be ready to back
up such step if Russia defies our
firm policy? Obviously the Govern
ment and especially Secretary Mar
shall will not do anything to pro-
woke passion or war fever The fact
that the Secretary of State, how
ever, has allowed himself to be
quoted as saying the situation Is
serious and that passions are being
aroused will be reported through
out the globe, including Moscow. If
the Russians want to keep the
peace, maybe they will take the hint
in Mr.. Marshall's restrained Ian
guase and implicit warning. 1t will
be interesting to see whether Rus
sia recedes a bit and slaves off the
crisis or blunders ahead in disregard
Of the warnings being directed to
her. There is no exaggerating the
nature of the crisis which is in the
making today.
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