Evening star., 1949-04-05

sarily So"
ground: What would be the ulti-
mate reaction of Politburo men,
bers in the Kremlin in Moscow?
Would they decide. as the West
hoped, that here was an impreg-
nable force that they dare lot
attack? Or would they decide they
had better attack before that
force had time to develop its full
defensive potential? Would they
fear, in the ignorance of isolation
that they were menaced with ag-
gression from the West. and strike
out blindly to defend themselves?
Already, they had charged in
notes to the seven drafting pow
ers-the United States. Britain.
France. Canada, Belgium. LtlXem-
bourg and The Netherlands that
the pact was aggressive" and
aimed at Russia. Already, they
had had their answer. a state
ment by these seven governments
that 1t was, In fact. mot directed
against any nation or group of ma
tions, but only against armed ag-
gression."
Within u. N. Framework.
Again and again. yesterdays
speakers pointed out that tie
treaty was carefully drawn to fit
into the United Nations frame
work. Already, Yesterday, the
worlds attention was beginning to
shift forward to today's recon-
vening of the U. N. General AS
sembly in New York. for a first
sign as to the course Russia will
now pursue.
The West spared no effort get
ting the message of its peaceful
intentions across to the rest OF
the world. On raised wooden plat
forms, in the center of the audi
torium. photographers hunched
Yesterday over hundreds of tele-
vision. motion picture and still
cameras, catching the image OF
the event in it's exact colors. To
the right of the stage where the
program unfolded, in front OF the
press section. technicians adjust
ed the dials of delicate radio ma
chinery, beaming the story to
people everywhere.
In Munich, Germany. four giant
United States Army transmitters
picked it up and vaulted it over
the iron curtain into Russia. for
those who could hear to hear.
Twenty-nine transmitters Of the
Voice of America" the British
and Canadian Broadcasting Corps.
and the United States Armed
Forces network carried the full
proceedings as they occurred
while all other facilities OF the
four services presented detailed
descriptions Of the event in the
languages of the countries to
which the programs were beamed
Two Stages.
The stage of the auditorium
banked with pink and lavender
Ihydrangeas and backed with palm
fronds, was divided into two
levels. The lower level. blue
carpeted and inclosed by a red
| silk rope, held one leather chair
and polished wooden desk. This
was where the treaty was signed
| On the upper level was small
speakers rostrum. heavy-lader
with microphones. And behind the
Irostrum, in two rows on either
side, stood "a chairs for the pact
Isignatories and President Tru-
man.
In an alcove behind the plat
form were the flags OF the Il
nations.
Before the platform. In fool
seats and in the balcony. were
important officials and members
| of their families-cabinet mem.
bers, the diplomatic corps. Sena.
tors--including a number OF those
belatedly invited-and some mem
fbers of the House. There, too. II
the audience. were members Of
the working group" OF treat,
drafters, men who had toiled day.
ION end, over every syllable ant
every comma. to find the wore
formula for q treaty to which al
could agree.
Mrs. Truman Attends.
The front rows held the wivel
and children of participants IL
the signing ceremony. Mrs. Tru'
man, In a black suit and q gra,
straw hat adorned by two roses
sat tn the FIRST row. where she va