Evening star., 1949-02-04
President Reaffirrns
Rejection Of Soviet
Peace 0vertures

The American Government
has had its final say on the new
peace" overtures from Russia
and its position is unchanged.
President Truman made this clear
at a news conference late yesterday
when he said fatty that Secretary
OF State Acheson had covered the
matter completely and thoroughly
on Wednesday.
The President referred to the Sec
retary's discussion of the commune
cations sent by Prime Minister
Stain to the International News
Service expressing willingness to
discuss the cold war" with Presi-
dent Truman in some country east
OF the iron curtain.
Mr.. Acheson's statement, made to
. news conference, added up to an
outright rejection. and affirmed the
position always taken by Mr.. Tru-
man: That the Chief Executive
would be glad to talk to the Russian
leader-but in Washington.
Talks Outside u. N. Barred,
The President took this same tack
again yesterday. He recalled that
he had invited Prime Minister
Stain to Washington when they
were at Potsdam. and had said later
that he would be glad to see him
here. That, said the President, was
as far as he could 60.
In response to another question,
Mr.. Truman said there would be no
peace discussions with Russia out
side the framework of the United
Nations. even though some other
countries might take part.
This, too, was consistent with the
position taken earlier by Mr.. Tru-
man, who has commented often
that outside conferences by member
nations had contributed to the
downfall of the League of Nations.
AS a result of the Presidents un-
yielding stand, diplomatic author
ities agreed today that the next
move in the Moscow Washing ton
maneuvering is up to the Kremlin.
Possible Soviet Courses.
Two possible major lines of So
Wet action were foreseen here:
l. A new blast at the United
States for rejecting Mr.. Stains
peace" statements. This might be
coupled with the familiar Russian
argument that while Moscow seeks
an improvement in east-west re-
lations the United States is maneu-
vering toward war.
2. Some specific proposal for al
settlement of one or more outstand-
ing issues along the lines laid down
by President Truman and Secre-
tary Acheson.
While these two American leaders
have slammed shut the door on
any kind Of direct meeting between
Mr.. Truman and Mr. Stain, it isl
agreed that they have left the way
open for the Russians, if they want
to end such struggles as that over
Berlin, to come forward with pro-
posals for action through estab-
Ished diplomatic channels.
Mr.. Trumans assertion that the
United States would not go outside
the framework OF the United Ma
tions to enter into talks with Russia
or other powers on the world sit
uation was interpreted at the State
Department to mean not only such
U. N. agencies as the Security Coun-
Gil and General Assembly, but also
other related agencies such as
the Council of Foreign Min
listers whose responsibility for han
ding the problems growing out of |
World War II is indirectly recog-
nized in the United Nations charter. |
However, White House Press Sec
retary Charles G.. Ross said this
morning that Mr.. Truman's state
ment did not preclude further meet
ings Of the Foreign Ministers
Council, set up under the Potsdam
conference. Mr.. Ross added that he
knew of no plans at present for a
BIG Four ministers meeting