Evening star., 1950-03-02
Mr.. McMohon and the Hard Rock

WI. ViSVVUIUH Uuu Tic JIUJU NOSN
Impressive as they may seem at first glance,
Senator McMahons impassioned proposals for a
new approach" to what he calls the atomic
hydrogen crisis" raise more questions than they
answer. In spirit and purpose-although
here and there they may be emotonally over
wrought or rhetoricaly "souped-up"-they are
undenably good. And certainly, since they re-
fleet the sincere sentiments of an American
uniquely we'll informed on the subject, they
deserve respectful attention. particularly because
there is widespread anxiety at this time over
the issue of whether the United States is doing
enough to arrive at an agreement with Russia.
What Mr.. Mcmahon wants above everything
is what all sane people want. He wants to put
an end to the nuclear afmaments race before it
leads, willy-nilly to war that could bring about
the virtual extinction of humanity. Having in
mind the incidental fact that that race, if it
continues year after year, will steadily under
mine our free-enterprise economy and put
deadly blight on our traditional liberties, he
advocates program of spectacular action to
reach the hearts and minds of the great masses
living in ignorance behind the Iron Curtain, to
establish real contact between the free world and
the world of the Soviet Union, and in general to
carry on such a powerful moral crusade for
peace" that the Kremlin will find itself compelled
to cooperate.
To that end, Mr. Mcmahon proposes, among
other things: Cd That we Immediately have talks
with our allies abroad in order to dispel their
doubts about our intentions and to work out
with them new approach" to the current crisis;
CD that the Council of the 12-nation Atlantic
Pact be promptly organized to mobilize all men
OF good will in an effort to create climate for
peace" by means of a gigantic propaganda drive
designed to "hurl the weight of the free worlds
conscience against the Iron Curtain; and 60
that we insist upon holding meeting of the u. N.
General Assembly in Moscow to negotiate final
settlement with the Soviet Union after the
Climate for peace" has been established and
after we and our overseas friends, besides having
come to fixed conclusions on an atomic hydrogen
control plan, have unified our basic policies in
every other major field.
AS far as propaganda and full meeting of
Western minds are concerned, Mr.. McMahon's
proposals make considerable sense. Otherwise,
however, they seem to be more than little
confusing. This is so because he has been at
pains to emphasize not only his Endorsement of
the key elements of our foreign policy (Which is
against new approaches") but also his convic-
ton that the world cannot support anything
short of the essentials of the atomic plan already
approved by the overwhelming majority of the
United Nations, but steadfastly and uncompro-
ullSlIlSly IcJtCttu ny AIclIlllI ~
is difficult to see just how his program can get
anywhere as long as this hard rock of Soviet
nay-saying-which has repeatedly demonstrated
its imperviousness to earnest appeals-refuses to
melt.
Actually, eloquent though they are, Mr..
McMahons views leave number of key ques-
tions unanswered. Suppose, for example, the
Kremlin agreed to his idea for kind of show
down meeting of the General Assembly in
Moscow. What If that meeting ended in a total
deadlock? Would we not then have to consider
the situation so hopeless and critical as to make
war seem imminent? Or suppose the Russians,
at such meeting concurred in everything pro-
posed by the West and solemnly pledged them
selves to cooperate? In face of all their broken
promises to date, could we have faith in their
word? Who among us would have that faith?
Would Mr.. Mcmahon, who sonly yesterday de-
clared that "I for one will never trust dictator
who wields absolute power within a secret
world?
That about sums up the situation The Soviet
Union is a dictatorship welding absolute power
within secret world. Until 1t becomes much less
dctatorial, much less absolutist, and much les.
secretive, it will remain hard rock against
which Mr.. McMahon's proposals-like fine bird!
seeking to break through some barrier to freedom
will beat their wings in vain. We may hop,
otherwise, but let us not delude ourselves on tha
score.