Evening star., 1950-02-21
u. U.S.Pubnc9entiment ).
Calls for Adjustment
OF Russian Relations
Plan Is Advanced for
Commission on Each Side
To Study Other Country
By David Laurence


The American people have
manifested in various ways that
they want their Government to
make some approach to the ad-
justment of relations with Russia
Unmistakable evidence of that
sentiment mas come to all
branches Of the Government.
This sentiment, however, does
not imply "appeasement" as the
term is generally used. nor does
it convey any impression of ma
tional weakness. Rather it is a
sign of the desire of the American
people to do everything possible
to avoid future war-if there is
anything practical that can be
done.
Inasmuch as the public appar-
emily is not satisfied that one
mans decision-either in the
State Department or in the White
House or in any one government
anyWhere-is adequate for the
present emergency, ways and
means of satisfying this anxiety
naturally will be examined.
There is one plan that has been
suggested at different times in
past diplomatic history which
might well be given new consid-
GRAFTON. 1t is a practical substi-
tute for Stain Truman meeting
1t involves the appointment Of two
national commissions. One would
be appointed by the President and
Secretary of State of the United
States and the other by the Mos
COW government. Both commits
sions would be composed of lead
ers-not necessarily officials-but
neither commission would be en-
powered to make commitments for
either government.
Both Sides Would Report.
Instead, when the American
commission went to Moscow, it
would lay before the Russian au-
thorities its understanding of the
past diplomatic relations and
would endeavor to explore every
source of misunderstanding, all
previous agreements or treaties,
all economic as we'll as political
questions arising between the two
countries, and would make a re-
port thereon back to the Govern
ment and the people of this coun-
try.
Similarly, Russian commission
that would come to Washington
would explain its viewpoint to
various branches Of the American
Government so that a comprehen-
sive study Of the issues would be
made.
This Is not an arbitration tri-
bunal, nor Is 1t a substitute for
diplomatic ENJOYS who usually
represent the State Department
or the office Of foreign affairs in
governments abroad. 1t would be
what is known as "a commission
Of investigation"
. For many years before World
War I the United States signed
treaties. with nearly all the coun-
tries Of the world embodying this
lprinciple Of commission of in
Ivestigation. Those treaties con-
tanned a clause whereby both sides
agreed not to engage in hostilities
for a period of nine months dur
ing which the commissions would
investigate disputes.
Advantage Of Commission.
In the present instance there Is
no need to cucumber the situation
with an advance agreement not to
resort to war within a specified
period-if that proves an obstacle
though any such agreement
would be healthful and stimu-
lating. Instead of nine months,
the period could, of course, be at
least three years. 1t will take a
long time anyhow for the rela-
tions between the East and West
to be fully adjusted, If a definite
period is specified for the study,
there could, of course, be a pro-
vision to extend for further Pc
riods by mutual agreement.
The advantage of the commits
sion idea is that it gets at the
facts to the satisfaction of each
side. Fact-flnding bodies need
not make recommendations but.
in this case, it would BE- natural
for distinguished body of Amer
lean citizens, representing the
best minds in diplomacy, business
and finance, agriculture, labor,
education and the clergy, to make
recommendations for a solution.
This approach would be very
helpful in the event that q break
did come-for it would satisfy
American public opinion that a
genuine effort had been made to
avert another war. Likewise, such
an approach could help the Presi-
dent and the State Department to
formulate a long-range policy
with the knowledge that American
public opinion was united behind
the commissions appraisal OF the
situation.
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