Evening star., 1951-11-29
Thinking With The
NIIDRIFF
An Editorial
in The Wall Street Journal

An Editorial
in The Wall Street Journal
The Russians have accused the United States of
subversive activities intended to overthrow the
Russian government, which is probably an all time
record in the category of the pot remarking about
the dark complexion of the kettle.
The ludicrous phase of the accusation is obvious
But it has its serious phase too for it is part of
case history of the tendency of the United States
to blow alternately hot and cold in international
matters and to take action according to the emo
tons of the moment
From 1918, when the Soviet government was
founded, until 1888 the American attitude toward
recognition of that government was consistent un-
der successive secretaries of state of both political
parties. Certain conditions were set up for Ameri-
recognition of Russia and one of the conditions
was that the Russians should cease their propa-
ganda activities in this country. In 1888 that con-
diion for all practical purposes was dropped.
In that year Maxim Ltvnov came to Washing
ton to negotiate recognition. He gave ready lip
service to the propaganda condition. Actually the
propaganda never ceased but was stepped up Mr..
Litvinov knew it would not cease So did the Amer
lean officials who negotiated with him.
Mr.. Litvinov was kind of hero in Washington
although he no longer was in Moscow People
contrived to meet him and entertain him. There
were some people who did refuse to participate in
the popular craze of having crush on Mr. Litvinov
and who inquired what benefits this country ex-
pected from Russian recognition that justified Civ
ing up principle But these people were classed
as just old mossbacks and probably "red -baiters"
as we'll So Russia got recognition without adequate
guarantees.
Now the wheel has turned completely. Once we
went out of our way to recognize government,
which was then just what it is now. Now we adopt
policy which the Russians can exaggerate into
charge that we are trying to overthrow their gov
eminent. That is not actually the official policy
whatever might be individual wishes in the matter
but we have given the Russians an excellent
propaganda handle.
As newspaper which never had illusions about
Russia, we feel free to raise the question whether
the latter policy does not also spring from emotion
and whether it is basically any intelligent than
swallowing Mr.. Litvinov whole
If we overthrew Stain what would take his
place? Something better or worse? Suppose there
should rise up Russian Napoleon who could or
ganize and inspire the vast Russian manpower?
Beyond that what right has the United States to in
fuence the kind of government other people have?
In the first world war a condition of peace was
the abdication of the Hohenzollerns. Hitler fol-
lowed
In the second world war we demanded uncondi-
tional surrender. We got PROSTATE Germany on
which we have spent billions and considerable
part of which is the satellite of Staln
Fortunately we did not demand the abdcation of
the japanese emperor. There we stopped short of
our full war aim and Japan is being rebuilt.
Now what do we want of Russia? Obviously we
want Russia to quit subversive activities and to
abandon military threats toward other nations
Then why not emphasize those limited purposes
and make them clear? And as we have said repeat
edly in these columns recently why not by dplo-
matte means begin to tackle the obstacles to achiev
ing them?
If our purpose is indeed what the Russians say it
is that of overthrowing the government of Russia
then there can be no outcome except war, because
the men in charge of the Russian government will
not be overthrown until they have exhausted every
means of saving themselves.