Evening star., 1952-02-08
What Good Would Ii Do?

Il
In calling for an immediate severance OF
diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and
Its satellites, Senator Ferguson has advanced q
proposal that reflects a strong body Of senti-
ment both in Congress and throughout the coun-.
try at large. However, although it merits atten-
tion, it obviously is not the sort of idea that
we can afford to adopt in hot-tempered haste.
or without very careful advance study to
determine whether 1t really Is as sensible ais 1t
may look at first glance whether 1t would In
fact serve our own best interests, or whether
its net effect in the long run would be to do
more harm than good. Certainly nothing could
be less statesmanlike than to 60 ahead with it
primarily on the basis of an emotional desire to
get even with the other fellow.
That desire, OF course, is altogether under
standable. The tyrannieS behind the Iron Cur
tain, wholly aside from their other evils, have
long since abandoned normal diplomatic prac-
tices and courtesies. Step by STEP progressing
from irritating little pinpricks and minor acts
Of rudeness to a systematic program Of viliflca-
ton and harassment, the Soviet Empire has been
steadily heaping indignities on our representa-
tives, rigidly restricting their freedom of travel,
shadowing them by day and night, assailing
them as espionage agents, and In general MAX
ing life Increasingly uncomfortable for them.
In the circumstances it is not surprising, but
only natural, that many Americans are In favor
Of retaliating in kind and that Senator Ferguson
has gone to the length Of advocating complete
break in relations until these Communists learn
how to live properly in the free worlds family
of nations"
Actually, this "get-even- -with-'em" mood has
already been translated into such limited-scale
action as the travel restrictions imposed on Ro-
manian and Hungarian personnel here In Wash-
ington. Moreover, a Federal interagency com-
mittee is now preparing to pass upon State
Department proposal to order similar restric-
tions for all other Red satellite representatives
and for the Russians as well-a proposal drawn
up solely and simply to retaliate for the Krem-
Inns recent decree greatly expanding the areas
and number of cities In the Soviet Union where
American diplomatic officials are forbidden to
set foot In effect, when and If it is put into
force, the projected order will place us in the
position OF aping system we despise, but the
order-apart from that unpleasant aspect and
apart from the problem Of detailing agents to
make Il work-will add up to fair quid- -pro-quo
treatment s 8&4
But should we also sever all relations with
the world behind the Iron Curtain? At time
when George F. Kennan is preparing to go to
Moscow as our new Ambassador, should we give
even second thought to the idea of such
far-reaching breaka Mr.. Ferguson with some
support among his colleagues-has answered
with . vehement ..yes Z his argument being that
the action would teach the Communists a lesson
In good manners, that nothing is accomplished
by showing our nag In the Red capitals, and
that anyhow because OF the harsh restrictions
over there, our embassies and legations have
become ineffective as @listening posts" II only
for emotional reasons, q lot Of people undoubt-
edly agree with this view, but that does not
necessarily make it either sound or realistic, no
matter how much it may promise to satisfy the
desire to retaliate.
After all, getting even just for the sake OF
getting even, giving tit for tat merely to CONF
pensate for outraged feelings Is not statesman
ship In and Of itself. AS far as our own coun-
try goes, craftsmanship in these perilous times
when our prime immediate objectives are to
end the Korean war, build up our security and
ease international tensions-muSt express itself
in actions that will best serve our national In
terests and nourish the possibility Of decent
peace Perhaps MIR. Ferguson's proposal can be
reconciled with that. but its wisdom viii remain
very much open to question unless and until
1t is indorsed by our diplomatic experts, our in
telligence authorities, our defense leaders and
others especially well qualified to pass judgment
on so grave matter.