Evening star., 1953-02-24
Peace, Russia and the u. N.

The seventh session OF the United Nations
General Assembly-in recess since December 20
-reconvenes in New York today in an atmos-
phere that contains little or no promise of a
near-future change for the better in the inter-
national situation. This is so because the Soviet
Union seems quite determined to adhere to the
peace-blighting course 1t has followed ever since
the end of the Second World War.
In the weeks that have passed since the
Assemblys last meeting, the Government Of the
United States has undergone great transition
from Democratic to Republican control. But
nothing has happened in the meantime to sug
gest that the men of the Kremlin have moder-
ated their aggressive intransigence to adjust
themselves to this change or to the new, posi-
tive foreign policy" that President Eisenhower
has decided upon in an effort to end what he
has called the free worlds state of "paralyzed
tension" On the contrary, all signs indicate
that the Soviet dictatorship, in addition to in
tensifying its te-America campaign, fully in
tends to remain as uncompromising as ever.
That is why Ambassador Henry Cabot
Lodge, jr., the new chief of our American delse
CATION to the United Nations, has taken dim
view of the idea that the General Assembly may
be able, at this stage, to make any real progress
toward settling the biggest and grimmest issue
on it's agenda-the issue of Korea Foreign Min
lister Vishinsky will be present at the sessions
with high-powered group of Soviet represent
ativeS, but he is expected to do little more than
give voice to vilifying propaganda against the
United States and the free West in general AS
Mr.. Lodge has put it, II don't think the Rus
slams want to discontinue the Korean war. AS
long as they have that attitude, there is no use
toe-dancing around in the u N. on the question
and splitting hairs"
Prior to recessing in December, the Assem-
bly-by vote of IS to (the Soviet bloc alone
dissenting adopted India's compromise propo-
sal on the prisoner of war question. The ac-
ceptance of the proposal-which the over
whelming majority will not retreat from-iS all
that is needed to bring about an armiStice in
Korea. But the Kremlin, together with it's Pei
ping and Pyongyang co-conSpirators, has made
clear that it will agree to nothing but its own
terms Accordingly, barring the remote poSsl-
bility of a completely unexpected reversal OF
policy the Russians at the U. NJ can be counted
upon to continue voting against anything de-
signed to stop the hostilities. Apparently they
find it advantageous and profitable at this time
to block genuine peace-promoting settlement.
Other items on the Assembly's agenda-
such as disarmament, atomic control, proposals
for an impartial inquiry into the Soviet lie
about u NJ germ warfare, and the choice OF
new Secretary General to succeed Trygve Lie
seem similarly destined for rough treatment
from the Russians. OF course, as Mr. Lodge has
said, they may surprise everybody with sud-
denly changed attitude, in which case they Will
find the United States and the entire free world
ready and willing to work out live-and-let-
live understanding with them. Right now, how
ever, nothing could seem more unlikely than
reformation on their part-reformation OF a
sort that would end their hate-inciting propa-
ganda and open the way for progress toward
decent peace. --s---..-...-@