Evening star., 1953-03-08
Taft Doubts Power
OF MaIenkoV, Says
PoIitburo Is Ruler
By J. A. o'Leory

Senator Taft, Republican, Of
Ohio, said last night a struggle
for power in Russia is still pos
sible. despite the promptness
with which Georgi Malenkov was
named to succeed Premier Stain.
II don't think it necessarily
indicates he (Malenkov) has the
same position Stain occupied"
the Majority Leader said. "1t is
possible there might still be
struggle for control"
The Ohioan expressed his be-
lief that the dictatorship is in
the Politburo, rather than in the
new chairman of the Council of
Ministers, and that only time
will tell whether Malenkov wieldS
the same influence Stain had
built up.
AS to whether the change in
leadership in Russia would make
an early meeting of the heads of
State advisable. top-ranking
members of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee agreed that
the White House and the State
Department are in a better posi-
ton to determine that question.
Initiative Up to Leaders.
Chairman Wiley of Foreign
Relations said that, IF the op-
portunity presents itself, the new
administration should give it
earnest consideration"
LAS to whether the admins
tration leaders should take the
initiative is for them to decide"
Senator Wiley added. They
have the best conception of the
timing
Il don't think we ought to
close any avenue to a possible
peaceful solution of the worlds
difficulties, said Senator George
of Georgia, ranking Democrat on
foreign relations.
George Agrees With Wiley.
Senator George agreed with
Chairman Wiley that the White
House should decide whether
and when such a meeting would
be advisable. Referring to PreSi-
dent Eisenhower's recent state
ment that he would be willing to
go halfway to meet any one on
world problems if there appeared
to be a chance it would promote
peace, Senator George said:
Il think the Presidents atti-
tude is a correct one. It may be
possible that some meeting will
occur, and that some progress
can be made. I don't think we
ought to foreclose any posi-
bility." -
In the meantime, however,
Senator George said, the United
States cannot assume any fundAe
mental change in Russian policy,
and must continue to follow its /
present course in the world.
Bohlen Vote Due Tuesday.
Senator Wiley said I'VE have |
got to hope and pray the new |
leaders of Russia will recognize |
the need for international COL
laboration for peace. Mean
while. this government must be
extremely realistic and not for
get that the political philosophy
of Stain has become the phi
losophy of the new leaders"
Asked if he thought new in
ternational conference would be
useful at this time. Senator Taft
replied: Il am not going to
suggest to the State Department !
how they should handle the sit
uation."
The Foreign Relations Com |
mittee will meet Tuesday after
noon to vote on the nomination !
of Charles E. Bohlen, counselor
of the State Department. to be !
Ambassador to Moscow. and the |
Senate probably will confirm him |
Wednesday
The committee also may decide |
Tuesday whether to pigeon-hole |
the Eisenhower resolution, con-
demning Russian enslavement OF
other peoples. in view of the con-
troversey which has developed
over the form it should take.