Evening star., 1954-05-03
A Noble Sentiment, but

In his remarks to the Primrose League a.
select organization Of British Conservatives,
Prime Minister Sir winston Churchill has once
again said things indicating that he still cher
ishes the idea of staging Big Four conference
at the highest level-or If not that then at
least personal meeting between himself and
Soviet Premier Georgi Malenkov. In fact,
according to speculative comment in London, 1t
is more than possible that he will vigorously
strive for such meeting If the current Geneva
talks end in failure Gs.
This assessment of Sir Winstons intentions
is based not only on his past espousal Of
highest-level get-together that would include
President Eisenhower, but also-and particularly
ON the following passage from his talk to the
Primrose League: 1--WE should establish with
Russia links which, in spite of all distractions
and perils and contradictions, will convince the
Russian people and the Soviet government that
we wish them peace, happiness and ever
increasing and ever expanding prosperity and
enrichment of life in their own mighty land
and that we long to see them play proud and
splendid part in the guidance of the human
race"
In thus holding out an olive branch to the
Kremlin Sir Winston has voiced a strong note
of anxiety over the course Of international
events AS he has put it, the issues Of "this
and more tangled and complicated here and
abroad than I can remember in my long expert
ence" and he has made a special point OF
emphasizing the indispensability to the free
world of the "eXertionS and sacrifices" OF the
United States, without whose unrivaled power,
chaos and Subjugation might overwhelm us all"
But at the same time, as If convinced that man
kind will drift toward catastrophe unless the
Soviet Union can be persuaded to play fair ball,
he has plainly intimated that it Is Of the utmost
Importance not to be content with things as
they are-with precariouS balance of armed
strength between two opposing theological blocs
but to do whatever is possible to impress upon
the Russians the fact that the West is genuinely
eager to build good peace and have them play
q proud and splendid part" in it.
AS far as it goes, this is a noble sentiment,
and no one can reasonably quarrel with it In
that sense. But unfortunately it is sentiment
that very definitely does not seem to be shared
or reciprocated by the Kremlin. For the Malen-
kov regime, like the Stain regime before it,
has given no evidence of an honest desire to
cooperate sincerely with the Western powers
for the well-being Of the world. Instead-as
indicated by its intransigence on German unfit
cation, its renewed nastiness toward Austria, its
impossible Asian demands at Geneva, and its
cool attitude toward such things as President
Eisenhowers atoms-for- peace plant continues
to act as if it were interested only in conquering
and enslaving the entire globe.
Perhaps this overSimplifies matters, but is
there any sign-any concrete deed, as distinct
from mere words-that supports a less pessimis-
tic view of the Kremlin's attitude and objective?
Maybe Prime Minister Churchill has reason to
think so, and more power to him If he can bring
his influence to bear in way that will lead
the Malenkov regime into playing "a proud and
splendid part in the guidance Of the human
race" Meanwhile, however we must continue
to reckon with the bleak fact that there is noth-
Ing In the record of past or present Soviet
actions to encourage much hope on that score.