Milford chronicle., 1956-12-28
sGrass-ROots Diplomacy" Works

"UraSS-hOObS DIplOIndcy WOFkS
In France, Christmas of 1856
marked the fourth anniversary of
one of the most remarkable and
successful experiments in inter
national understanding ever under
taken by anyone anywhere.
This is the Friendship Chain"
or Chaine D'Amitie, as the French
call it. The Chain, which makes it
possible for American CTS to dis
cover the true nature of the French
people by being invited into their
homes, is the idea of a courageous
American woman, Therese Bonney,
a distinguished former war CORES
pondent and for six months, an OSS
agent behind the lines in Finland.
During the past four years, more
than $500 young American draftees
have been welcomed into French
homes as a son of the family. Many
have gone again and again to
visit the same family. And those
who have returned home brought a
little of France with them in close
personal ties that are nourished by
correspondence and will remain
for life. And in France they have
left an understanding and regard
for this country that we know by
now can not be purchased. This
interchange is what Miss Bonney
calls "grass-roots diplomacy. And
it is succeeding in establishing af-
fectionate regard for each other
among ever-increasing thousands
of French families and young A
mericans-where bureaucratic ef-
forts have been notably inept.
But the Chaine D'Amitie is still
very much a one-woman operation
Since it's inception Miss Bonney
has given her full time to this cru
sade and paid her own expenses
year after year out of her own
pocket. French businessmen and
Frenchmen in many walks of life
have rallied to her support with
gifts in cash and cooperation that
would be the equivalent of $4,000
Considering the billions America
has lavished on foreign aid, it would
appear that Uncle Sam might take
an interest in this brilliantly sue
cessful work. Despite unanimous
endorsement of American com
manders and chap1ains at the base
level, the policy bound Defense
Department finds no formula foI
assistance for the Friendship Chain
But Miss Bonney, who is carrying
on a gallant fight to match the
contributions of the French, is not
downhearted. She has expanded the
Chain into eight other European
countries where already, American
CTS have spent their Christmas
leave and looks forward to the day
when it will be extended to include
students. professors ION sabbatica
leaves and young business execu
tives who travel abroad for the
first time and who can pick up the
goodwill crusade where the CT.
leave off.
Washington, we think, should fine
the answer.
s. x 4 i
HOw's That Again?
We are little confused by som,
of the explanations. of u. S. polio!
given to the press by Secretary o
State Dulles on his return from
the NATO Conference in Paris.
Asked whether the present Rus
sian uncertainty over the loyalty o
satellite troops suggests any re
vision in NATO forces, the Secre
tary appeared to be saying tina
Soviet forces are still far too larg'
to consider NATO reductions.
If the satellites were to "becom'
genuinely independent nations" h,
said, that would justify a genera
review of the situation" But h
went on to say that, as both he ant
the President had previously mad'
clear, "the u. S. has no pur
pose at all to turn these satellit,
countries into our allies; in thi
sense that we have no desire t.
surround the Soviet Union witt
band of hostile states :"
This statement would seem t,
raise once more the question of jus
how did we expect the satellites t,
interpret the verbal pep-talks an'
encouragement that the Voice o
America and Radio Free Europ'
have been 1svishing upon them
And further. if-as Mr.. Dulles say
he satellite nations shoult
achieve genuine independence, i
the free world to ignore them, o
welcome them into the grand ALI