Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-08
The Pudding Needs Proof

The State Department has done well
in sounding cautionary note against
overoptimistic interpretations of the
great shakeup in Moscow. Since the
Kremlin itself has loudly declared that
Messrs. Molotov. Malenkov and Kagan-
ovich have been ousted largely because
Of their intrigueS against peace-promot-
ing policies, some Americans have tended
to Jump to the conclusion that the So
Wet Union may now undergo basic
change for the better and take prompt
action to ease international tensions.
But this is prospect that remains very
much to be seen, and unless or until it
begins to materialize in concrete form,
we had better not bank on it.
It seems true, Of course, that almost
anything can happen in todays fast
moving world and so the possibility of
a fundamental Soviet transformation is
not to be dismissed entirely. But pos
sibility is one thing and probability
another, and in the present instance the
possibility still looks much too remote
to warrant an outbreak of unrestrained
optimism. Certainly, as the State De-
partment has warned through Lincoln
White, its press off1cer, the proof of this
particular pudding lies in the eating
thereof. Does the Molotov- Malenkov-
Kaganovich purge really precurSe a
wholesome change in the Kremlin'S pol
icies? Is 1t a reliable indication that
RuSSia'S surviving collective leaders,
having rid themselves of colleagues al
legedly in favor of perpetuating tensions
are genuinely anxious to promote a
good peace? If so, If these men are sin
cerely interested in working out an hon.
est and enduring EaSt-West settlement,
they can demonstrate their good faith
readily enough. Meanwhile, as long as
they fail to demonstrate it, we must
continue to stay completely on guard.
The proof of the pudding, in other
words, must first be had before we can
safely regard the Kremlin's latest polit-
zeal upheaval as an encouraging sign.
And this proof, as the State Department
has said through Mr.. White, must take
the specific form of evidence showing
whether or not the Soviet Union will
now proceed with practical measures di-
rected toward achieving just solutions
to such important international prob
lens" as control Of the arms race, the
reunif1cation of Germany, and the ease
ment of tensions in the still-explosive
Middle East. Clearly, If they are in ear
nest about wanting to coexiSt peace
fully with the West in a decent and
trustworthy system Of collective Secu-
rity, RusSia'S leaders will vote for some
progress toward disarmament, will end
their nay-saying on the German ques-
ton, and will stop doing sinister things
like supplying Egypt with three subma-
rineS, whose presence in the Mediter-
ranean or Gulf of Aqaba can only serve
to aggravate the Arab Israeli Situa-
ton and nourish anxiety and trouble
throughout that highly sensitive part of
the world.
Radio Moscow, in a rather self
righteous reply to the State Depart
ment'S pointed observations, has beamed
to the American people assurances that
the spectacular changes in the Soviet
hierarchy mean that the Kremlin is de-
termined to adhere to its policy of seek
Ing ITO live peacefully side by side with
all countries and to do everything pos
sible to improve our relations and CO.
operation with the U. S. A." These are
fine words, but they have been heard
many times before, and they have yet
to be translated into deeds. Quite OBJ
viously, until the deeds are Forthcoming.
the pudding's proof will be lacking, and
we and the free world at large will be
well-advised to remain vigilant and ade-
uuately armed.