Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-06-17
Russia and q Law of Life

AFL-CIO President George Meany
has just delivered an effective address in
answer to Nikita Khrushchev's recent
televis1on remarks to the American peo-
pie. In general, the points made in the
address can hardly be disputed insofar
as they apply to the Kremlin's black
record of broken promises, systematic
treachery, COMMUNICATING subversion
and aggression, iron-fiSted tyranny, and
the kind of savage oppression we have
only lately seen in the case of such once
Independent countries as Hungary.
But even so, although these are evils
about which there can be no doubt in any
informed mind anywhere in the world,
there is some reason to question the
soundness of Mr.. Meany's basic thesis.
For this thesis, which reflects the views of
great numbers of other Americans, seems
to presuppoSe that the present interna-
tional situation will continue indefinitely,
II not for all time, despite the fact that
the world-aS so often in the past-iS now
unquestionably in period of far-reach-
ing fiux and change, socially, econom-
ically, politically and militarily.
This is fact that Mr. Meany has not
dealt with in his address. Instead, holding
that Soviet aggression and expansion
have been blocked in recent years pri-
marily by American nuclear superiority
"a superiority that can be very fleeting),
ne has declared that the Kremlin Is un-
alterably dedicated to the objective of
destroying the United States and winning
complete domination of the world. In
0fhar U0rdc 1ty1ika Dracidoo@ E;.o~Lo-,o.
or Secretary Dulles, for instance, he APP
pears to rule out the possibility Of an
evolutionary change for the better with
IN Red Russia and its captive empire. And
by the same token, diSmissing the idea
that men like Mr.. Khrushchev conceivably
may be sincere when they talk of peace
ful coexiStence," he seems convinced
that humanity has nothing better to hope
Tor than an everlasting atomic-hydroge
stalemate in which the USSR will cease
lessly plot to wipe out our country and
become the unchallenged master of the
entire globe.
Perhaps the passage Of time will
vindicate this bleak view, but we doubt it.
We doubt 1t because we think there is
enough external evidence to support the
following more hopeful thesis: az With
out Stain, the men of the Kremlin can
not govern their empire along strictly
StaliniSt lines. (2) In that respect the
process Of change-on the whole a change
Tor the better-is by no means yet over
behind the Iron Curtain. 81 There is real
ferment, real mass reStiveness, in that
part OF the world, and the Communist
tyranny must soften itself accordingly.
az The old Marxist-Leninist dogmas are
obsolete In the acknowledgement age,
which means that Mr.. Khrushchev and
company must make necessary adjust
ments. (5) The Soviet leaders, besides
having to worry about grave discomfort
In the captive lands, are finding that gen.
eral education within the USSR is build
ing up pressures against their domestic
brand Of despotism. And (6) these men
fully realize that Red Russia could be
obliterated with A and H weapons. and
they are therefore deeply anxious to work
out some sort Of disarmament agreement
as step toward preventing another all
out war.
These are but few OF the considera-
tons TO be kept In mind as the world