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Show l.,V.A,iA.Mir;r.t,i f,: .... --j United Nations' Parleys First Real Solidarity Test Russia Seen as Vital Factor in World A ' f" Organization; Mutual Understanding -Essential to Worth-While Peace. By BAUKHAGE News Analyst and Commentator. WSV Service, Union Trust Building, Washington, D. C. This month will witness the first test of how united the United Nations are. The first of the conferences of representatives of the countries allied al-lied against the Axis are to meet nnd discuss food. On the success of that gathering, much will depend. It may be Just as well that the governments linked together under the very general and very idealistic statement of principles, the Atlantic Charter, are going to begin with a very material, a very down-to-earth nnd likewise a very vital question food. It would be too much to expect to begin at once to discuss the abstract ab-stract subjects which are bound to arise when the larger implications of the philosophy of government are considered. People have to eat to live. It seems reasonable to believe that the food question can be handled. han-dled. Of course, it can easily be disposed of if the United States simply sim-ply agrees to continue a lend-lease operation indefinitely with no demand de-mand for remuneration except vague promises. That, of course, is what the cynical say will happen. And that brings me to the crux of the whole question of America's role in world affairs. If we go on the assumption as the isolationists do, that heads you win, tails we lose, and that America is going to be played for a sucker, we might as well throw up the whole idea of international in-ternational co-operation now and put our heads back Into the sand until the next Pearl Harbor. On the other hand, the sincere proponents of International co-operation believe that America is smart enough and strong enough and wise enough and unselfish enough to help build the machinery which will at least make the world's wheels go around a little better than they have so far. We created a United States out of country with every geographical geograph-ical and political factor that exists anywhere. We welded Into one a conglomerate people representing every race on the face of the globe. Difficulties Ahead However, it is only fair to look at tome of the difficulties ahead. Russia, if not an obstacle, is at least a problem for several reasons. rea-sons. With an Allied victory, Russia, Rus-sia, both because of her contribution contribu-tion to the victory and because of her size, position and strength, is a vital factor in any world organization organi-zation or disorganization. She is not actually a member of the United Nations but rather an associated power as the United States was in the last war. She has not made a clear statement of her war or peace aims. She is, at present, occupying territory ter-ritory of what was once free and independent in-dependent nations; a part of Finland Fin-land all of the Baltic states, a part of Poland. Recently, Gardner Cowles, presumably pre-sumably speaking as a member of the Office of War Information, said: "If Americans don't make an effort ef-fort to understand Russia and the Russian place in the scheme of things to follow this war, I fail to see how we can possibly hope to build a worth-while peace." That, of course, is true. However, that is only half of the story. It is mutual understanding that is necessary. neces-sary. Mr. Cowles might have said: "If the Russian government does not encourage the people to understand under-stand America, we can't build a worth-while peace." It is a two-handled jug. We do misunderstand much about Russia. We are misinformed on some points. The Russian government govern-ment has failed to inform us on others. For instance, few people in this country know and many are probably unwilling to believe what Cowles, who ought to know what he is talking about, says about private property under the Soviets. About Property "Workers may acquire any amount of consumer goods," he tells us, "any amount of furniture, an auto, etc., for their own use. The distinction from our economy is that in Russia, an individual may not own income-producing property." Well, what of it. California never threatened to secede because of New England's blue laws or New York state because of the way they turn out divorces in Nevada. The important thing is, what are Russia's intentions concerning other nations? On my desk, there is beginning be-ginning to accumulate the literature of the various little nations Poland, . Latvia, Finland, who are already starting to plead for the restoration of lost territory or sovereignty. Anti-Communistic feeling is strong in America. You will hear tales of how Stalin expects to make a deal with Germany, how he expects to turn France communist the moment mo-ment the country is freed from Germany. Ger-many. You will also hear the assurances as-surances of people like Mr. Cowles who say: "Stalin no longer feels that the survival and development of the Soviets depend on world revolution." revo-lution." That Russia wants to be allowed to go her own way, to work out her own salvation and once she has assurance that a combination of other nations will not arise against her, she will be only too content to live and let live. I was talking with a seasoned and pretty cynical observer who has seen the seamy side of foreign relations rela-tions at close range for many years. He is suspicious of Russia, equally suspicious of Britain. But even he said to me: "Before we talk too much about the obstacles in the way of an international inter-national understanding, let's find out what the British and Russian and other statesmen really want." The Goal That is all the gentlemen in the senate are asking, who are working so arduously to obtain the passage of the Ball resolution which would put the United States government on record as favoring the creation of an international organization to keep the peace.of assuring United States' co-operation in policing the world against any aggressor. There were few people who, when this United Nation was born, believed be-lieved that it could live. It did. Norman Angell, in that exceedingly cogent book of his, "Let the People Know," concludes one chapter with these words: "In the old days, we felt impelled to burn a man alive if he did not attend our church. Never, men were sure, could those of the true faith live at peace with heretics. But they found that men of different faiths could live together; that they could keep their differences, yet be loyal to each other in the achievement achieve-ment of their common purposes. Religion Re-ligion is not less than nationalism. What is possible In the one field is possible in the other." Whether we agree with Mr. Angell or not, there seems to be no sensible reason why we shouldn't try to find out if he is right. Peace is worth the effort. Broadcaster's Diary The other day, I received a letter that shows that commentators are of some practical use in the world after all. It was from a lady from Long Beach, Calif., who wrote: "J wanted to phone for a plumber one day last week. Each time I tried to use the phone, two women were talking (about nothing) on the '3-party' line. I tried every five minutes for nearly half an hour, never saying anything, only picking up the phone and having to hang up again. "One of the times, I heard one of them say 'some woman wants the line but I pay for it just as much as she does'! You, Mr. Baukhage, were just about to finish your regular broadcast," my writer goes on, "and some imp of mischief from my youth returned to my 50-year-old heart as I suddenly connected connect-ed that remark with the closing words of your program. You had about two minutes yet to go, so I hurriedly plugged my portable garden radio into the electric socket which is near the phone table and just at the right moment mo-ment lifted the receiver off the phone. Yes . . , they were still talking ... 50 just as you said: 'Thai's all, and thanks very much,' I put the phone mouthpiece right next to the radio snapping the latter off at the right second. sec-ond. Then, I listened on the phone and heard one woman say in an actually meek voice, 7 guess we have talked pretty long. See you later. Good-bye.' "After 1 stopped laughing, I called the plumber but you helped me, so 1 do think you deserve to be thanked. Also for a real laugh." |