Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1948. THE NEXT MOVE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 140, 25 March 1948, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1948. THE NEXT MOVE

The next move is up to Russia; that is the obvious conclusion to be drawn from the present situation in regard to Czechoslovakia, since the Security Council has decided to hear Chile’s complaint concerning Russian complicity in the affair. The hearing is to take place next Monday ,and doubtless Mr Gromyko will haye received full instructions before then. There has been a definite alignment of nations against the Soviet whose attitude to the latest move may possibly be revealed by its representative during the hearing of the Chilean protest. It is conceivable that Russia may go so far as to withdraw from Uno, although that would be a most drastic step, and one capable of only one construction. Much will depend on the conclusions drawn by Russia in regard to recent meetings of Western nations. Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg- the Five Nations have signed a mutual assistance pact against aggression from any quarter in Europe, Sweden, Norway and Denmark have declared their intention of opposing Communist aggression, but there is no announcement of an alliance or mutual aid. pact. There is a possibility that similar declarations will be made by the remainder of the 16 nations of the Marshall plan. These efforts, besides others in the economic sphere, are approved by the American Government. Congress is moving swiftly to consider President Truman’s message and already an important committee of the House of Representatives has acted on it. In addition, the United States stands behind Greece, Turkey and Persia and the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee has approved of considerable aid to China. All these facts add up to a fairly considerable total. Whether they are suf'ficient to halt present Russian tactics or even bring about a better international atmosphere remains to be seen. So far as the coming Security Council debate is concerned, Russia will be ready with an answer. The firm front which has been shown against her must force the issue. The next move is up to her.