THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 38, 14 February 1945, Page 4

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

r\F the decisions of the Crimea Conference, those relating to the occupation, control and treatment of Germany after her defeat are of the greatest immediate and popular interest, but other decisions are of even greater importance. It was taken for granted that the leaders of the nations which for the second time in a generation have had to pour out their blood and treasure to frustrate the ambitions of militarist Germany would resolve that this time the German eagle should be left without a feather to fly with. But a nation of 80 million people has the capacity, and, we need not doubt, in spite of everything will have the will, to resume its traditional courses unless the Powers which have encompassed its defeat not only remain united in their determination to maintain measures of restraint, but also show initiative and energy in shaping the conditions in which European life can recover. Hitler attempted to impose on Europe his "New Order," under Germany's powerful leadership. He failed, but Europe will need a new order, and strong leadership to make it possible. The most encouraging feature of the report on the Crimea Conference is the evidence it contains of some amelioration of problems which, unsolved, would certainly work for disharmony and disunity among the Allies, and of their determination to give strong leadership in a Europe devastated by war. The most notable achievement is the agreement on joint action everywhere. The fear that countries over-run by the Soviet armies would be sovietised against their peoples' will must be modified by the decision that the three Governments will jointly assist them to organise democratic regimes. In Poland, the greatest problem of all, and the test case, the Provisional Government, a puppet put up by the Soviet, is to be reorganised on a broader basis—and representatives of Britain and the United States, as well as the Soviet Foreign Commissar, are to assist in the reorganisation. This represents some concession by the Soviet to British and American feeling on the question, and to that extent it is welcome. But it cannot obscure the essential facts, which are that Poland is not a defeated enemy, but an original Ally, that she js being deprived of nearly one-third of the whole territory which was hers when the war began, that she is being deprived of it by the unilateral action of the Soviet, and that Britain and the United States have acquiesced. What they have achieved now is some assurance that the remainder of Poland will be enabled to have the Government of its choice. The question of whether this remainder can, from the economic standpoint, have a future, and the problem of the Polish people who will wish to move from eastern Poland—these are not mentioned. The most that can be said of the decision regarding Poland is that Mr. Churchill and President Roosevelt reached an agreement with Marshal Stalin; but it should not be misnamed a settlement. If it cannot be altered, at least let there be no pretence that it is just. The conference not only endorsed the preliminary work done for the creation of an international security organisation, but was able to resolve how, we do not yet know—the dispute on the important question of voting procedure. "Moreover, within three months a full conference of the United Nations is to assemble in San Francisco to prepare the charter of the international organisation, and France is to be invited to become one of the joint sponsors of the conference. Perhaps the most important aspect of these decisions is that they imply the willingness of the Soviet, as of the United States, fully to participate in the organisation of world affairs. An isolationist Russia was just as much to be feared as an isolationist America. Nor does it escape notice that, in addition to France China is to be invited to sponsor invitations to this conference to be held on the shores cf the Pacific Ocean. That announcement will cause no elation in Tokyo.