What Happens Next?— They Ask In America

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 117, 19 May 1945, Page 4

What Happens Next?— They Ask In America

Special to the Auckland Star By DON IDDON NEW YORK. NOW that the European victory celebrations have died down in every town, in every city, in homes all over America, people ask: "What happens next?"

This is an attempt to answer part of that question. Firstly, a view held in some high places, despite urgings from generals pnd admirals about no slackening of effort, is that the Japanese will surrender soon. It will even surprise some high officials and others in Washington if the Japanese are in the war 90 days from now. During the last few weeks there have been many feelers from the Japanese about possible peace terms, but these did not come from a high enough level, and the answer has: been and will be: "We and our Allies are interested only in unconditional surrender." It is rumoured that Russia plans imminent action against Japan, and is determined to participate in the Far Eastern peace settlement. She wants Port Arthur and probably a great deal more. She will get Port Arthur and probably a great deal more. Secondly, a meeting between Mr. Churchill and President Truman soon is considered certain.

They have had at least 50 transatlantic telephone conversations in the last fortnight, and found this communication unsatisfactory. A face to face meeting over the table here or in London is being arranged.

San Francisco Bombshells Thirdly, the San Francisco Conference will be announced as a success, whatever happens, and the chances are that it will be a success. But Russia's attitude and her casual throwing of diplomatic bombshells, particularly her crude revelation of the arrest of the Polish group that went to Russia from London,

have done harm. " , Her shock treatment, instead of weakening the British and American stand, if that was the intention, has stiffened and angered the Governments. Fourthly, there is not the remotest possibility of a soft peace for Germany. The word mercy was removed from our vocabulary when the atrocity evidence came in. The Great Powers are agreed on that, if on little else. Fifthly, now that Germany is crashed and victory won, the wrangling and diplomatic tug-of-war between Russia on one side and Britain and America on the other will increase. Almost all the difficulties at San Francisco have stemmed from the Russian attitude. The Polish problem hangs like a cloud over San Francisco, and it will hang like a thunderstorm over the United Nations' organisation until it is settled. That is the general picture.

The New President On the domestic front it is now quite evident that President Harry Truman is not letting anyone run his Presidency except himself. He is showing unexpected toughness. He is sitting in the Presidential chair easily and comfortably. He has acquired a new stature and is demonstrating statesmanship. In all his dealing with Russia he has been patient, and meticulously careful, but twice he made it clear to M. Molotov, the leader of the Russian mission at the San Francisco Conference, that there will be no appeasement of the Soviet nor anyone else, that the Yalta Agreement will have to be carried out.

Standing On Own Feet More than that, he indicated that any hopes the Soviet may entertain of getting six thousand million dollars' worth of credits from the United States for post-war reconstruction and trade will depend on her faithful carrying out of international agreements.

The man who was expected to lean so heavily on Mr. Churchill in international affairs and be propped by his friend, Mr. James Byrne, in domestic matters, is standing on his own feet and he is very erecf.He may go to London soon, -though he is reluctant to leave Washington and dislikes flying. Plans for the organisation of his Cabinet are going through, but he will not be rushed. One thing about this victory which stands out prominently is the relationship between Britain and America. The report from here is that Anglo-American relations have never been better.

For weeks now there has been very little criticism of Britain, and the only thing that jarsvme is the silly slur that Britain and the Empire are very much the third of the three Great Powers. With the war won we need hardly worry about this.

Soviet Hammered By contrast, relations between the United States and Russia have deteriorated. The nationalist Press is hammering the Soviet mercilessly, and the restrained and intelligent newspapers are increasingly critical of Russian policy. This is one quarrel which we should watch from the sidelines.

One of Franklin D. Roosevelt's pet ideas, which will be incorporated into the peace, is the banning of martial music in Germany for the next eight years. The late President was very determined about this. He said the Germans must cut out military airs and be satisfied with Beethoven and Strauss. Our own view is that the shrieks of the tortured should be played to them for the next few years., Is Hitler Dead? Most Americans do not believe that Hitler is dead and wouldn't be surprised if he turned up in South America, probably among his old pals in Argentina. Anyway, Hitler could not have died from a heart attack, as some have reported—he never had a heart. If he did die in burning Berlin he must have been nicely conditioned for hell. * * * * Few here expect Vichy Marshal Petain to be sentenced to death for treason. The New Yorker points out that the French will probably the view that he was too old to know better. * * * * Almost all the leading generals bet on VE day. One of the biggest pools was run by war correspondent Henry J. Taylor, of the ScrippsHoward newspapers. May 3—the guess of LieutenantGeneral Alexander Patch—won the pool, and General Patton, who forecast May 10, was runner-up. FieldMarshal Sir Harolc Alexander and Air-Marshal Sir Arthur Coningham we're wrong by months. Field-Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery refused to participate. He said: "I know when Germanj' will surrender. I can't take other people's money."