STATESMEN IN CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 3

STATESMEN IN CONFERENCE

Roosevelt and the Russians. The lalta Conference. By Edward R. stettimus. Jonathan Cape. 320 pp. ~„T h‘ s wa ? written to put on record Mr Stettmius - account of the meetuig of the Big Three—Roosevelt, Churchill Stalin—at Yalta in the Crimea. There has been, as Mr Stettinius says in a foreword, widespread acceptance of the idea that at Yalta vital interests of the United states were sacrificed to appeasement of the Soviet Union, that decisions made at Yalta are responsible for many of the difficulties in WesternSox let relations that have subsequently developed, and so for much of the trouble in the world to-day Mr Stettinius contests these beliefs in his book. As Secretary of State he had an important role at Yalta, but in the book he acts mainly as observer, reporter, and interpreter of the ’part played by his chief, President Roosevelt. Mr Stettmius shows that Roosevelt went to Yalta to do two things: to plan the speedy ending of the war and to inaugurate a world security organisation. He claims success for the President in both. Plainly, the Russians were lukewarm at first about the United Nations, but warmed up under the President’s pressure and his insistence that he would regard their

interest and collaboration as a vital concession. For his part the President gave way. in the interests of Russian participation in a world security I organisation the paramount conI sideration as he saw it—on what historians may see as the critical issue of the conference, the future status and government of Poland. Other people better equipped and more strategically placed to analyse and assess Yalta may decide that the British and American delegates suffered defeat at Yalta. But Mr Stettinius’ book will certainly be closely and carefully ! weighed by the historian. One stand- s ard lor judgment should come fairly I soon—when Mr Churchill s book . reaches the stage of his meeting ati Yalta with the late President Roose- i j velt and Mr Stalin. Apart from its historical import- • ; ance. Mr Stettinius' book is fascinat- I . ingly interesting for the vivid account j 'it gives of a war-time international ; • meeting on the highest level. There ! i are sidelights showing the statesmen ■ ’on their ordinary everyday level, on ■ security arrangements for the jour- ' ney. on entertainments, on seemingly ‘ irrelevant exchanges. It is piquant to notice Mr Stafcfi assuring Mr Churchill that he need have no fear that the ! Labour Party would win the 1945 i General Election in Britain. Finally. Mr Stettinius emerges from i the book as a most likeable man. j Nothing in the book is more impres- j sive than the intelligent loyalty he i gave his chief. Mr Stettinius’ loyalty J continued after the President’s death, and shortly before hi: own death Mr Stettinius completed this book to “clear the record” for his chief. Mr . Stettinius accomplishes the task in a jway that deepens respect for him. '