American Note an Effort to Avoid Misconception

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26770, 13 May 1948, Page 7

American Note an Effort to Avoid Misconception

N.Z.PA.—Copyright WASHINGTON, May 11. The American Note to the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr Molotov, , was an effort to avoid “misconception or confusion ” about American foreign policy in the mind of the Soviet Government,, said President Truman in a formal statement to-day. He added that the aim of the Note'was to make it “ unmistakably clear that the United States has on hostile or aggressive designs whatsoever in respect to the Soviet Union. There was no indication in the President’s statement, however, that the Note could be construed as an American proposal for discussion and settlement of existing differences between the United States and the Soviet. President Truman’s statement said: “It was felt by this Government that in view of the adoption of the European Recovery Programme as a definite expression ofispolicy and of the President’s recent recommendation to Congress concerning military establishment, it was important that there should be no misconception or con fusion in the minds of the Soviet Government concerning the position of this Government. No Departure in Policy “Accordingly, the Ambassador in Moscow, General Walter Bedell Smith, was directed to seek an interview with Mr Molotov to set forth the policies and purposes of the United States regarding Russia, and thus avoid any unfortunate misunderstanding in view of the character of propaganda statements. The statement by General Bedell Smith represented no new departure in American policy. It was a reiteration of the American position as it has been repeatedly expressed, both publicly and privately.” President Truman concluded ,his statement by pointing out that the salient features of General Smith’s Note were, first, that American foreign policy had the support of an overwhelming majority of the American people, and would “ continue to be vigorously and firmly prosecuted,' and, secondly, that the United States Government wanted to make it unmistakably clear that it had no hostile or aggressive designs on the Soviet. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent says that political observers believe that the Russian agreement to Soviet-Amcrican talks has relieved the mounting tension between the two countries. Most Russians want better relotions with America and other Western countries, and consider that the Notes have greatly cleared the air. Paris afternoon papers announced the exchange of Notes in screaming headlines. The Communist Ce Soir and the pro-Governmeht France Soir were enthusiastic. France Soir, in one of the biggest banner headlines in its history, said: The most sensational event since the war's end.” A British Foreign Office spokesman announced that Britain was not contemplating any similar step to open

negotiations with the Soviet. The United States Ambassador in London Mr Lewis Douglas, and the French Ambassador in London. M. Massigli, called at the Foreign Office to discuss with Mr Ernest Bevin the American approach to Russia, In Paris the Foreign Minister, M. Bidault, “ noted with satisfaction ” the exchange of Notes between America and Russia. Late messages from Washington say that diplomatic circles are confident that no conference between the Soviet and the United States will result from the exchange of Notes between Mr Molotov and General Bedell Smith. Officials interpret the Russians' surprise publication of General Bedell Smith’s statement as an attempt by a breach of diplomatic confidence to place the United States in an embarrassing position of appearing to turn down a Russian effort to settle American-Russian differences. It is believed that if the Soviet genuinely intended a full-scale discussion of differences it would hardly have published a confidential statement as the first step towards harmony.

Although the State Department declined to comment on the possibility of the American-Russian talks, officials say the talks will only be held if the Soviet makes the first move. “We would be delighted to discuss anything specific that the Soviet may propose, but we are not interested in sitting on a stratospheric cloud for the discussion of glittering generalities,” said one official. Diplomatic officials are not enthusiastic about a meeting between President Truman and Mr Stalin, and feel that they should be between Mr George .Marshall, the Secretary of State, apd Mr Molotov, preceded by extensive preliminary negotiations. Reuter’s Washington correspondent says that President Truman’s statement is an “ attempt to dampen over the optimistic hopes of an early American-Russian settlement.” The United Press says: “President Truman dashed the. hopes for an immediate peace in the ‘cold war’ with Russia. The whole thing is the result of a Russian mistake in interpretation. The two nations are no nearer agreement to-day than they were yesterday.” At Lake Success the New Zealand High Commissioner and delegate to the General Assembly, Sir Carl Eerendsen. added to his reputation for incisive comment on the United Nations activities when he was asked to-day for his views on the AmericanRussian exchanges of Notes. Sir Carl resolutely refused to divulge his opinion, but vigorously rejected a reporter’s suggestion that he might be described as at a loss for words. “I am fc_-ver at a loss for words,” he declared. “Nobody around here ever is. I just do not have any comment.”