Rare Periodicals

Current Events Review

Media

Part of Current Events Review

Title

Current Events Review

Description

A News Magazine Published for High School Students Devoted to the Selection, Organization, Presentation, and Review of Current News for Lessons in Current Events.

Issue Date

Volume III (No. 1) July 1947

Publisher

Manlapaz Publishing Co.

Year

1947

Language

English

Rights

Place of publication

Manila

extracted text

CUIRIRENl EVENTS IREVKEW A newsmagazine that completes and makes up-to-date the study of history and other social science subjects. DIOSDADO G. CAPINO Edit,,.. D.R. MANLAPAZf PubliBher POLICARPIO G. DANGALIO DOMINGO C. SERION Researchers 49320 NICOLAS ONGKINGKO Ci-rculation Manager Page Why the Truman Doctrine Has a World-Wide Impact 1 Why the Latest Moscow Conference Failed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Significant Facts from Gen. Marshall's Report on the Moscow Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 9 What is the American Plan for the Future German Government? . . . . . . 12 What is the British Plan for the Future German Government? . . . . . . . . 13 What is the Russian Plan for the Future German Government? . . . . . . 14 The Philippines and the World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 From the President to the People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 America Will Fight Hunger, Poverty, Desperation, and Chaos . . . . . . . . 21 Science Marches On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Significant World News Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Special Report on the Activities of the United Nations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Published monthly eo:cept May and June !>y MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. 123-125 Reten, Sampaloc, Manila Subscription: f3.00 a year, Pl.50 a semester. When changing address give old as well a:; new address. Address all communications to the Current Events Review. Copyright, 1947 by D. R. Manlapaz and D. G. Capino. All rights reserved. Entered as second-class mail matter JS.nuary 9, 1947 at the Manila post-office. ls the Doctrine a Challenge to Russia? Why the Truman Doctrine Has a W odd-Wide Im pact Specific objectives: 1. To understand the origin of the Truman Doctrine 2. To get acquainted with the nature of the Truman Doctrine 3. To appreciate the significance of the Truman Doctrine What is the "Truman Doctrine?" March 12, 1947, marks an epochmaking event in world affairs. On this day President Truman announced a new foreign policy before a joint session of the Both Congress now known as the •'Truman Doctrine." President Truman asked Congress for a $400,000,000 economic and military aid to Greece and Turkey and for authority to send 40 civilian and military" personnel to these two countries which serve as bulwarks of democracy against communism in the Mediterranean. In clear, blunt, bold, and firm statement President Truman enunciated the new foreign policy of the United States. He said: "One of the primary objectives of the foreign policy of the United States is the creation of conditions in Which we and other nations will be able to work out a way of life free from coercion. "Totaiitarian regimes imposed on free peoples, by direct or indirect aggression, undermine the foundations of international peace and hence the security of the United States. "I believe that it must be the policy of the United States to support free people who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outWorld Affairs side pressures. "I believe that we must as~ist free people to work out their destinies in their own way. I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political process." What was the origin of the "Truman Doctrine?" On March 3, 1947, the government of Greece made an urgent appeal to the United States for immediate economic, financial, and expert assistance. The Greek government pictured to the United States how much it needed the assistance of the United States to keep Greece a self-supporting and self-respecting democracy. The Greek government declared that the devastation and _social disorder wrought by war would certainly force the people to demand radical changes to solve their untold problems, -and that might mean Communism. The seriousness of the internal cond.i· tion of Greece was aggravated by the announcement of the British government that she would stop giving aid to Greece after March 31, 1947. Turkey had also asked for several times financial assistance from the United States before Britain announced her withdrawal from Greece. The appeal of Greece was seriously studied by President Truman and the leading leaders of both the Re'publican and Democratic parties. After a thorough examination of the Greek and Turkish request, President Truman outlined before the 80th Congress a program for "economic and military" aid to Greece and Turkey. ,,, 1 Reaction to the "Truman Doctrine" The ''Truman Doctrine" has been widely debated. Its significance in world affairs and its future implication have been heatedly discussed. Many radio comentators, editorial writers, newspaper columnists, political leaders, and authors have condemned the doctrine, but there are also many who have supported the doctrine with the. belief that it is the only way to save free peoples from Communist totalitarianism. On February 10, 1947, one month before the history-making speech of President Truman, Under-Secretary of State Dean Ache..an testified before the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy that "Russian foreign policy is an aggressive and expanding one." The Russians immediately protested. Secretary of State Marshall defended Mr. Acheson and reminded the Russians not to confuse "frankness" with hostility. When Mr. Acheson was asked whether the proposals to aid Turkey and Greece contain the possibility of friction which might lead to war, he said: "I think the opposite is true. These proposals are designed to increase the stability of, and to furth~r the opportunity fftr democratic development in two countries. They are not. acts which lead to war." Reaction in Moscow was sharp. Izvestia., the official organ of the Russian government printed strong criticisms ·against the doctrine. It said among other things that the doctrine "did not take into account the international organization (UN) or the sovereignty of Greece," and that "Hitler also referred to the Bolsheviks when he wanted to open the. road tO conquests." The Russian press echoed: "We witness a fresh intervention by the United States i:p the affairs of other states." 2 * Foundations of the "Truman Doctrine" The "Truman Doctrine" is expressive of the desire of the American people to defend United Stat6s interests anywhere. In the early days of the American republic, the government did not hesitate to make war on the Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean who had captured American merchant ships and had disregarded the·· loss of American lives and property. Again, when, the United States was troubled by the "impressment" of American seamen to serve on British ships during the enforcement of the Continental System in 180&-1807, she did not hesitate to declare war against England. On December 2, 1823, President Jam es Monroe, in a written message to Congress laid down three basic principles which for the past 124 years have come to regarded as the consistent American policy. These are: (1) European nations must not establish any more colonies in the Western Hemisphere. (2) They mu~t not impose their government on any nation on this half of the world. (3) The United States would not interfere in the internal affairs of any European country. The Monroe Doctrine was announced for two reasons. First, the Holy Alliance wanted to suppress democracy. Second, Russia claimed a s~rip of land along the west coast of North America. Prompted by parallel motive, the United States Congress passed the LendLease Bill on May 11, 1941. The LendLease Bill was an inplementation of the policy of the late President Roosevelt to make the world safe for democracy. The Lend-Lease Act extended aid to nations fighting for the cause of democracy. The "Truman Doctrine" finally received Congressional approv~l. The House of Representatives voted for the $400,000,QOO Greek and Turkey Aid Bill on May· '10, 1947, by a vote of 287 Current Events Review against 107. The Senate vote was 67 against 23. It should be remembered here, in passing, that the President is a Democrat and Congress is Republican. Why is the "Truman Doctrine" significant? 1. The New York Times points four significant facts. First, it appears that isolationism is practically dead. This shows America's assumption of leadership in world affairs. Second, there is fear of Russian expansion. The fear is widespread and accompanied by a general antipathy toward communism as a system. Third, the Americans are generally ol the opinion that the "Truman Doctrine" does not by-pass the United Nations. They believe in the principle of the United Nations. Fourth, the American public has approved a "strong policy" toward Russia. 2. The "Truman Doctrine" is global in its implications because it is a warning to Russia that the United States is now prepared to 11contain" Russian expansion. President Truman said: "We must be willing to help free peoples maintain their free institutions and their nation's integrity against aggressive movements that seek to impose on them totalitarian regimes." Arthur Krock, a noted columnist, wrote that the "Truman Doctrine" excludes no area for American ent~nglernent because it is founded on the fear that American freedom is threatened by ambitious European powers. David Lawrence, editor of The United States New,, wrote that the doctrine will prevent World War III; for firm action in checking aggression in early stages is the first step to checkmating world-wide aggression. 3. · The question was asked whether the "Truman Doctrine" would promote peace or increase the danger of war. Mr. Henry Wallace believes that the doctrine by-passed the United Nations. Andrei Gromyko, Russian representative to the Security Council, in his speech delivered before the body on World Affairs April 7, 1947, argued that "the measures taken by the Government of the United States in respect to Greece and Turkey seriously undermine the authority of the, United Nations Organization and inevitably produce distrust in relations among the state members of the United Nations." President TrurDan's address said in part that in helping free and independent nations maintain their freedom, the United States would be giving effect to the principles of the Charter of the United Nat ions, The United States Congress in approving the Greek and Turkey Aid Bill believes that the bill would help stabilize the international situation. 4. The fourth significance of the uTruman Doctrine" is that the United States has embarked on a new policy of restoring nations maintain their selfrespect and self-dignity. Since the liberation of Europe, the United States has invested $1,046,000,000 in the form of ships, supplies, loans, and relief. United States private relief alone amounted to $'36,000,000. Under the "Truman Doctrine" a group of technical experts will be sent to Greece to help the people restore their own country. The result of the daring experiment of the United States in Greece and Turkey will determine her future policies of aiding other nations restore their economies. 5. The approval of the '•Truman Doctrine" opened the way for other countries to seek the aid of the United States in restoring their economy. The world knows that Turkey, unlike Greece, has no internal revolt. It followS, therefore, that other weak countries desiring to restQre their ecol\Qmy may also apply for United States expert assistance. But two big ·questions arise: How long can the United States undertake aid to foreign countries? How much could it spend to give this support? Study Helps Hold an open forum or class discus(Please turn to page 8) * 3 Should Russia be blamed? Why the Latest Moscow Conference Failed Specific objectives: 1. To know the main purpose of the Moscow conference. 2. To understand the basic issues discussed. 3. To get acquainted with the plans of the United States, Great Britain, Russia, and France on Germany. 4. To understand the causes for conflicts among the Big Four. 5. To know the reasons why the conference failed. The Moscow conference of the Foreign Ministers held from March 10 to April 24, 1947, was the most important conference of the Big Four since the end of World War II. The eyes of the world were· focused on Moscow becauljle the world expected that the conference would either hasten or delay peace in Europe. "The German negotiations," wrote Secretary of State George C. Marshall, "involves not only the security of Europe and the world, but also the prosperity of all Europe." Basie issues discussed Each of the Big Four-the United States, Great Britain, Russia, and France-has its own plan for Germany. Each plan is not only concerned with the future control of Germany but also with ideals and ideologies. The problems of Germany jg not only the problem of four D's - denazitication, demilitarization, detndustrialization and displaced persons-but also with poJitical, economic, and territorial ideologies of the occupying powers. The records of the conference show that all the disagreement which were evident since the outset of the conference on 4 .. Italian and Balkan theatre came into sharp focus and have remiined, in fact, unsolved. Among the basic issues discussed were the future government of Germany and her economy, reparations, territot·ial boundaries, coal problem, displaced persons, denazification, and' the ·Austrian treaty. What does the United States want? Secretary of State Marshall explained to the Council of Foreign Ministers that the United States wants a peaceful and neutral Germany. Germany is the most popu.lous country in Western Europe and has still the best industrial plants. A resurgent Germany is a menace to Europe. The menace will be increased if she will be allowed to become a junior partner of any big European power, either with Russia or any of the Western powers. The United States is in favor of making Germany repair the damage she wrought during the last world war, but the Uni~ States is opposed to making Germany pay reparations from her much reduced current production. The United States wants a united Germany because a partitioned Germany means a partitioned Europe with the big pow~rs playing politics to secure advantages t.o the detriment of peace in Europe. The United States wants to treat Germany as an economic unit in order to hasten Germany's economic recovery. She wants a. federalized democratic Germany so that there will be no chance for the growth of any form of totalitarianism. She also wants that the territorial boundaries of Germany be finally settled for the benefit of the Ge'rmans. Current Events Review DIVIDED GERMANY Economic resources: American zone Wealth: hydroelectric plants, dairy products, text.Hes, processed foods, machinery parts Poverty: agricultural products, heavy industry, mineral fuels, metals, .machinery, gas, vehicle manufacture, forests British zone Wealth: heavy industry, hard- coal, steel, forests Poverty: food, dairy products,· textiles French zone Wealth: hard coal, steel Poverty: food, dairy products, textiles, forests Russian zone Wealth: food, glass, pottery, paper, rnetalware P!)verty: hard coal, forests, steel, chemicals \• orld Problem * 5 What does Great Britain want? British plans for Germany are similar to the American plans. Mr. Bevin's plan included a democratic and federalized system of government which is neither pro or anti-Soviet in outlook. Britain also wants to treat Germany as an economic unit in order to bring about the early economic recovery of Germany. This economic plan includes the scraping of trade barriers between zones, financial reforms, the break of monopolies, and the speeding-up of reparations. What does France want? F.rance in common with the United States and Great Britain wants a democratic Germany. The government, however, must be a loose federation so that there will be no chance for German invasion of France for the third time. She desires complete denazification and decentralization of Germany, so as to make impossible the resurgence of Germany. France is greatly concerned with her security because she has been invaded by Germany twice in 70 years. She desires that every possible means should be taken to prevent the rise of a strong Germany. She wants economic support in the fonn of aoal and steol fl'OIR Oeirmany. This is the primary condition France has set before she consents to the treatment of Germany as an economic unit. It is for this reason that she wants the annexation of the Saar Basin. She is now, however, willing to place the Ruhr and the Rhineland under international coiltrol of the United Nations. What does Russia want? Russian foreign policy is chiefly based on the establishment of her "secl:lrity" frontiers and the spread of communism. Russia wants a strong centralized Germany patterned after the constitutiO'll of the Weimar Republic. She wants a Germany "friendly" to her - with a 6 * communist-dominated government. She desires a government that is "democratic" according to the · Russian meaning of democracy-the inclusion of some representatives of the various parties in· the government but not actual participation ef the people in the choice of their cOnstitution and their officials. She - wants cOmplete denazification of Germany. Russia is opposed, ho.wever, to complete deindustrialization of Germany because she wants reparation from the current production of Germany. She is not willing to have economic unification of Germany unless her demand.s 'for reparations from current production of Germany are granted. She likes a share in the control of the Ruhr, and she is opposed to the temporary revision of the boundaries of Eastern Germany. Causes of conflicts The plans of the four occupying pow. ers are in general opposed to one another, especially the Anglo-American plans and the Russian plan. These conflicts are the main reasons for the failure of the Moscow conference. The conflicts were so sharp that one time there was an imminent break up of the conference. The di s c u s s i on s became strained and technical-even hair-splitting. Secretary of State Marshall, for instance, had to give a clear concept of democracy as understood by the Americans. At another instance the Big Four had to discuss lengthily the meaning of the German assests in Austria. They even quarreled on how the Allied Powers at war with Germany would participate in the drafting and confirmation of the German peace treaty. The meanings of some provisions of the Potsdam Agreement anµ the Yalta Protocol were unduly debated. Conflict on reparations Reparations means payment for damage inflicted by an enemy during the Current Events Review war. Russia wants $10,000,000,000 as reparations from Germany to be paid in the next 18 years. Russia also demands that reparations be paid from current production. This means payment in the form of goods manufactured now and in the future. The United States and Great Britain are opposed to this demand, because Germany does not have sufficient raw materials for use in the production of economic goods. The United States and Britain will, therefore, be forced to supply Germany with raw materials she needs. This will mean that the American and British people , w:ill pay reparations to Russia. Recent statistics given by the American government show that the United States is pouring into Western Germany goods valued more than $500,000,000. Out of Eastern Germany, Russia has been drawing currently produced goods equal to about $500,000,000 and has put back little. The American government sees no justice in the Russian demand. Conflict on economic unification The Potsdam Agreement of 1945 provides that Germany should be treated as an economic unit by the occupying powers. Russia has refused to implement this provision unless her demand for reparations are met. France still hesitates to agree on economic unification of Germany because she desires the acquisition of coal and steel from Germany. She desires the settlement of the boundaries of Germany before she agrees to economic unification. The United States and Great Britain want an immediate economic unification so that Germany may assume the obligation of paying for the cost of occupation which is a great drain on American and British taxpayers. World Problem Conflict on the political structure The United States, Great Britain, and France want a democratic and decentralized German government. It means that the different various states (Laender) would be as independent as possible. Under this plan it would not be possible for one state to dominate any of the states or all. The American plan calls for a temporary central government composed of all heads of the existing states legislatures. The people will then be asked to draw their constitution. The British plan calls for a: bicameral' house like that of the United States. The French plan calls for loose· federation of all the states. Each legislature of the Laender will have its representatives to a single .house pMliament. Each individual government shall be given wide powers. The German plan calls for a strong centralized government. The three democratic nations want to prevent the rise of any form _of totalitarianism in Germany, but Russia wants a government that could easily be controlled by a single party-preferaJ>ly one upholding communist totalitarianism. Conflict on territorial boundaries According to the Potsdam Agreement of 1945, all the territory east of the Oder and Neisse Rivers, about 40,000 square miles, would be the temporary boundary of eastern Germany. It was agreed among the heads of .the government of the United States, Great Britain, and Russia that the firud boundary of the eastern frontier of Germany should await the peace settlement. Lately, however, Russia declared that the boundary between Poland and Germany had already been settled. The United States opposes the Russian (Please tuTn to the next page) * 7 claim because the present boundary deprives Germany of more than 1/5 Of the source of her foodstuff. Study Helps Discuss ·the following questions: L Is Russian refusal to cooperate with the settlement of the German peace treaty justified? Why? 2. 'is it wise to write a separate peace treaty with Germany? Why? 3. Which is more important for the Allies: the denazifitation of Germany or her deindustrialization? Why? 4. Why do the United States and Great Britain insist on the economic uni. fl.cation of Germany? 5. Is the Russian demand for reparation from current production justified? Why? 6. Why did the Moscow conference fail? Uses of the Article 1. As supplementary material for World History it gives light on how the nations of the worl!i are trying to solve international problems and provides materials for the study of world diplomacy. !. As supplementary material for Social Studie.• 1, (Unit II) : ContempoTary Cfrilization. References 1. United States Information Service, Special Release No. 386 of Mars)lall .Statement on Moscow Conference. 2. Foreign Affairs, Vol. 24, No. 4, (July, 1946), "Agreement on Germany: Xey to World Peace" by Georges Bidault. 3. America, Vol. LXXVII, No. 1 (April 5, 1947), "Russia and Western Europe", p. 2. 4. The United StatM News, (March 21, •1947), "U. S. Subsidy to Soviet Russia?" pp. 13.:14. 5. The Saturday Evening Post, Vol. 219, No. 41 (April 12, 1947), "Are the Russians Brewing Another· German Deal," by Werner Knop, pp. 24-25, 127128. 8 * Why the Truman Doctrine ••• (Continued from page 3) sion on the following questions: 1. Do you think the aid is justified? Is the aid a case of power politics? 2. Is there truth in the charge that the "Truman Doctrine" is imperalistic? Why? 3. Andrei Gromyko and many Americans think that the "Truman Doctrine" by-passed the United Nations. Do you concur in this opinion? Why? 4. . The Monroe Doctrine states that the United States will not interfere in European affairs. The uTruipan Doctrine" reverses this policy. What is your opinion on this? 5. Do you believe the five signifi· cance given in this article? Why? Uses of the Article 1. In the study of World History, this article enriches the discussion of world diplomacy. 2. In the study of United States History, this article sheds light on the changes in United Smtes foreign policy (Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt lendlease program). 3. In the study of Oriental History, this article makes clear the significance of the United States policy in the Far East. References 1. Foreign Policy Bulleti,.. "U. S. Appraises Policy of Intervention," April 11, 1947, pp. 1-2. 2. USIS, Special Release No. 481, May 15, 1947 on 41 Edits Discuss Operation of Greek-Turkish Aid." 3. The New York Times, "Great Debate on the Truman Doctrine," March 23, 1947, Section 4, p. E. 4. New Republic, "The Truman Doctrine or a Strong UN?" March 31, 1947. 5. America, 0 End Appeasement at UN," April 5, 1947. 6. The Nation, 14 Manifest Destiny,'' March 22, 1947, pp. 317-318. 7. U. S. Foreign Policy by Walter Lippmann, Chapter III, pp. 8-18. Current Events Review WAS THERE "APPEASEMENT" AT MOSCOW? Significant Facts from Gen. Marshall's Report on the Moscow Conference Specific objectives: 1. To understand the significant points discussed in the conference 2. To understand why the conference failed ''This conference dealt with the very heart of the peace for which we are struggling. It dealt W·ith the vital center of Europe-Germany and Austriaan area of large -and skilled pOpul~tion, of great resources and industrial plants, an area which has twice in recent times brought the world to the brink of disaster. In the Moscow negotiations, all the disagreements which were so evident during the conferences regarding the Italian and Balkan treaties came into sharp focus and remained in effect unsolved. "All the members of the Council of Foreign Ministers are in apparent agreement as to the establishment of a' German state on a self-,supporting, democratic basis, with limitations imposed ta prevent the restablishment of military power. Central government for Germany 11 This issue of the degree of centralization of the future German state is of great importance. Excessive concentration of power is peculiarly dangerous in a country like Germany which has no strong traditions regarding the rights of the individuals and the rights of the community to control the exercises of governmental power. The Soviet Union appears to favor a strong central government, because they think it could be too readily converted to the domination World Problem of a regime similar to the Nazis. The French are willing to agree only to very limited responsibilities for the central government. They fear a repetition of the seizure of power over the whole of Germany carried out by the Hitler regime in 1933. German economy "There is a declared agreement in the desire for economic unity in Germany, but when it comes to the actual terms to regulate such unity there are wide and critical differences. One of the most serious difficulties encountered in the effort to secure economi.c unity has been the fact that the Soviet-occupied zone has operated practically without regard to the other zones and has made few if any reports of what has been occuring in that zone. There has been a refusal to disclose the availability of foodstuffs, and the degree of character of reparations taken out of this zone. German reparations "The question of reparations is of critical importance as it affects almost' every other question under discussion. This issue naturally makes a tremendous appeal to the people of the Allied states who suffered t!he terrors-of German military occupation and the destruction of their cities and villages. ''We believe that no reparations from current production were contemplated by th~ Potsdam Agreement. The Soviet strongly oppose this view. Tjley hold that the previous discussions and agreements at Yalta authorize the taking of billion dollars in reparations out of current producti0n. This would mean that * 9 a substantial portion of the daily production of German factories would be levied on for reparation paymeilts, which in turn would mean that the recovery of Germany sufficiently to be self-supporting would be long delayed. Territorial boundaries for Germany "The issue regarding boundaries to be ~stablished for Germany presents a serious disagreement and another example of complete disagreement as to the meaning of the pronouncement on this subject by the heads of the three powers. The United States government recognized the commitment made at Yalta to give fair compensation to Poland in the west for the territory east of the Curzon Line incorporated into the Soviet Union. But the perpetuation of the present temporary line between Germany and Poland would deprive Germany of territory which before the war provided more than a fifth of the foodstuffs on which the German population depended. What should he the treaty procedure? "There is \iisagreement regarding the manner in which the Allied Powers at war with Germany are to participate in the drafting and confirmation of the German peace treaty. There are 51 states involved. Of these, in addition to the four principal Allied Powers, 18 were directly engaged in the fighting, some of course to a niuch greater extent than the others. It is the position of the United States that the all Allied states at war with Germany should be given an opportunity to participate to some degree in the drafting and in the making of the peace treaty, but we recognize that there would be very practical difficulties, if not impossibilities, in attempting to draft a treaty with 51 nations participating equally at all stages. 10 * The United States, however, regards it as imperative that all the states who were at war with Germany should have some voice in the settlement imposed on Germany. Does Russia approve of the Four Power Pact? "The proposal for the Four Power Pac.t was advanced by the United States government a year ago. It was our hope that the prompt acceptance of this simple pact, ensuring in advance of the detailed German peace settlement that the United States would actively cooperate to prevent the rearmament of Germany, would eliminate fears as to the future and would facilitate the making of a peace suitable to Europe's present and future needs. "The Soviet Government met our proposition with a scheme (such as ·has come out of) of the pact, making it in effect, a complicated peace today. I was f.orced to the conclusion by this procedure that the Soviet government either did not desire such a pact or was following a course calculated to delay any immediate prospect of its adoption. Conflict on the Austrian Treaty "The· negotiations regarding the Au.strian treaty resulted in agreement on all but a few points, but these were basic and of fundamental importance. The Soviet Union favors and the other governments oppose the payment of reparations and the cession of Carinthia to Yugoslavia. "But the Soviet government attached more importance to its demand that the German assets in Austria which are to be hers by the terms of the Potsdam Agreement should include those assets which the other three powers consider to have been taken from Austria and the c-itizens of the United Nations by force or duress by Hitler and his Nazi Current Events Review government following the taking over of Austria by militar,y force in March, 1938. The Soviet Government refused to consider the word duress, which in the opinion of the other three powers would be the critical basis for determining the property that was really German property and not the result of seizures by terroristic procedure, intimidation, fake business acquisition, and so forth. The Soviet Union refuses to consider any process of mediation to settle the disputes that are bound to arise in such circumstances." Is there hope for future success? "Agreement was ·made impossible at Moscow because, in our view, the Soviet Union insisted upon proposals which would have established in Germany a centralized government, adapted to the seizure of· absolute control of a country which would be doomed economically through inadequate area and excessive population and would be mortgaged to turn over a large part of its production as reparations, principally to the Soviet Union. "Such a 1'lari, in the opinion of the United States delegation, not only involved indefinite American subsidy, but could result only in a deteriorating economic life in Germany and Europe and the inevitable emergence of dictatorship. "The critical differences were for the first time brought into the light and now stands clearly defined so that future negotiations can start with a knowledge of exactly what the issues are that must be settled. The issues are matters of vast importance to the lives of the people of Europe and to the future course of wo'rld history. We must not compromise on great principle in order to achieve agreement for agreement's sake. Also, we must understand sincerely or try to understand the point of view of those with whom we confer." World Problem Study Helps 1. What do you think are the intentions of Russia in making difficult the discussion of the various issues? 2. Do you think the Russians are responsible for the failure of the Moscow conference? Why? 3. Mr. Marshall expressed the view that the United States would not compromise to achieve "agreement for the agreement's" sake? What is the significance of this view? 4. Is the French fear of the resur· gence of German nationalism more im· portant than the economic unity of Germany? 5. Are the Russian demands for reparation more important than the economic security of France? Uses of the Article 1. Supplementary material for discussion on the objective: how the nations of the world are trying to solve their postwar problems. 2. Supplementary material for World History. 3. Supplementary material for Social Studies I: ContempOT1111'1J Civilization. 4. Supplementary mater i a 1 for United States History: the making of the U. S. foreign policy. Now availableBABASAHING PAMPAARALAN (Unang Aklat) Suitable for beginners in the Filipino language in Grade JI or III and advanced classes in Grade I. Manlapaz Publishing Co. • 11 Is the American plan feasible? What is the American Plan for the Future German Government? In his speech delivered before the Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow on March 23, 1947, Secretary of State George C. Marshall advocated the establishment of a German nationai council as the provisional gover,nmeut of Germany. The speech outlines the American plan for the future politic&! organization of Germany. What are the essential provisions (If the plan? Necessity of a German government "The time has come to authorizl' the Germans to c-stablish a provisional government to deal with m8.tters !"Jf nationwide concern which the states cannot adequately Mndle. No German government can function unless the basic essentials on which German economic unity depends are agreed upon and implemented by all four powers, and unless effective guarantees exist for the safeguarding of the fundamental freedoms in all parts of Germany. This is the indispensable basis without which no German government, be it provision-:_ al or permanent, can be constituted. Establishment of a provisional German government u A provisional government shovld be established. It should be composed of the heads of the governments of the now existing states (Laender), including Berlin. It should be given the necessary powers to create and operate central administrative agencies. In order that the provisional government may be truly representative, the establishment of laender constitutions and 12 * elected laender governments should be complewd throughout Germany at an early date. Preparation of a democratic constitution 0 The provisional government should prepare a democratic constitution. A constitutional convention elected by the people should be called. The provisional government should submit before th, convention the draft of the constitution it prepared. The 'convention will discuss, debate, revise and adopt the constitution. The Allied Control Council will then approve the constitution. It will then be submitted by the provisional government to the people for ratification not later than one year after the establishment of the provisional government. The ratification of the constitution shall require the majority of the total votes cast." Germany should be democratic Germany should be a democratic state. A democratic German state must take cognizance of the following: ( 1) All political power must originate from the people and subject to their control. (2) The people must exercise this po· litical control through popular elections at frequent· intervals. (3) Elections must be conducted freely in which competing parties have the freedom to sub-. mit their programs and ci:indidates before the people. ( 4) Political parties must be freely formed by the citizens. They should not enjoy privileged status. (5) The basic rights of the individ· (Please turn to page 20) Current Events Review Why is Britain AfTaid of a StTong CentTal Government? What is the British Plan for the Future German Government? The British plan for the future of the German government was outlined by Foreign Minister Ernest Bevin during the Moscow Conference. The British plan is similar to the American plan because it is patterned along the American constitution. What are its essential points? Motive of the plan In considering the structure of the future government of Germany, the British believe that it is necessary to adopt a practical scheme, and the British government is aware of the fact that the mere change from a Nazi party to another political party, or the change of Nazi ideology to another ideology can not and will not be a guarantee for peace and security. It is of prime importance, therefore, to work out a government based on a balance of powers. The British government is apprehensive of the prospect of a highly centralized German government which could become a source of aggression. "We do not want," said Mr. Bevin, "to see a Germany recreated where one party or authority would attract to itself all the power in the same way as that which led to the recent war." Germany must have a democratic ~ystem The Allies must aim at a government whrch will work and which will encourage the interplay of democratic forces and parties. These parties will provide the Allies the necessary protection. To begin with, there World Problem should be a provisional constitution under which the occupying powers can properly maintain the necessary control. It is the view of the British government that this provisional constitution will allow tile evolution and maintenance of a decent democratic system of government. This plan will .make Germany stable but it will keep her from becoming a threat to world peace. Foreign Minister Bevin reminded the Allies of the great mistake eommitted by the Allies after the First World War. "I still believe," said Foreign Minister Bevin, "that when Hitler came into power his task was made easier by the bureaucratic machinery which we ourselves (the Allied control authority in World War I) created at the end of-the last war." A strong tendency toward the establishment of a strong central government can lead to dictatorship. Essentials of the British plan Germany must be divided into States. Each state must have its own government and legislature. A central government must be established. It should consist of a twochamber house with a President. The powers of the central German government must be strictly limited to those matter affecting the whole Germany. The President of the central government must be a constitutional Head of State without executive authority. The organs of local government must be given real responsibility. If the whole German government is not (Please turn to page 15) * 13 WHAT IS RUSSIA'S MOTIVE? What is the Russian Plan for the Future German Government? Russia has outlined her plan for the future political organization of the German government. Her plan which calls for a strong and politically united Germany is ·in contrast with the loosely federalized Germany proposed by the United States. The Russian plan was outlined by Foreign Minister Molotov and pi.-esented before the Council of Foreign Ministers in Moscow. What are the essentials of the Russian plan? The need for a central German government Foreign Minister Molotov reiterated during the Moscow Conference, that it is not the intention of Russia to destroy the German people and that the Russians have no "feeling of revenge" on them. According to the Russian plan the German nation must have a political system that is "democratic." The organs of power must be formed on the basis of democratic elections. The central government must be set up so that it could assume its obligations to the Allied states. First step in the formation of a provisional government The first step in the formation of a provisional goverhrnent is to establish a central German administrative departments on finance, industry, transport, communications, and foreign trade in accordance with the decisions arrived at the Potsdam Conference. The Allied "Control Council" now administering Germany will prepare a democratic constitution with the help of representatives of democratic parties, free trade 14 * unions and other anti-Nazi organizations and representatives of the Lands (states). Elections will then be held in accordance with the provisional German constitution, after which the provisional German government should be formed. What will be one of the basic tasks of the new German government? One of the basic tasks of the new German government will be to eradicate German militarism and fascism, complete the democratization of Germany and reestablish German economy so that Germany may be able to fulfill its obligations to the Allies. A permanent constitution of Germany shall be approved by the German people. State structure of Germany Germany must be restored as a single unit, peace-loving State, a democratic republic, with an all-German parliament consisting of two Chambers and an allGerman government, while insuring the constitutional rights of the Lands comprising -the German state. The President of the German Republic shall be elected by Parliament. The all-German constitution established by Parliament shall operate on the whole German territory. The constitutions established by the Landtags (state legislature) shall operate in the Lands (states). The members of the Parliament and the Landtags shall be elected on the basis of universal suffrage. Voting should be secret and according to the proportional system. The local government organs, (Please turn to the next page) Current Events Review Russian Plan • • • (Continued) districts, and communal councils, shall be elected on the same democratic basis as the Landtags of the Lands. Characteristics of the German constitutions The German constitution of the Republic as well as the constitution of the Laender legislatures must be democratic. They should strengthen the development of Germany as a democratic and peaceful state. They should insure the free formation and activity of all democratic parties, democratic organizations, and trade unions. Freedom of speech, press, religion, and public meetings must be guaranteed. Criticism of the Russian plan Foreign Minister Molotov surprised the other Foreign Ministers when he suggested that the Big Four take the Constitution of the Weimar Republic as the guide in the formation of the German government. This coristitution was the fundamental law of the land of the German government before Hitler came to power. Foreign Minister Georges Bidault objected on the ground that the constitution would find little favor among the Germans. Foreign Minister Bevin declared that the constitution of the Weimar Republic gave the President of the German Republic the power to suspend the constitution. This is, therefore, a dangerous factor. Secretary of State Marshall objected to the Russian plan because it creates a strong central government which could easily be dominated by communist parties. The Russian plan will not prevent the rise of a totalitarian government, for under such a system a strong single party can seize the powers of the national government. There is no definite check on the powers of the central government. World Problem British Plan • • • (Continued from page 13) rooted into the powers of the people, the Allies will create another machinery which will be totalitarian. "If the whole German government," said Foreign Minister Bevin, "is not rooted as it were into· the responsibility of the people we shall create another machine which will ride on top of them and will not draw its sustenance from the German people themselves." Responsibility for certain functions should be given to a central admi:nistration. This machinery must be created at once. It is to be admitted that it would be entirely wrong to give this central government powers without the control of the chosen representatives of the people. The essential principle of the British plan for the political future of Germany is that power must rest in the people and goes up through the Laender (the separate German States.) This ·principle is linked with the power of the central government. Criticism of the British plan The British plan is designed to prevent the rise of any strong centralized German government. It is based on the assumption that the people must have the sole responsibility of electing their officials. The Americans and the British are now witnessing how one strong party can, by means of "infiltration," seize the powers of the government in a strong centralized system. The lesson of the recent coup d'etat in Hungary is reminiscent of the government of Central Europe during the days of Adolf Hitler. * 15 The Philippines and the World Entry of Russians Banned Malaca:ii.an issued a proclamation banning the entry of Russians into the Philippines. The main reason for the banning of Russian nationals is the absence of a treaty between the Philippines and Soviet Russia. It is significant to note, in passing, that Russia once severely criticized the independence of the Philippines. Thirty Nations to Buy P.I. Copra According to the IEFC (International Eme1·gency Food Council) , under the new interim allocation, thirty-three nations will share in the 1947 Philippine copra production estimated at 485,000 metric tons. This arrangement is expected to leave a reserve of 13,600 metric tons. The nations which have allotments of over 20,000 tons are the United States, France, and Italy. The nations alloted 15,000 or more tons are Norway, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Czechoslovakia. Philippines Assigned 100,000 Tons of 194 7 Rice Allocation The International Emergency Food Council today estimated the world exportable rice supplies this year (1947) at 2,158,700 metric tons. The total import requirements filed with the council is 6,600,000 metric tons. This is more than three times the available supply. In -submitting its report to member-governments on the distribution of the limited exportable supply among 22 importing nations or dependent territories, the council said, "In the circumstances it was impossible to assign any importing nation or dependent territory more than small part of 16 * the quantities needed." The approveCI allocation recommends for the Philippines 100,000 metric tons. Filipino Pensionados Thirty-one Filipino pensionados in meteorology emplaned for the United States. They will enroll in the University of California at Long Angeles, the University of Chicago, and ·the New York University. They will take up various courses in meteorology, such as meteorological observations, analysis, forecasting, briefing of pilots, and such other meteorological courses as are necessary in the maintenance of general weather service, including the study of weather ·information required for air navigation and of the safe operation of air traffic. The training period will be from 17 to 19 months. Under the terms of the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and the PI-US Meteorology Agreement, the United States Government will pay all expenses of the pensionados incidental to their training, such as transportation, tuition fees and cost of textbooks. Each trainee, in addition, will also be given P300 monthly as quarters and living allowances. Valor of Filipinos Hailed Elpidio Quirino, Vice-President of the Philippines, Brig. Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, permanent Philippine delegate to the United Nations, members of their families, and a group of uniformed military aides attended a soleinn mass in the St. Patrick cathedral in New York. Cardinal Spellman greeted the VicePresident. . The group was welcomed from the pulpit by Joseph F. Flannelly, cathedral administrator. Filipino valor was hailed. The Filipinos were called "representatives of a Current Events Review Christian nation which saved civilization and democracy by withstanding the forces of evil and invasion of pagan powers that would have wiped democrac~ from the face of the earth." "You have kept faith," Monsignor Flannelly declared, "for ·that reason you are brethren of God and our brethren. We pray this mass in thanks that you have kept faith in democracy. Your nation is the outpost of Christiqn civilization and democracy in the East. We pray that, as a reward, God Almighty will see to it that other libertyloving nations of the world stand by yOu." Rev. Fr. John Hurley, missionary in the Philippines before and durinll' the last war, preached the sermon. He said that during the occupation the people of the Philippines "gave th~ most magnificent example of mass loyalty in the history of the world." Payi•g tribute to the Filipinos' "deep underitanding of the Christian principle of the dignity ()f the human person," he said he felt that the unswerving loyalty of the Filipinos to the United States h the face of torture and death was ti.J.e to their ·"deep religious faith" and to the "fine ~olonial policy of the UniUd States." Filipinos in International Student House A new International Sudent House has been opened in Waslington where 150 young men and wone~ from 35 countries gather for sociil activties , to discuss international quBtions as well as to make use of its lih'ary facilities. The membership includes students from every continent. Thirt:-five members live at the Student Ho1se, where the residents take care of tleir own rooms, make their own beds aid serve meals in cooperative style. A. Washington newspaper played a pnminent article about the members illusrated with photographs of Chinese, Flipinos, Hindus, National Affairs and other foreign young men and women from different countries. Filipino Nurse Attended International Meeting Foreign delegates to the International Congress of NUrses recently met in Atlantic City. The delegates are members of the Florence Nightingale International Foundation, an organization which fosters inter-country educational scholarship in nursing. The Philippine representative, Mrs. Genera S. M. de Guzman, president of' the Filipino Nurses' Association, during the foundation discussions described the aim of her organization to establish l!ducational, social, and welfare centers for nurses, as a memorial to Filipino nurses who died during the war. She expressed the desire to make the nursing profession in the Philippines adequately serve all her people, especially the needy. Manila Included in Round·theWorld Air Route Regular scheduled flights around the world had been inaugurated for the first time by the Pan-American Airways. The first plane used is the Clipper "America," a new model Lockhead Constellation. The Northwest Airlines announced a new service for Japan, China, and the Philippines via the great circle route around the world. Britain to Give Up Turtle Islands During his recent visit in :L.ondon, Vice-President Elpidio Quirino made representation, for the transfer of the Turtle Islands to the Philippines. In 1939 a treaty between the Philippines and the British government was signed defining the frontier between the Philippines and British North Borneo. The administration of the Turtle Islands • 17 was given temporarily to the North Borneo Company. ~e representation made by Vice-President Elpidio Quirino was in line with the provision that the administration of the islands would be transferred to the Philippines whenever the Philippines makes the request. Benefits for Captured Filipino Veterans The House committee on armed services of the United States Congress, nbw considering the backpay bill for members of the Philippine Army incorporated into the U.S. Army in the last World War, has reported favorably on the amendment to the Missing Persons Act. The amendment provides benefits to members of the Philippine Army for the period when, in serving with the United States forces, they were Japanese prisoners. The committee said the War Department believes the Filipinos are entitled to benefits from the date of surrender until the date of parole, a period approximating eight months. The proposed legislation would authorize the War Department to repay about $41,000,000 still owed to Filipinos who were in the United States armed forces. The payment would benefit about 49,000 Fil~ ipino soldiers. Search for Oil in the Philippines to Continue The New York Herald-Tribune recently reported that the search for oil in the Philippines, which was begun 20 years ago on Leyte, would be resumed soon. The Far East Oil Development Company has extensive concession in Cebu. The newspaper said the contract was signed last year between this company and the Occidental Corporation, an affiliate of the Trans-America Cor· poration, under which technical direction and supervision of drilling in the 18 * Philippines would be handled by the Capitol Corporation, an operating unit of the Occidental. Philippines will Sliare U.S. Credits with Nations Active credits extended by the United States to 58 other countries, comprising loans outstanding plus unutilized commitments, totaled $9,280,000,000 at the end of 1946. Actual utilization of available credits has lagged behind commitments, but rose from 29 to 38 per cent of the total for active credits ·in the last quarter of 1946. Active cred-~ its as of December 31 include, in millions, of dollars: British Commonwealth, 4,675; France, 1,946.l; American Republics, 576.9; Netherlands, and possessions, 562.6; Soviet Russia, 241.8; Italy, 204.5; Oiina, 199.8; Belgium, 147.2; Greece, 93.~; Poland, 93.3; Finland, 80.1; Norwa.y, 75.9; Czechoslovakia, 72; Turkey, 403; Saudi Arabia, 26; Philippines, 25.f; Chosen, 25; Japan, 15; other countJies, 177.4. Five Sp~cial Articles in our Next lssue: What Mist be Done to Stoo Russia? - Will Palistan Bring Peace to Tro1bled India? Why Is tle Balkans the Powder Ker of Europe? Will the Truman Doctrine Lead toPeace or War? Why the lotsdam Agreement has C 1 u s e d Conflicts between the Democratic World aid Soviet Russia? urrent Events Review from the President to the People We won our indeperulenee uwe won our independe1ce through the processes of democracy. by the wiJl of a free p~ople. A new morality in the dealings of nations, particU.arly between the dominant and subject peoples, was thus inaugurated. It shod< the foundations of empires and broight new hope to the benighted millions seeking to be free. "No nation in mod.en history, not even the United States, after its first 25 years of independeme, could compare with us in the prc:gress we have achieved in the first yea: of our Republic. Let no one sneer at bis comparison; it is based on recorded acts. We are advancing "The Government of 'be Republic has been fully organized. Is authority has been extended to the rmote nook and cranny of our land. Wt have been welcomed by the famil'y of :ations; we have b"een recognized by pp.ctically eve!·y government on earth. Our voice is heard in the United .J'ations and in i:nany conferences on wdd affairs. \Ve are participating financally and otherwise in the intemationl instrumentalities created to restore :apidly the pro· ductive economy of th1 world. We are taking an active part l the efforts to build a new world ordt based on freedom and equality of a nations, to insure a just and permment peace and the welfare of all peo1es. Our democracy i!lll fact "Constitutional gum.ntees and the processes of a free !Overnment are firmly rooted in our Sl. Our democracy is not a name tt a fact. Our free institutions are i full oper:ation. Human rights are bein. maintained and safeguarded. We ha\: established :m National Affairs independent judiciary to stand sentinnel for the preservation of those rights. Our people enjoy freedom of speeCh l'\nd of the press, in a measure unsurpassed in any country of the world. Here, the press or any individual may indulge in the bitterest criticisms against the government and its highest officials,. without fear and without sanction. We uphold the right of every man to, worship God as he pleases. We impose no limitations on the freedom of thought or conscience. The right of petition and the privilege of the people to gather and to exerts for the· redress of grievances are never impugned. The sanctity of the home and the freedom from search and seizure are scrupulously defended. Free elections are guarante~d. But we also guarantee to suppress any and all attempts to gain through force or other illegal means any change in our system of government, or in the social order, or in the laws enacted by the representatives of the people. We adhere strictly to our democratic creed. We respect the sovereignty and the will of the people. We believe in a government by popular consent. We 'stand f'Jr liberty regulated by !'aw. We abhor fascism and the methods employed by dictators, whether of the military or of a class. We have built a truly popular government subservient only to the popular will. We are rehabilitating our national economy "The national economy is being gradually rehabilitated. In one year we have greatly increased the volume of our production. Although it has not y~t reached prewar levels, its monetary value today is more than three times the value of our total production income before the war. Government revenues have * 19 also greatly increased during the fi!st year of our independence. uin the first year we have succeeded in reducing the cost of living by thirty per cent, notwithstanding .a material increase in the money income of wage earners. We are enjoying a relatively degree of prosperity, and the living standards of the people are higher than those before the war. We are making progress "More public schools have been opened; We have today over one million more children enrolled in the schoo!s than before the war. Institutions of higher learning have increased in number and their attendance has more than doubled. "We have commenced the execution of a program for the redistribution of land in congested areas. This is the initial step leading to the ultimate aboliticn of an archaic tenancy system which ties human beings to a life of bondage <m the land that they work and which their fathers before them had tilled, with little hope of social improvement. "Our export trade is rapidly increasing, and in money value is now much larger than before the war. Our destroyed industries are being reopened as fast as equipment can be procured. We have established a government institution to prOvide Credit for speeding up the rehabilitation program. "Our monetary situation is excellent. Inflation has been arrested and is under control. No coU:ntry on earth except the United States, has more a stable currency than ours. We maintain a hundred per cent reserve for our outstanding circulation. Because of the guaranteed convertibility of Philippi'1e pesos in American dollars, our money is expendable anywhere in the world. Our obligation uon this day sacred to us all, we should, as free men and true patriots, renew our pledge to serve our Republic and to labor for the enduring welfare 20 • American Plan . . . (Continued from page 12) uals must be guaranteed and protected. These should include: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. ( 6) Indivichals must be protected from arbitrary a:-rest, search, and seizure. ( 7) There must be a guarantee for equality unmr the law. Limitatioll of the powers of the centl"al German government The Ameri1an plan proposes ways of limiting the Jowers of the central German govermrent. First, each state or land must dtermine its own election methods and must control its election processes. Secind, there must be an in· dependent judciary which would have the power to settle disputes among states, hetweer states, and between the states and the central government and the power to irotect the constitutional (Please !um to page 24) and happiness of our people. The full sovereignty wh:h we attained a year ago is still intct. We have not bar· tered away the;mallest particle of that sovereignty fo1 any materiai or othe-r consideration. We should resolve to maintain that svereignty in all its integrity, whatevr the cost, so that we may continue t enjoy it to the fulle.st measure and beueath it to our children, undiminished md unsullied. In this resolve and in te task ahead to achieve the enduring hppiness of the Filipino people, I call uon the whole nation fo lend me its cotinued confidence and support. Giverthat, with the help of Almighty God, lis Republic will, I "m sure, rapidly g>w in stature, wealth and power, lo1d and revered by its citizens~ honore4 and respected abroad, the haven '.and iberty and justice, the cherished home f contented free men." * From the Jly 4th speech of President Manu A. Roxas. Crrent Events Review Is the Dol!M Diplomacy Good? America Will Fight Hunger, Poverty, Desperation, and Chaos Specific objectives: 1. To get acquainted with the overall economic problem of Europe. 2. To understand the policies of the United States on foreign aid. 3. To understand why European nations should cooperate. One of the best pictures ever presented by American statesmen on the policy of the United States in extending foreign relief has been recently given by Secretary of State Gwrge C. Marshall in an address before tbe Harvard University Alumni Club. Every student of the social sciences must get acquainted with the significant parts of this speech if he wants to acquire an understanding of how nations endeavor to solve the problems of the world. Difficulty of the problem "I need not tell you gentlemen that the world situation is very serious. That must be apparent to all intelligent people. I think one difficulty is that the problem is one of such enormous complexity that the very mass of facts presented to the public by press .and radio makes it difficult for the man in the street to reach a clear appraisement of the situation. Furthenuore, the people of this country are distant from trouble areas of the earth and it is hard for them to comprehend the plight and consequent reactions of th"e long-suffering people and the effect of those reactions on their governments in connection with our efforts to promote peace in the world. World Problem Why recovery has been retarded "In considering the requirements for the rehabilitation of Europe, the physiCal loss of life, the visible destruction of cities, factories, mines and i·ailroads was correctly estimated. But it has become obvious during recent months that the visible destruction was probably less ·-serious than the dislocation of the eJttire fabric of European economy. For the past ten years conditions have been highly abnormal. The feverish preparation for war and the more feverish maintenance of the war effort engulfed all aspects of national economies. Machinery has fallen into disrepair or is entirely obsolete. Under the arbitrary and destructive Nazi rule, virtually every possible enterprise was geared into the German machine. Longstanding commercial ties, private institutions, banks, insurance companies, and shipping companies disappeared, through Joss of capital, absorption through nationalization or by simple destruction. In many countries, confidence in the local cuITency has been S"'verely shaken. The breakdown of the business structure of Europe duringthe war was complete. "Recovery has been seriously retarded by the fact that two years after the close of hostilities a peace settlement with Germany and Austria has not been agreed upoi:t. But even given a more prompt solution of these difficult problems, the rehabilitation of the economic structure of Europe quite evidently will require a much longer time and greater effort than had been forseen. • 21 Why is a serious situation developing? 0 There is a phase of this matter which is both interesting and serious. The farmer has always produced the foodstuffs to exchange with the city dweller for the other necessities of life. This division of labor is the basis of modern civilization. At the present time it is threatened with breakdown. The town and city industries are not producing adequate goods to exchange with the food-producing farmer. Raw materials and fuel are in short supply. Machinery is lacking or worn out. The farmer or the peasant cannot find the goods for sale which he desires to purchase. So the sale of his farm produce for money which he cannot use seems to him an unprofitable transaction. He, therefore, has withdrawn many fields from crop cultivation and is using them for grazing. He feeds more grain to stock and finds himself and his' family an ample supply of food, however, short he may be on clothing and the other ordinary gadgets of civilization. Meanwhile, people in the cities are short of food and fuel. So the governments are forced to use their foreign money and credits to procure these necessities abroad. This process exhausts funds which are urgently needed for reconstruction. Thus a very serious situation is rapidly developing which bodes no good for the world. The modern system of the division of labor upon which the exchange of products is based is in the danger of breaking down. "The truth of the mat.ter is that Europe's requirements for the next three or four years of foreign food and other -essential products - principally from America - are so much greater than her present ability to pay that she must have substantial additional help, or face economic, social and political deterioration of a very grave character. 22 * The policy of the United States "The remedy lies in breaking the vicious circle and restoring the confidence of the European people in the economic future of their own countries of Europe as a whole. The manufacturer and the farmer throughout wide areas must be able and willing to exchange their products for currencies the continuing value of which is not open to question. "Aside from the demoralizing effect on the world at large and the possibilities of disturbances arising as a result of the desperation of the people concerned, the consequences to the economy of ·the United States should be apparent to all. It is logical that the United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace. Our policy is directed not against any country' or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and. chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in Which free ins~ titutions can exist. Such an, assistance, I am convinced must not be on a piecemeal basis as various crises develop . Any assistance that this government may render in the future should provide a cure rather than a mere palliative. Any government that is willing to assist in the task of recovery will find full cooperation, I am sure on the part of the United States government. Any government which maneuvers to block the recovery of other countries cannot expect help from us. Furthermore, governments, political parties or groups which seek to perpetuate human misery in order to profit therefrom politically or otherwise will encounter the opposiition of the United States. (Please turn to page 29) Current Events Review Science Marches On Eye Grafting Operation Successful The shipment of an eye by air from San Francisco to Los Angeles made successful a delicate operation which restored the sight of a patient. The operation, a corneal graft, is not unusual, but air shipment of the eye is a new procedure. The eye came from the Standford University eye bank. Such shipment is expected to come into more general use now that Standford University has established a pool of potential eye donors for emergency cases. Rubller-Plastic Combination Developed It was reported at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society that rubber and plastic could be blended to form a new, more durable material: The new material was described by chemists of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company to be superior to natural rubber, and it may be used for a number of thingS, including shoe soles, flooring, and electrical insulation. The rubberplastic combination is said to be stronger, harder, and tougher than natura~ rubber. It is resistant to weather, prolonged heat, alkali, and acid. Loran Aids Civilian Flying Loran, the wartime navigation system used by military aircraft, is becoming available in a new form to civilian aircraft, Philco Radio Corporation has announced. Loran, short for "long range navigation", uses a pair of radio _ stations. The first or 41 maste1·" station transmits the signals, and the second or "slave" station picks up aud relays the signals. Both signals are received by Modern Science the Loran receiver in the plane. The difference in the time of impulses from the stations, measured in ten-thousandths of a second, enables the navigator to plot a parabolic curve on a special chart. The observation made by the stations is registered by electrical impulses forming two intersecting curves. The intersection of the curves on the chart gives the plane's position. The process takes only a few minutes and is not dependent on clear weather. X-Ray Motion Picture The first successful method of taking X-Ray motion pictures at normal or slow motion speed has been developed at the University of Southern California. The method was evolved by the University scientists in collaboration with the engineers of several industrial concerns in the course of their attempt to speed up the development of artificial limbs for war veterans. The technique may revolutionize the study of the heart, particularly the circulatory and respiratory· systems. Streptomycin and Anti-Malarial Drugs Studied The use of streptomycin in combating tularemic pneumonia and tuberculosis and the development of new anti-malarial drugs were discussed at the annual convention of the American College of Physicians in Chicago. Br. Hugh J. Morgan of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, told the 4,000 deleg3.tes that streptomycin is an effective medicine against the frequently fatal disease known as tularemic pneumonia, or "rabbit fever." Dr. Morgan reported that of the 27 patients on whom he had applied streptomycin only one died. Speaking of malaria, Dr. Lowell T. Science Marches on ••• (Continued) Coggeshall, chairman of the department of medicine of Chicago University, said that from more than 17,000 new compounds presented during the war for the treatment of rnalaria, the department has found three compounds which are superior to atabrine and quinine. Two of these, p'aludrine and chloroquine, have been found excellent in therapeutic value but not as curative drugs. The third, pentaquine, is curative in most cases when given with quinine. Viruses Fight Diseases Viruses which today produce diseases among men may soon become agents for healing, according to the report made by Dr. Wendell M. Stanley of the Rockefeller Institute for medical research, of Princeton, New Jersey, before the Chicago section of the American Chemical Society. Dr. Stanley said viruses alw ready have been changed in test tubes into allieS of mankind. The structure of viruses is changed into vaccines to fight polio, measles, mumps, and common cold•. Reason for the Recurrence of Colds A possible reason for the recurrence of colds and influenza is that the viruses causing them may be slightly different each succeeding time, according to Dr. Thomas Francis, Jr., of the University of Michigan. In his speech before the Society of American Bacteriologists of which he is' president, Dr. Francis explained that slight difference in the virus may offset the immuriity that the sufferer has built up to a previous strain of virus. He said that because of the manner in which measles, sleeping sickness, and other virus-produced diseases develop, there are chances for successful vaccination against such diseases, if the substance producing im24 * American Plan . . . (Continued from page 20) rights of the citizens. In order to prevent the seizure of the police power by the central government, the American plan proposes that the control of the police and internal security forces a•d the promotion of culture, education, and religious affairs shall not be delegated to the federal government. The federal and state governments shall be prohibited to have any kind of military establishment in order to effect complete disarmament. Criticism of the American plan The American plan provides for a loosely federated German government that would prevent the formation of a powerful central government. The powers of such government shall be 41limited and carefully defined," so tl<i't no single i:.arty can become too strong to seize the powers of the government. The American plan calls for the preparation of a constitution through democratic processes. The constitution shall be prepared by the provisional government; shall be discussed, revised, and adopted by a constitutional convention; shall be approved by the Allied Control Council; and shall be submitted to the people for ratification. The American plan insures a democratic government for Germany, but is designed to prevent the rise of a totalitarian govern~ent. munity is not merely in the blood stream but is at a point where infection enters the person's body. He declared that lifelong immunity from chicken-pox, measles, small-pox, and yellow fever may possibly result from viruses that survive in the person's body for the rest of his life, thus continually stimulating the production of antibodies which provide immunity. (Special Releases of the United States Information Service.) Current Events Review Significant World News Roundup INDIA India to make its own decision Britain took another bold decision when it announced a new plan for the immediate transfer of the administration of India to the Indians. The announcement was made simultaneously by Prime Minister Attlee in the House of Commons and by Viceroy Lord Mountbatten in a broadcast to the Indian people as well as in the Britisli White Paper. The transfer will first give India a dominion status until the absolute withdrawal of the British in June, 1948. What is the significance of the news? The decision is very historic, because the Indian people will have to decide whether or not India should be partitioned. If it will be partitioned, how is it to be done to avoid civil war. The probable partition of India will leave many vital problems not only in India's foreign relations but also in her intern8.l administration. Even if civil war could be avoided by partitioning, still there is the problem of how the Indians could reach an amicable solution to their internal problems. If there be two or three governments in India, the problem of governing the country will be a difficult task. The idea of a partitioned India must necessarily mean a separate constitution for the Moslems and also for the Hindus. JAPAN New election and new constitution Japan recently went through a series of election for local and prefectural asInternational News semblies and for the Diet the National law-making body of Japan. The Independents obtained 39% of the 895 contested seats. The Communists obtained 15 seats. The Liberals and Democrats won the majority of the seats in both ho~ses of the Diet. On May 3, 1947, Emperor Hirohito officially proclaimed the new constitution of Ja:Pan. The new constitution strips the emperor of his so.vereignty and power. It defines that the people is the source of power. Individual rights are guaranteed and protected. What is the significance of the news? The results of the last five elections show the emergence of the Social Democra+:s as the most powerful single party in Japan. The Communists were badly beaten. The announcement of the "Truman Doctrine" was reflected in the last elections. The members of the Social Democrats severed their connections with the Communists. The acceptance of the. constitution shows that the people are eager to try another path in running their national life. The Japanese people have awakened. They are beginning to ~ee the necessity of asserting their individual rights and of exercising their duties -for their common well-being. CHINA Nationalists and Communists continue io fight Things in China go from bad to worse. In major citfes, harsh taxes and infla~ tion have brought trade almost to a standstill. The Nationalists armies after early victories have been checked to the usual stalemate by the Communists. The enforced union of China is as far off as ever. Students who struck and * 25 who were accused of being supported by the Communists have been backed by some 300 teachers in their demand for the immediate ending of civil war. But the Nationalist government has suppressed complaining newspapers, used police to break labor and student strikes, made wholesale arrests of blackmarketers. What is the significance of the news? The conditions going in China endanger the Nationalist regime. The United States govern~ent has made it clear that financial aid to China must depend upofl. the organization of a government which follows the wishes of the people. Winston Burdett speaking ov~r the Columbia Broadcasting System network, commented: ult would be difficult to persuade Congress and the American people to accept under the title of reconstruction a program of aid for a government which is squandering its resources in a seemingly endless war." INDONESIA Indonesia progresses The Indonesians have made some arogress in building the United States of Indonesia. Recently, the Indonesian Republic made the island of Sumatra an autonomous province. Dr. Huberthus Van Mook, Governor General of the East Indies, announced that elections would be held to determine whether the inhabitants of the Dutch-occupied parts of West Java, the Sunda area, should be made independent of the new Indonesian Republic. What is the significance of the news? The progress is indicative that both the Indonesian Republic and the Dutch government are trying hard to bring about the final formation of the United States of Indonesia. The people of Sunda seem to like the idea of holding a plebiscite. The procedure will deter26 • mine the attitude of the people towards their political status. The Dutch are helping the new Indonesian Republic in various waY,s. Dr. Hubertus Van Mook has discussed the possibility of acquiring an American loan for Indonesian reconstruction. KOREA Russia agrees to resume talks At the insistence of Secretary of State Marshall, the Korean problem is now being discussed by the joint SovietAmerican Commissioil. It should be remembered that the Big 3 conference in Moscow in 1945 agreed on the establishment of a provisional government to prepare Korea for independence. On account of certain political factors the Soviet-American Commission, which convened in 1946, failed to arrive at any concrete solution. Since then, Russia had refused ,to resume the negotiations until sometime after the proclamation of the "Truman Doctrine." After the stiffening of United States foreign policy, Molotov accepted Marshall's invitation to resume the discussi_on of Korean problem. What is the significance of the new.;;! The resumption of the Soviet- American talks on Korea will hasten the formation of a provisional government for Korea. At present Korea is occupied by the Russians in the north and by the Americans in the south. There is no economic unity in Korea, just as in Germany where the four occupying powers have up to now failed to arrive at economic unification. Incidentally,. it may be said that the '1 Truman Doctrine" might have influenced the Russians to change their minds on the Korean problem. Russia fears and can not predict_ what would take place in Korea if United States financial and military aid are extended to Korea. It Current Events Review is hoped that the new talks will result in the formatiOn of the long-awaited provisional government. HUNGARY Soviet tactics deplored Hungary is one of the countries in central Europe that have tried hard to fight Russian intervention in their internal affairs. Recently, Ferenc Nagy, the small-holders' Premier was forced to resign. By means of a well planned coup d'etat the Communists now dominate the Hungarian government. The elected government was over thrown. The Catholic priest speaker of the house, Father Beli Varga, barely escaped arrest by the Comrr.unists. What is the significance of the news? A study of the recent history of Hungary will show that the fate of the country has been sealed. It should be remembered that, in the only free election held in eastern Europe, the Hungarians demonstrated overwhelmingly that they do not want Communism. In this election, the small-holders' party, vigorously anti-Communist, won by a huge majority. The Communist got only 17% of the vote. But under the influence of the Russian general, V.P. Svridov, head of the miscalled Allied Control Commission, the Communists infiltrated in the government and finally succeeded in controlling it. A New York Times editorial said: "The familiar pattern of infiltration and sabotage from within has worked perfectly in Hungary but only under military pressure." The New York E(erald-Tribune commented: "Free elections are no means a sufficient guararitee of free government; the subtle use of the courts and police, on issues which are plausible if quite fallacious, can wreck a government as completely as rigged election." The International News Hungarian situation reminds us of the rigged Polish election in January, 1947. ITALY New Italian government In May, 1947, Premier Alcide De Gasperi resigned because he believed that a broader Italian Cabinet is needed to cope with the problems of Italy, such as inflation, strikes, and food shortage. After he' had resigned, he challenged the Communists to show what they could do aside from fault-finding with his administration, and the Communists. failed to do anything. Steps were then taken to shuffle and reshuffle. the Cabinet. Emmanuel Vittorio Orlando~ Italy's Premier in 1919, failed to form a government. Days passed and the Italian government found it difficult to form a new Cabinet. De Gasperi was again gh·en a chance to form a Cabinet. After ironing out the conflicting points of view, De Gasperi succeeded in forming a Cabinet. This time De Gasp.eri' made the Communists understand that they should cooperate in solving the problems of Italy. What is the significance of the news? The victory of Premier De Gasperi is a sign that the Communists could not just have their own way. Democracy in Italy is given a new life under the new Italian government." Italy is still outside of the Russian "Iron Curtain.''" Secretary of State George C. Marshalf praised Prime Minister Alcide De Gas· peri and the new Italian government for the democratic progress of the Italian people, and he added that the United States would continue to give aid to Italy. FRANCE France weathered a great crisis The Cabinet of the Fourth French Republic successfully weathered a great * 27 crisis brought about by the Communists party. In April, the Communist ministers completely disagreed on the government policy over Indo-China where the forces of the Vietnam Republic are at war with France's imperial troops. On May 1, 1947, all the five Communist ministers threatened to quit the government in sympathy with the strikers at the Renault motor works. Premier Ramadier took a bold decision. He -ousted the communists from his coalition cabinet. The decision was supported by the Socialist Party by a , vote of 2,529 against 2,125. Ramadier's Cabinet temained in power. What is the significance of the news? The showdown with the Communists was a healthy sign. It shows that France is <let-ermined to solve her problems without giving in to the subersive and dilatory tactics of the Communists. Premier Ramacl.ier took a bold decision in ousting the Communists from his coalition government because he was fighting against a force that wants to take advantage of the people's misery. In doing so, he was able to make the people see that the refusal of the Communists to support the measures taken by his Cabinet in combating inflation was inimical to the welfare of the nation. Premier Ramadier then showed the sincerl_ty of his government by solving the greatest food crisis France has ever experienced. The example of Premier Ramadier in forcing a showdown with the Communists inspired the Italian Premier Alcide De Gasperi to take similar steps against the Italian Coni.munists. LATIN AMERICA New demands of women The Inter-American Commission of Women recently held its Fifth Assembly. All twenty-one American republics 28 * were represented in the meeting. Among the important questions discussed were the active participation of all women and citizens in political activities, minimum wages without discri· mination, equal pay, free education for all without discrimination, opportunities for service in policy-making positions h1 the government, and new responsibilities of women in building better worlds. Costa Rica concludes a new compact with El Salvador 'i'o promote better understanding, Costa Rica and El Salvador recently concluded another significant pact. They have agreed to dispense with passports and visas as tar as travel between the two countries are concerned. Citizens of both countries may enter each country by simply presenting a migration card. New Mexican ministere President ·Miguel Aleman of Mexico has approved the creation of two new ministries for the economic development of Mexico. These ministries are the Hydraulic Resources and the National Property and Administrative Inspection. These two ministries are intended primarily to· construct ·irrigations which are very vital in the economic development of Mexico's agricultural resources. President Aleman expects to accomplish within the next six years the irrigation of approximately 3,460,000 acres of new land. The project will coSt 1,500 million pesos. New Chilean hanking policies · Chile has , adopted a new banking policy ii\ order to enhance her economic development. President Videla ordered that all commercial banks must channel their credit facilities into production, Current Events Review World News Roundup. (Continued) importation, and other commercial enterprises directly concerned with production. This new policy is very significant because it prevents the use of bank credits for purposes of hoarding commodities and speculating prices. It will eliminate loans for carrying securities, for buying or putting up fine buildings. Panama created a National Council of Minors A National Council of Minors was recently c1-eated in Panama. The main purpose of the council is to draw up the Declaration of the Rights of the Panamanian Child. This declaration will be based on a study of the problem- directly relating to minors, such as family relationship, support, salaries and wages, employment, delinquency, vagrancy, and abandonement. The council also aims to establish homes, industrial schools, and nutrition centers for minors, student dining rooms, and recreation camps. Crippled Children are being rehabilitated in Uruguay The Franklin D. Roosevelt in Montevidea, a school in Uruguay, has done much in rehabilitating the crippled children Of Uruguay. From nine to four o'clock, five days a week, the children attend the school. They receive treatment prescribed by the doctors. The school is a private institution and the only one of its kind in South America. It is financed in part by the pupils, who pay ~ccording to their means. Public spirited citizens donate even furniture and utensils to help support the school. International News America will Fight ... (Continued from page 22) What is needed before U.S. aid can be extended "It is already evident, before the· United States government can proceed much further in its efforts to alleviate the situ'ation and help start the European world on its way to recovery, there must be some agreement among the countries of Europe as to the requirement of the situation and the ·part these countries themselves wiH take in order to give proper effect to whatever action might be undertaken by this gov-. ernment. It would be neither fitting nor efficacious for this government to undertake to draw up unilaterally a program designed to place Europe on its feet economically. This is the business of Europeans. The initiative, I think, must come from Europe. The role of this country should consist of friendly aid in the drafting of a European program and of later support of such program so far as it may be practical for us to do so. The program should be a joint orte, agreed to by a number, if not all, of the European nations." Study Helps 1. What are the prOblems of reconstructing Europe? 2. Why is there a breakdown in the division of labor? 3 . Do you think the policy of the United States is sound? Why? 4 . Do you think Russia is trying to profit from the misery of some European nations? Give proofs if you believe in the affirmative. 5. What is the danger of Russia's profiting from the misery 0:£ nations? 6. Do you think the conditiOns set by the United States on extending aid reasonable? Why? United Nations Se'fies Special Report on the Activities of the United Nations Outside Interference in Greece In December, 1946, the Security Council appointed a commission to make an on-the-spot investigation of the border disputes between Greece· and her northern neighbors. The creation of the commission was the answer to the formal complaint filed by Greece before the Security Council. After working for more than four months, the commission prepared a report blaming Yugoslavia, Albania, and Bulgaria for interference in the internal affairs of Greece. The report blamed Yugoslavia for supporting the guerrilla warfare in Greece; and recommended that the United Nations condemn as a threat to world peace the support of armed bands violating the Balkan frontiers. What is the significance of the report? "The commission's report/' writes the Milwaukee Journal, "is a valuable piece of work. It pins the guilt clearly and unmistakably where it belongs for the rest of the world to see. It makes plain who is threatening peace in the Balkans." The Washington Star declares that the Russian and Polish representatives on the inquiry body ''have systematically acted in every phase of the deliberations in a manner contrary not only to the majority but also to the aims and purposes for which the commission itself was set up." The Chicago Sun commented: "The UN commission report is headed for a fight in the Security Council. World opinion cert'ainly will' not support any attempt by Russia to obstruct the establishment of control against 30 • further violations of the Greek border." The report makes a number of specific suggestions for the stabilizing of the Balkan situation and for the preventioD. of fUrther aggression. It recommends the holding of border conventions, the creation of a border commission· serving for two yeai-s, the segregation of refugees or their repatriation, and the voluntary transfer of minorities. These suggestions are undoubtedly constructive. If carried· out, they would certainly solve the Balkan border problem. Study Helps 1. What punitive action do you suggest against the countries accused of interference? 2~ Should a permanent commission be assigned in Greece to report on future violations of peace in Greece? Why? Another Historic lnvtlstigation A historic investigation of another explosive spot for world conflicts is now going on. The UN General Assembly held a special session during the latter part of April and earlier part of May at the request of Great Britain in order to solve the problem of Palestine. After 18 days of bitter discussion, the UN General Assembly created an 11nation commission of inquiry to make an investigation of Palestine. The commission was instructed ·to hand in its report before the ~gular ·assembly session in September, 1947. The commission is composed of 11 neutral nations -Sweden, Peru, Czechoslovakia, CanaCurrent Events Review cia, Netherlands, Australia, Urugui.y, Iran, Guatemala, and Yugoslavia. What is the significance of the news? In closing the special UN General Assembly session, President Oswaldo Aranha of Brazil termed the Palestine problem the most decisive test with. which the United Nations has been confronted. He said, however, that the United Nations faces this test without discouragement and that the 65 united nations are "inescapably committed to finding a just solution for the Palestine problem." It is significant to note that during the special session two conflict.ing ideals were presented. The Arab committee spokesman, Emil Ghouri, said that his organization would refuse to consider any solution of the Palestine problem which. entails loss of Arab sovereignty, over any part of Palestine. The Syrian Delegate, El Khouri, said: "Any solution which is other than the establishment of a free, democratic state and stopping of future immigration, will not be accepted by Syria." The Jewish spokesman said that the problem of Palestine is directly concerned with the problem of displaced Jews in Europe. Defending the right of the Jews to enter Palestine and settle, Shertok said that an Arab minority ih Palestine would always be secure because Palestine would always be surrounded by Arab states. He said, "Jews come to Palestine not to fight the Arab world, but to live in peace with it." He characterized the.Jews as "an old Asian people returning home." Th~ commission of inquiry is delegated with a difficult task. It must solve the Palestine question with definiteness and juirtice for all. Whatever the findings of the commission will be, the world expects appropriate action will be taken next September by the General Assembly when the question comes up for general airing. One World Study Helps 1. Durh;1.g the session, the Arabs insisted that the commission be required to include the investigation of the problem of independence for Palestine. Do you know the reason for this insistence? 2. During the session, the Jewish Agency made it known that the ultimate goal of the Jews is independence"-perhaps in five years. The Arabs made it clear that an independent Arab state must· be established, with the present Arab two-to-one majority. Can you give the reasons for the difficulties of the Palestine problem. Background Materials Every student would like to know the backgrounds of Palestine question and the ·prob!em of peace in Greece. The following references will give you sufficient backgrounds: 1. "The Problem of Palestine" Current Events Review, SeptemberOctober, 1946, pp. 11-13 and 19. 2. "The Report of the Anglo·Ameri· can Committee of Inquiry on Palestine," Current Events Review, November, 1946, pp. 3 and 20. 3. "Greece Fights for Peace," Current • Events Review, February, 1947, pp. 11-12. International Court of Justice will Tackle a Ticklish Dispute A ticklish problem left unsolved by the UN's Security Council will now be taken up by the International Court of Justice. Great Britain charged that Al· bania laid the mines which damaged two British ships and killed 44 British sailors * 31 and injured 42 others on October 22, 1946, in the Strait of Corfu, Albania. The question was presented to the Security Council for discussion. Th.e Council set up a fact-finding board. During the discussion Russia defended Albania. Albania, according to Andrei Gromyko, was innocent Of the crime attributed to her by Great Britain. Great Britain argued that the mines could not have been laid. without the knowledge of Albania. The resolution was "vetoed" by Russia, hence no action was taken aga.inst Albania. The Security Council recommended on April 9 that the British and Albanian governments should immediately refer their dispute to the International Court of Justice. Hysni Kappo of Albania and Andrei Gromyko opposed the resolution recommended by the Security Council on the gro'lnd that Albania is not guilty of the charge. The President of the Security Council, Dr. Quo Tai-chi of China, contended that, since the resolution is intended to pave the way for a reopening of the negotiations, a peaceful settlement of the case might be found. The Security Council voted on the reSolution - Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Syria, and the United States voted in favor of the resolution; Poland and Russia abstained from the voting. The British government did not vote because she is a party to the dispute. What is the significance of the news? "The present fight with Britain," writes the New Republic, "over the Corfu channd is the culmination of a farreaching mutual distrust in the AngloRussian struggle for dominance over the Mediterranean and its environs." Colonel W. R. Hodgson of Australia said that the issue concerned not only Britain and Albania but the nations of the world. Seven nations out of nine voted that the minefield was laid with 32 * the knowledge of the Albanian government. Colonel Hodgson regretted that Russia voted the first resolution of Britain which stated that the "laying of mines in peace time withou"t notification is unjustified and an offense against humanity." The International Court of Justice is now faced with a very ticklish problem. Study Helps 1. Explain the contention -of the New Republic. 2. Do you believe in the first British resolution? Why? 3. What do you think of Dr. Quo Tai-chi's opinion? 4. Give the significance of the Corfu Channel conflict? References 1. "Troubled Waters," New Republic,, March 10, 1947, p. 34. 2. "Incidents in Corfu Channe1," Weekly Bulletin: United N atwns, April 22, 1947, pp. 403-404. 3. ''Corfu Dispute Recommended for Court," Weekly Bulletin: Uniterl Natwns, April 22, 1947, pp. 415416. To Our Readers: Keep your ten issues of CURRENT EVENTS RE you will have a new b. more than 300 pages on c history. We can bind your copie. nominal price. Current Even:· Why the Current fvents Review The CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW begins its third year of servi('e to high school students. The CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW is the only new smagazine that presents Current Events materials for classroom purpose~. The CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW completes and makes up-to· date the study of history and other social science subjects. 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