Current Events Review. Vol. V, No.2 August 1949

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Part of Current Events Review

Title: Current Events Review. Vol. V, No.2 August 1949
Issue Date: Vol. V (No. 2) August 1949
Year: 1949
Language: English
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extracted text: CURRENT EVENTS REVIEW A newsmagazine that completes and makes up-to-date the study of history and other social science subjects. DIOSDADO G. CAPINO VENANCIO NEBRIDA Editor Circulation Manager D.R. MANLAPAZ Publisher In this issue Page Why Soviet Policy Made Atlantic Pact Necessary 33 What has the General Assembly Done? 35 Accomplishments of the Economic and Social Council ... , . 37 What is the Russian Side on the Atlantic Pact? . . . . 38 What was Accomplished by the Latest Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Why was the Berlin Blockade Lifted? . . . . . 42 Why is tl1e Text of the Western Proposal for a Unified Germany Significant? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Why do You Think the Cold War will Continue? 47 How will the United States Arm Western Europe? 49 Will the Indonesian Problem be Finally Solved? .. · 51 How is Germany Related to Europe? 53 The Philippines and the World . . . 54 Significant World News Roundup 56 Science Marches On - . . 60 Published monthly except May and June by MANLAPAZ PUBLISHING CO. 123-125 Reten, Sampaloc, Manila Subscription: P3.00 a year, Pl.50 a semester, 30 centavos per co,py. When changing address give old as well as new address. Address all communi4 cations to the Current Events Review. Copyright, 1949 by D. R. Manlapaz and D. G. Capino. All rights reserved. Entered as second-class mail matter January 9, 1947 at the Manila post-office. * Ai·e the reasons iwtified? Why Soviet Policy Made Atlantic Pact Necessary Specific objectives: 1. To understand why there is insecurity in the worl_d today 2. To know how insecurity can be removed 3. To appreciate the importance of Soviet cooperation Why are we afraid? The conclusion of the Atlantic Treaty resulted from fears created by the policy of the Soviet Union, Philip C. Jessup, U.S. ambassador-at-large, recently said. He pointed out that th-e Soviet Union can at any time allay those fears by a change in its policy. Speaking before the Academy of Political Science, Jessup cited the two main features of Soviet policy which have caused a ser,se of insecurity to pervade the world: refusal to cooperate in making the United Nations the effective instrument for world peace it was intended to be; and the Soviet stand that war is inevitable, impelling other states to take defensive precaution,s. The situation, Jessup continued, was made 11crystal clear" by Paul·Henri Spaak, Belgian prime minister, at the Paris session of the U.N. General Assembly. He quoted Spaakls reply to Andre Vishinsky, the chief Soviet spokesman, who had made it perfectly piain that his country was not going to cooperate in solving aDIY of the agenda problems before the assembly. Spaak said th·en: "I must answer you. I think I llni. the one to do it, because no one could consider that Belgium is· trying: to ·be pre>vocative against the Soviet Union. We are afraid because by your conduct you have rendered . this organization inef· fective. We are afraid because the problem before this assembly have remained· unsolved; because even when a solution is proposed by a majority of the United Nations, you have refused to adhere to this solution. We are afraid. because we have placed all our hopes and confidence in the defensive organization of the United Nations; anO through the policy you have pursued, you are forbidding us to seek our se· curity and our salvation within tlle framework of a regional arrangement. We are afraid of you because, in every country represented here, you are maintaining a fifth column., beside which the Hitlerite fifth column is nothing but a boy scout organization, if I might say so. There is not a single spot in the world, whether in Asia, whether in Europe, or whether in Af· rica, where a government fails to find difficulties and these difficulties are being still further aggravated by you ... " "Si'nce SpaalG made this lucid state· ment," Jessup continued, "the recent series of declarations by Communist leaders in a number of countries to tlie effect that their first loyalty was to the Soviet Union and not the countries of their ostensible allegiance has done nothing to alay those fears. While that sense of insecurity pervades the world, the United Nations cannot flourish and develop as it should. Here we go around the circle, because the United Nations itself cannot remove the sense of insecurity until it has reached a full sta:ge· development based primarily on *-83 the cooperation of all the permanent members of the Security Council. How can we secure a sense of security? "At this present juncture of world affairs, there are two principal ways in which the sense of insecurity can be removed, given the nature of those fears and the s~urce from where they spring. One way, and the way most to be desired, is a change in the policy of the Soviet government. "I shall comment on only one of the changes in the policy of the Soviet government which would contribute to a world·wide sense of security. I refer to the question which Spaak mentioned, the question of cooperation in the United Nations to strengthen the United Nations. 0 It sometimes seems to be assumed that it is the Soviet Union which is cooperating with the Uroted Nations and that it is the United States which, in entering into this North Atlantic Treaty, is refusing to cooperate." As for U.S. entry into the treaty, Jessup said: "There is nothing in the pact to call for or justify the use of force against any other state which loyally complies with the charter of the United Natiorui. It has been made abundantly clear that the treaty has not been concluded for the purpose of justifying or provoking war but rather for the purpose of making war much Jess likely.. No government of a state not a party to the treaty can say that this treaty is directed against it unless withdraw from one of them - the World Health Organization - whereas the United States belongs to all 13. He continued: "The Soviet Union has never taken its seat in the interim committee but it can do so w~enever it is willing to CO· operate in this part of the joint endeavor for peace. The United States has actively cooperated in all phases of the work of this committee. "The interim conunittee also has the function of guidi~g certain United Nations commissions when the General Assembly is not in session, specifically the Korean and Balkan complissions. The Soviet Union has not cooperated in the work of those commissions. The United States has cooperated. "These are specific points. More could be listed. More could be said about the many other Soviet attitudes and positions which, as Spaak said, have brought about the conviction that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is not cooperating with and through the United Nations to make the peace secure. "None but the Soviet government can alter the existing impression. The So· viet government can begin tomorrow to build · up confidence where it has already built up fear. I do not deny that it will need to over-come great skepticism, but no one has closed or is at· tempting to close the door on an honest attempt. Why Soviet cooperation is important that government is prepared to put on "It is impossible to overlook the funthe cap which marks it as having ag- damenta! cleavage in the basic theory gressive intentions against one or of the Soviet Union on the one hand more parties to the treaty." and of the United States on the other. On Soviet failure to support the The Soviet Union officially stands on United Nations, Jessup pointed out the proposition that war is inevitable." that the Soviet Union belongs to only Jessup recalled Premier Stalin's fond· two of the 13 U.N. specialized agencies, ness for quoting Lenin's statement that :>nil recently gave notice of intent to (Ple"8• turn. to pa.ge 64) 34 * Current Events Review VoL V, No. 2 * United Nations Series No. 36 What has ihe General Assembly Done? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the reason why the Assembly was called to another session 2. To understand the problems taken up by the Assembly · 3. To get acquainted with the accomplishments of the Assembly Why was the session held? The session of the General Assembly held from April 5, 1949 to May 18, 1949 was a, con;tinuation of its third regular session. The first part of th~ session was held in .Paris, France last year. The session was held to finish discus· sions of the problems not taken over during the first session of the third regular session of the Assembly. Conditions under which the As· sembly worked World conditions, when the delegates from 58 nations met on April 5, 1949 at Flushing Meadow, Long Island, were tense. The "cold war" was at its height The Allied airlift in Berlin was undergoing its severest test because of weather conditions. Change.s were be· ing effected ht the Russian governmen,t. World conditions then gave rise to cer· tain speculations as to what might be the next possible moves of Russia in the "cold war". The assembly met in an atmosphere of gloom. While the delegates were deliberating on their work, a number of events took place. First, the North Atlantic Pact was signed in April. The first session of the 81st U.S. Congress passed a bill to support the European Recovery Frogram for its second year. The various states of Western Germany decidWorld Affairs ed to establish a republic. Plans for the ratification of the Bonn constitution were prepar.ed. Ten countries of Europe finally sign.ed an agreement to set up a Council of Europe. Chinese Communists were reaping victories in China. Unexpectedly the Uutch government decided to effect a truce in Indonesia. Lastly Russia decided to end the Berlin blockade. Plans were also made for the sixth session of the Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss the whole German Question on May 28, 1949. What were accomplished by the Assembly? Several important accomplishments were achieved by the General Assembly. 1. Admission of Israel - Israel, the youngest nation in the world, was a'a.mitted as the 59th member of the United Nations. 2. No action on the veto. - The veto is a voting privelege granted to the five permanent members of the United Nations - the Vnited States, Great Britain, Russia, France, and China. It has been agreed that on substantive matters the veto of any of the Big Five can stop action. Russia has used the veto 30 times. Its abuse and misuse by Russia have hindered the progress of the Security Council. So, a plan was prepared to reduce the use of the veto. The Council, however, failed to take on the veto. 3. Italian colonies. - The General Assembly discussed the future of the former ·-Italian colonies. A compromise plan was presented for the disposition of the subject. Unfortunately however, conflicting inte~ests lead to the defeat of the plan. No defjnite decision was arrived at during this session. So, the * 35 present military administration of former Italian colonies will have to continue indefinitely. 4. Spain. - The most troublesome question tackled by the Assembly was the Spanish question. In 1946, a resolution was adopted by the Assembly asking the member nations of the United Nations to withdraw their ambassadors from Spain. A Latin-American resolution to permit the sending of ambassadors to Spain was once more defeated by four votes short of the required two-thirds votes. 5. Call for an answer on cha;rges of unjust trials. - Hungary and Bulgaria were charged of unjustly holding trials against Cardinal Mindszenty and ·15 Protestant churchmen_ A resolution was adopted by the Assembly calling the accused countries to answer the charges. Both countries were mainly charged with violating human rights. 6. Rights of newsmen. - A convention was approved by the Assembly to protect the rights of correspondents and news agencies. The resolution is intended to give importance to freedom of inf'ormation. 7. Guard force to be St!ldied, - The Charter of the United Nations provided for the creation of a police force to protect its own officials. The Assembly has set up a special 14-nation committee to work out a plan for a small United Nations "guard" to protect missions sent to different parts of the world. 8. South-India talks. - A complaint was filed by India against the Union of South Africa for maltreatment of the Indian and Negro population. The Assembly called on South Africa to hold talks with Ind.ia to settle their differences. to postpone further hearing of the Indonesian problem until September, 1949 with the hope that some agreement might be reached by the Dutch government and the Republic of Indonesia. 10. Action of wives. - Russia was charged by Chile with the accusation that Russia would not permit Russian wives of foreign husbands to leave the Soviet Union. A resolution adopted by the Assembly recommended that Ru~sia change her policy. What is the significance of the session? When the session of the Assembly resumed, few expected that jiomething tangible could be accomplished because of the wrangling and disagreements that took place in Paris last year. The results of the second session were fair. The achievements were the results of a true relaxation of tension between Russia and tlie West. It is now believed that if the relations between Rus· sia and the West were on good fa~rms, much could be done by the United Natioll,6 and that those who are skeptical about the future of tho United Nations would pause for a while and see the power of the organization in promoting world peace. It is important to remember that the 11 besetting sin of the last session of the Assembly was not its oratory or its propaganda, although in past yea1·s much of the speech-making has been so bitter and intemperate that it has done actual harm. The real weakness, which can become fatal over the years, is a willingness to water down a resolution for the sake of harmony until it be· comes mere verbiage." Exercises to Develop Thinking 9. Indonesian Question. - The In- 1. From the above listing of the donesian question was about the achievements of the Assembly, why can Dutch "police action" taken .by the you say that the Assembly accomplished home government against the Repub- something useful? lie of Indonesia. The Assembly agreed (Please turn to page 44) 36 • Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 * Why are the acco1nplishments significant? Accomplishments of the Economic and Social Council Specific objectives: 1. To· know the accomplishments of the ECOSOC 2. To understand the significance of these accomplishments The U. N. Economic and Social Council has ended its eighth session here, highlighted by actions setting in motion a world program for the deyelopment of underdeveloped areas. During its session, recently concluded, the 18-member council voted to instruct the U .N. secretsriat to make a study of technical aid available for the program of economic assistance to underdeveloped areas. This action was an outgrowth of proposals set forth by Prooident Truman in his inaugural address. Resolutions sponsored by the United States and Chile called upon the secretariat to draft a comprehensive global program to be carried out·by the United Nations. Secretary General Trygve Lie announced that the secretariat has already commenced the study proposed by the ECOSOC. Lie reported that he had held discussions with the heads of five U.N. specialized agencies and had scheduled meetings with three more. He said the next major step would be a meeting of experts at Lake Success followed by a meeting in May of the administrative coordination committee, for final descision on specific proposals. The council also made major decisions on seven other matters; but the voting throughout the session was made conspicuous by a consistent division of 15-3, with the Soviet Union, Poland and Byelorussia in the minority . . . opposing most issues. The 30 days of disWorld Affairs cussion were marked by many acid arguments. The council ordered an investigation of forced labor, by the Iaternational Labor Organization. The matter was climaxed with charges by the largest labor union in the United States-the American Federation of Labor-that millions of persons are held in forced labor in the Soviet Union. AFL support its charges with affidavits from persons alleged to have served in Russian forced labor camps, In addition, Vl'>'.llard L. Thorp, then U. S. assistant secretary of state, charged that between eight million and 14 million persons in Russia are living under virtual slavery in more than 100 labor camps. The Soviet Union did not deny the existence of such camps, but termed them "corrective," and said the subject was purely an internal matter. On other topics, the council approved continuation of its sub-commission on freedom of information and the press, to be composed of independent experts. It requested that the ILO study the matter of equal pay for men and women doing equal work. It directed the International Refugee Organization to continue its efforts toward 1·esettlement of Europe's- displaced persons. It decided th3.t international non-governmental organizations with branches in Spain are eligible for consultative status; providing they had no policy-making powers and served a purely humanitarian purpose. The group also called upon members to guarantee trade union rights. A majority rejected a Polish propo_sal relating to alleged economic discrimination. (Please turn to page 64) • 37 * Is the Russian objection justified? What is the Russian Side on the Atlantic Pact? (We have given the American lside on the Atlantic Pact in the previous is-sues of this magazine. The Soviet Government's view on the Atlantic Pact is given in its memorandum of March 31, 1949 to the nations that sponsored the. Atlantic Treaty) On March 18, the State Department of the United States pu.blished the text of the North Atlantic Treaty which the governments of the United States, Great Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherland_s, Luxembourg and Canada signed. that this Treaty is directed against the Soviet Union. The fact that the North Atlantic Treaty is direct..!d against the U.S.S.R. as well as againist the countries of "people's democracies" was definitely pointed out also by the official representatives of the United States of America, Great Britain and France. To justify the conclusion of the North Atlantic Treaty, references are being made to the fact that the Soviet Union has defensive treaties with the so-called The text of the North Atlantic Treaty people's democracies. fully confirms what was said in the dee- These references, however, are utterlaration of the Ministery of Foreign Af- ly untenable. fairs of the U.S.S.R. on January 29 this year, both as regards the aggressive aims of this Treaty and $e fact that the North Atlantic Treaty contradicts the principles and aims of the United N ationis organization and the commitments which the governments of the United States of America, Great Britain and France have assumed unAll the treaties of the Soviet Union on friend3hip and mutual assistance with the countries of people's democracies are of a bilateral nature, and they are directed Golely against the possible repe .. tition of German aggression, of which danger no single peace-loving state can be unaware. der ot~er treaties and agreementa. The possibility of interpretfng them as treaties which are in any degree aimThe statements contained in the North ed against the allies of the U.S.S.R. in Atlantic Treaty that it is designated for the last war, against the United States defense aiid recognizes the principles of or Great Britain or France, is abso 4 the United Nations organization serve lutely precluded. aims which have nothing in common Moreover, the U.S.S.R. has similar either with the tasks of self-defense of treaties against a repetition of German the parties to the Treaty or with real aggression not only with the countries recognition of the aims and principles of of people's democracy, but also with the United Nations organization. Great Britain and France. Such great powers as the United In contradiction to this, the North AtStates, Great Britain, and France are ]antic Treaty is not bilateral, but a parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. closed grouping of states and, what fa Thue the Treaty is not directed either particularly• important, absolutely igagainst the United States of America, nores the possibility of a repetition of Great Britain, or France. German 'aggression, not having conseOf the great powers only the Soviet quently as' its aim the prevention of a Union is excluded from among the par.. new German aggression. ties to this Treaty, a fact which shows (Please turn to page 59) 38 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 * Was the conference worthwhile? What was Accomplished by the Latest Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers? Specific objectives: 1. To know the reason why the · latest conference was held 2. To get acquainted with the problems taken up in the conference 3. To kno'v the accomplishments of the conference 4. To appreciate the significance of the latest conference The Big Four - the United States, Great Britain, France, and Russia - recently ended their historic meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. · Why waa the conference called? What problems were taken up? What was accomplished by the conference? What is the significance of the conference? Background of the conference The latest conference of the Council of Foreign Ministers was the third conference held on the problem of Germany. Twice before the Big Four met to discuss and settle the German problem. They first met in Moscow from Marclt 10, 1947 to April, 1947. Then they met again in London from November 2s; 1947 to December 15, 1947. In these two conferences many problems were discussed. The issues raised were so important that the Big Four coufd not come to a final agreement because of the refusal of the United States to compromise essential principles on the liberty and rights of the German and Austrian peoples. Russia did not wholeheartedly cooperate because she had her own plan on the German problem. On Jone 23, 1948, the Russian government imposed the Berlin blockade in order to force the three Western powers out of Germany. Then on June 24, World Affairs 1948 the three Western powers imposed their counter-blockade. The blockades lasted for more than ten months. Duri~g the laat week of April, 1949, Russia moved to lift the Berlin blockade. Agreements were reached by the four occupying powers of Germany to lift the blockade on May 12, 1949 and to convoke the Council of Foreign Ministers to session on May 23, 1949 to d:<.cuss the whole German quegtion. - Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers The Council of Foreign Ministers held its session; in Paris, France fro~ May 23 to June 20, 1949, during which the German question and the Austrian treaty were discussed. The Big Four who met were Dean Gooderham Acheson of the United States, Andrei Y. Vishinsky of Russia, Ernest Bevin of Great Britain, and Robert Schuman of France. The three Western powers approached the conference with suspicion of Russia on account of her performance in previous sessions of the Council of Foreign Ministers. They were, however, willing to come to an agreement without compromising essential principles. Russia bn the other hand approached the conference with a willingness to compromise. Among the pro'tiJems taken up were the unification of Germany, the government of a united Germany, the economic unity of Germany, and the writing of the Austrian Treaty. What was accomplished by the CFM? The following accomplishments were *39 taken from the final communique issued by the CFM on JuM 20, 1949~ The German Question 1. During the course of the fourth session of the General A3semb!y of the United. Nations to be convenled next September, the four governments, through representatives at the Assembly, will exchange views regarding the date and arrangement·s for the next session of the Council of Foreign Ministers on the German question. 2. The occupation authorities, in the light of the intention of the ministers to continue their efforts to achieve the restoration of the economic and political unity of Germany, will consult together in Berlin on a quadripartite basis. 3. These consultations will have as their purpose, among others, the mitigation of the effects of the present administrative division of Germany and of Berlin, notably in matters listed below: A. Expansion of trade and. development of the financial and economic relations between the Western zones and the Eastern zone and between Berlin and the zones. B . Facilitation of the movement of persons and goods and the exchange of information between the \Vestern zones and the Eastern zone and between Berlin and the zones. C , Consideration of questions of common interest refating to the administration of the four seotors in Berlin with a view to normalizing, as far as possible, the life of the city. 4. In order to assist in the work envisaged in Paragraph 3, the respective occupation authorities may call up German experts and appropriate German qrganizations in their respective jurisdictions for assistance. The Germans so called upon should exchange, if pertinent data, prepare reports, and, if agreed between them, submit proposals to the occupation authorities 5. The governments of France, the U n,ion of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom and the United States agree that the New York agreement of May .4, 1949 shall be maintained. Moreover, in order to further promote the aims set forth in the preceding para. graphs, and in order to improve and supplement this and other arrangements an,d agreements as regards the move:. ment of persons and goods and communications between the Eastern zone and the Western zone and between the zones and Berlin, and also in regard to transit, the occupation authorities, ea.ch in his zone, will have the oblig.f~ tion to take the measures necessary to ensure the normal functioning and uti_ }ization of rail, water , and road trans· port for the movement of persons and goods and for such communication as post, telephone and telegraph. 6. The occupation authorities will recommend to the leading German economic bodies of the F astern and Western zones that they facilitate the estalilishme;nt of close economic ties be· tween the zo~s and develop more effective impleµientation of trade and other economic agreements. The Austrian Treaty The Council of Foreign Ministers have agreed: A. That Austria's frontiers shall lie those of January 1, 1938. B. That Austria shall guarantee to protect the rights of Slovene and Croat minorities in that country. C. That reparations shall not be exacted from Austria but that Yugoslavia shall have the right to seize, retain or liquidate Austrian property, rights and interests within Yugoslav territory. D. That the Soviet Union shall receive from Austria $150 million in freely convertible currency, to be paid in six years. 40 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 E . That the definitive setttlement shall include: 1. The relinquishment by Austria of all property, rights or interests held or claimed as German assets and war in· dustrial enterprises, houses and similar immovable property in Austl"ia herd or claimed as war booty on the understanding that the deputies will. be instructed to define more accurately the categories of war booty transferred_ to Austria (with the exceptiOn of those oil assets and DSC (Danube Shipping Company) - properties transferred to the Soviet Union under other paragraphs of Article 35 of the treaty, indicated in the USSR proposals of January 24, ~948, as revised, and retained in general under Austrian jurisdiction). Accordingly, the assets of DSC (Danube Shipping Company) in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Rumania as well as 100 per cent of the assets of the company in eastern Austria, in accordance with a list to be agreed upon by the deputies, will be transferred to the USSR. 2. That the rights, properties and interests transferred to the USSR as well as the rights, properties and interests which the USSR cedes to Austria shall be transferrea without any charges or clc.ims on the part of the USSR or on the part of Austria. At the same time, it is understood that the word "charges or claims" mean not only creditor claims arising out of the exercise of Allied control of these rights, properties, and interests after May 8, 1945, but also all other claims including claims in respect o{ taxes. It is also understood that the reciprocal waivers by the USSR and Austria of charges and daims apply to all suCh charges and claims as exist on the date whea Austria formalizes the rights of the USSR to the German assets transferred to it and on the ·date of the actual transfer to Austria of the assets ceded by the USSR. World Affairs F. That all former German assets which have b.ecome the property of the USSR shall not be subject to allienation without the consent of the USSR. G. That the deputies shall resume their work promptly for the purpose of· reaching agreement Mt later than September 1, 1949 on the draft treaty as a whole. What is the sigl\ificance of the accomplishments of the CFM? The accomplishments of the CFM are not very significant but the outcome is better than nothing. Why? First, Germany will continue to be divided. Second, the future political status of Germ.any remains unsolved. Editors a,,.d commentators in the United States agree that the ultimate value of the agreements on Germany and a treaty with Austria depend on the manner in whiCh the Soviet Union carries out the obligations entailed therein. Although progress was made on the solution of the German prol:ilem, not much could be expected ff Russia does not abide by all the agreements reached. The 3.greements show that Russia has modified some of her previous stands on Germany and Austria. Theoretically Russia is willing to have all of Germany united. The powers in fact pledged themselves formally to continue to seek agreement on German unification. Exercises to Develop Thi11king 1. Why did Russia seek another session of the Council of Foreign Ministers? 2 . Why has Russia modified some of her previous stands on Germany? 3. In what way does the success of agreement depend on Russia's future performance in connection with the provisions of the treaty? 4. Has the agreement in some way eased the international tension? How? * 41 * Why i8 the lifting of the blockade a victory for the lkmocracies? Why was the Berlin Blockade Lifted? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the motives of Russia in imposing the blockade 2. To get acquainted with the counter-blockade of the Western democracies 3. To know why the blockade was lifted 4. To appreciate the significaJllle of the lifting of the blockade One of the significant phases of the "cold war" between the Western democracies and Russia took place over Berlin. Berlin is in the Russian zone of occupation. It has been the seat of the uKommandatura," the four-power Allied Control Council. Berjin, the famous "island/' has become t~e symbol of the firmness of the Western democracies in keeping faith with international commitments. Russia used Berlin as a testing ground for either the possible retreat of the Western democracies or Western appeasement. She imposed the Berlin blockade last year. The democracieS countered with the "airlift". The struggle in Berlin that lasted for more than 10 months ended on May 12, 1949. Why did Russia impose the blockade? What measures did the Wes tern democracies take? Why did Russia decide to end the blockade? What is the significance of the lifting of the blockade? Russia's objectives in imposing the blockade j' All freight and passenger service from the Western zones of Germany to Berlin is hereby suspended because of technical troubles." Russia's real intention in imposing the blockade was to force the United States, Britain, and France out of Berlin because of the three Western powers' decision to push through their plan for the formation of a Western Ger.many. Russia's refusal to cooperate with the three Western powers to settle the German Question forced the three Western powers to form Western Germany by uniting their zones of occupation. The counter blockade of the Western powers On June 24, 1948, the American, British, and French Military governments in Germany imposed a counter blockade. They banned all shipments of goods to the Russian sector of Germany. Two days later the "airlift" was inaugurated. Fifty transport planes manne<i by British and American pilots flew into Berlin which became an "island". Supplies were flown to the beleaguered city. The Battle for Berlin in the 11 cold war" thus began. Battle for Berlin was spectacular The Berlin blockade began on June 23, 1948 and ended on May 12, 1949. The lives of 2,250,000 Berliners in the Western sector of Germany were in· volved in; the "cold war". British and The Berlin blockade was the hottest American planes heroically took part offensive launched by Russia in the in the ''airlift". During the Allied air"cold war". It is now known as "Oper- lift's record of 324 days, 189,247 flights ation Squeeze". It was imposed by were made. About 1,528,250 tons of Russia by a terse announcement pub- food and supplies we"e delivered. Thoulished in the Soviet-licen•ed news serv- sands of men supported the British ice in Berlin. The announcement said: and American pilots. Many technicians 42 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 operated the radar controls to direct traffic from the control towers. T~ey kept the planes coming into Berlin at the rate of one every three minutes in " delicately designed pattern. If a pilot fell as much as two minutes behind schedule he was ordered back to the takeoff point to try over again. Ground crews kept nearly 500 planes in tiptop shape. Russia expected to win, the Battle for Berlin by imposing the blockade. She was mistaken in her belief because the airlift was made into a spectacular success. It carried on through the worst months of the winter. The economy of the Russian zone of occupation was hurt by the Allied coun-.r-blockade. By January, 1949, the situation in the battle has changed in favor of the Western powers. Russia began changing her offensive The Western powers remained firm in their belief that there would be no change in the German problem unless there was a chaiige in the shift of the balance of power. They believed that the change could come in their favor by ( 1) the success of the Marshall Plan in Western Europe, (2) completion of the formation of the West German state as announced by the United States, Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg on June 7, 1948, and (3) organization of the Atlantic nations into a binding defense pact. Stalin saw the success of the Marshall Plan, knew of the talk!! going on for the formation of the West German state, and the negotiations for the formation of the Atlantic Pact. In Janukry, 1949, Premier Stalin made peace overtures. Indirectly he indicated a change in Russia's offensive. In an interview conducted with Kingsbury Smith of the International News Service, Stalin said that ·Russia saw no World Affairs reason why the Berlin blockade could not be lifted provided that the plan for the West German state would be postponed and the Allied counter-blockade simultaneously ·ended. The Allies, however did not give serious attention to Stalin's peace offensive. Later Russia made a series of moves. She effected a shakeup in the Russian government. Foreign Minister Viacheslav F. Molotov was relieved of his position and the job was handed over to Andrei Vishinsky, _a tough man and clever technician. Miyokan was relieved of his post as head of the Ministery of Foreign Trade with Mens~·.i~ kov succeeding him. Russia's new moves· gave indication that the "cold war" was not to turn into a "hot war''. Decision to end the Berlin blockade The decision to end the Berlin blockade came about as a result of conversation between Ambassador-at-large Philip C. Jessup, a delegate to the United Nations Security Council and Jacob A. Malik, the Russian. delegate to the same body. After two months of secret meetings of which the British and French governments were informed, a communique announcing the end of the Berlin blockade was issued on May 4, 1949. A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers was then called on May 23, 1949. Why the blockade was lifted The announcement of the lifting of the Berlin blockade came exactly 31li days after the full-scale blockade was enforced by the Russians on June 23, 1948. Several factors brought about the Russian decision to lift the blockade. First, a shift in the balance of power had taken place in favor of the Western powers through the conclusion of the North Atlantic Pact on April 4, (Please turn to page 44) • 43 Why was the Berlin Blockade ... (Continued from. page 43) 1949 binding twelve nations to a mu· tual defense allianee. Second, the Western powers pressed German politicians to write the constitution for the West German state. Russia does not like the creation of the West German state. Third, the economic i·ecovery of Western Europe is progressing. The success of the Marshall Plan completely defeated the Molotov Plan to wreck the American program for the economic recovery of Western Europe. Fourth, the "airlift" was a huge success and helped in defeating the Russian blockade of Berlin. Fifth, "the heightened tension ·and the ever-present possibility of a spark in the Berlin situation has had adverse political an,d economic effects on the peoples of Russia and her satellites." Russia realized that sQmething must be done to water down the flames. Sixth, Stalin is worried about economic conditions in Eastern Europe. He now wants to establish friendlier trade relations with the West. At present the West refuses to export security items to Russia and her satellites. Among such items are ball-bearings and machinery. What is the significance of the lifting of the Berlin blockade 1 The end of the Berlin blockade and the counter blockll.de gave relief both to the Berliners and the world. It reWhat has the General Assembly (Continued from page 36) 2. Why do you think did the Assembly refuse to lift the ban on Spain? Do you think the resolution for the restoration of ambassadors to Spain wise? Why? 3. Why do you think the United Nations· postponed action on the Indonesian problems?· (ltead the article on Indonesia in this magazine.) 4. Show how the prestige of, the United Nations was boosted by the last session? Why? tual dislike. "Not a day passed without· incidents which could have been built up into an excuse for resort to force - if either side had wanted to fight. But neither side did want to fight." The airlift has demonstrated to the world a new weapon in diplomacy. For the first time ·iR the history of the world, the British and American authorities in Germany have sbown how powerful air-diplomacy can be. Air diplomacy has succeeded whel'e exchanges of conversations had failed. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why do you think the blockade. was imposed by Russia? stored normal processes of trade in divided Germany. The world became 2. Do you think the airlift was a assured for the meantime that Russia powerful weapon? Why? does not injtend to wage war over Berlin. In an editorial written in the Baltimore Sun, the end of the blockade is .called the end of the most extraor3. In what way was the blockado Cell/lleCted with the problem of the political future of Germany? dinary episodes of the post-war period. 4. How did the blockade affect. the Ten monihs of retaliation and counter.. welfare of the Berliners? retaliation, all of it just barely abort of war and carried on .by both sides in a 5. The airlift was a costly affair. spirit of malevolent correctness and mu- Were the expenditures justified? Why·? 44 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 Why is bhe plan democi·atic? Why is the Text of the Western Proposa.I for a Unified Germany Significant? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the main objective of the Western proposil.l for a unified Germany 2. To get acquainted with the details of the plan for a unified Germany 3. To understand the significance of the plan The W.estern powers presented their plan for a unified Germany during the Latest meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Paris, France beginning May 2'7, 1949. What is the main purpose of the plan? What are its detaile? Why is the plan significant? Text of the proposals "To accomplish the purpose of restoring the political and economic unity of Germany, it is proposed that the following steps be taken to establish a federal government for the whole of Germany: "1. Since the basic law of Bonn has been promulgated after receiving the support of the overwhelming majority of elected representatives of three (Western) zones of occupation, the unification of Germany should be effected in accordance with that law by the making of appropriate arrangements to enable the states of the eastern zone to accede to it. . "2. The following principles in particular would accordingly apply to such accession of the states of the Eastern zone: "a. Freedom of' the person, including freedom of movement, freedom 'from arbitrary arrest an91 detentio'n, freedom of association and assembly, freedom of speech, press and radio. "b . Freedom for all democratic political parties and freedom of elections. World Affairs "c. Independence of the j"udiciary. "The four governments should take all necessary measures to ensure .the application of these principles, including the prohibition of all police for.,. mations exercising political activity. "3. In conjunct~on with the accession of the states of the Eastern. zone, an occupation statute on a quadripartite basis would be enacted. By this statute the termination of military government would be completed and there would be powers entrusted to the federal government except as limited by tbe powers which the Allies reserve to themselves under this statute, notably in the matter of security and the obligations of Germany. The powers reserved would not be exercised in such a way as to prevent the German government from being granted steadily increasing freedom to associate peacefully in the economic and political, but not military, fields with European and other nations. "4. In the economic field Allied reservations would in particular incluae agreed provisions for the limitation or prohibition of certain industries, and the delivery of capital equipment as reparations. No delivery of reparations from current production or Stock would be required. Occupation costs would be determined on a quadripartite basis. Any induStrial enterprise in Germany whose ownership or control was acquired after May. 8, 1945, by or on behalf of any foreign power, would be surrendered and disposed of in accordance with appropriate German legislation, unless such acquisition had quadripartite approval. "Quadripartite control would be exercised by a high commission which would normally make its decisions by majority * 45 vote save in exceptional circumstances to be mutually agreed upon." U. S. press endorses Western powers' proposals The Western powers' proposals for a unified Germany were endorsed by several newspapers in the United States. The proposals were hailed as the correct blueprint for the political future of Germany which has remained divided since Germany's unconditional surrender on May 8, 1946. The proposals were welcomed because they would ultimately restore Germany to the community of nations without being a military menace, What were some of the opinions of the press? Creation of a responsible German republic The Postdam agreement provides for the creation of a responsible German government adequate enough to accept e. peace settlement. "Such a government," wrote the New York Time.c1, "has been created by the 'basic ·law' of Bonn, which establishes a federal republic for Germany. In consequence of the Western powers proposals that the 'basic law' of Bonn, with all its fundamental freedoms, should be the basis for the unification of Germany b)t' enabling the states of the Eastern zone to accede to it. This calls for the end of the Soviet police state in the Eastern zone and the holding of free elections under joint four-power guarantees and presumably supervision. It means in particular that the Western powers proclaim their determination to stand by the. new German republic, and that Germany will either be united as a free ~emocracy, as it is understood in the West, or it will not be united until conditions ch~nge." Western firmness is important "We know now that mere debating triumphs against the Russtans in fourpower meetings do not mean very much. Nevertheless the impact of the Western proposals in the new Foreign Ministei:s meeting in Germany is crushing in its logic." Why is this so? The Baltimore Sun wrote: "Millions of hopeful observers the world over supposed ~n 1945 that when the Russians signed documer¢s promising 'democratic' governments they meant what the Wes~rn signatories meant. Millions believed that . when the Potsdam agreement spoke of liberty, the Russians understood by that term what Westerners do. But the years have shown how false the optimism was. So, when thE) three Western ministers emphasize and underlie their insistence now on the meanings they attached to words like 'democracy' and 'freedom' in 1945, it is easier for the world to comprehend what formidable obstacles these insistences raise against Russian acceptance. These terms are tough from the Russian point of view, but they are minimal in the We.Stern way of thinking. And the West klnows now that it is better to stand pat than yield in compromises whi.ch the Russlans construe differently than .. we do." Exercises to Develop Tliinking 1. Russia has rejected the Western powers' proposals.. Can you give hei' reasons for doing so? 2. What kind of government do you think is suggested by the proposals of the Western powers? Is this government for the advancement of democracy in Germany? Why? 3. Russia rejected the Western powers' proposals. Does she intend to keep Germany divided 1 4. Is a federal republic a hindrance to the Russian proposal of communizing her zone of occupation? Why? 5. What is the significance of free election in the Russian zone of occupation? 46 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 * 1 s the cold war necessary? Why do You Think the Cold War will Continue? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the reasons why the cold war will continue 2. To get acquainted with. the main characteristics of the cold war 3. To understand the significance of the cold war The latest meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers held in Paris, France ended on June 20, 1949. The fourweek conference resulted in an agreement to wriJe the peace treaty with Austria by September 1, 1949 and in a plan to run a divided 'Gennany. Despite substantial accord reached by the Big Four in Paris, the cold war will continue. Why? General characteristics of the cold war A close perusal of the "cold war" as discussed in the January, 1949 issue of this magazine shows that the "cold war" is world wide. It involves important regions in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Among the troubled spots are Greece, Turkey, Korea, China, Manchuria, several states in the Balkans, Germany, and Austria. The "cold war" is also characterized by an alternation of the "hot-cold" technique and "peace" gestures. The first refers to Russian aggressive moves as shown in Greece, China, Korea, Burma, and in several states in the Balkans. The second refers to Russian peace offensives as shown in variou~ Russian proposals in the United Nations and previoUs sessions of the Coun· cil of Foreign Ministers. Russian objectives in the "cold war" Russia's offensives in the "cold war" are based primarily on her policy of World Affai~~ spreading communism in the belief that the time has come for a wo~ld revolution of the proletariat as · proposed bY. Karl Marx 101 years ago. In Europ~ the main Russian objective is to pre· vent Western cooperation for recovery and security. In Asia the objective of Russia is to spread communism in discontended areas such as Burma, China, and Ini!onesia. In the United Nations, the aim of Russia is to win world sympthy in her fight against American imperialism. American objectives in the "cold war" In Europe the main objective of the United States is to help Europe toward recovery and reconstruction. Secretary of State Dean Acheson recently said: 11We have made clear our desire to aid the free peoples of Europe toward recovery and reconstruction." In Asia the aim of the United States is to help check the spread of communism. Russia's moves in the "cold war" Of the most important Russian moves in the "cold war" are the followirig: Dates Russian moves February, 1948 Communists seized the goverllll)ent of Czechoslovakia. May, 1948 June, 1948 June, 1948 Russians opened a peace drive from Moscow. Jtussia established the Berlin blockade. The powerful Cominform denounced Marshal Tito. • 47 July, 1948 July, 1948 Communist guerrillas became active in Ma .. la ya. Communists staged war on the Burmese regime. July-Sept.; 1948 Communists strikes in and Italy. staged France September, 1948 Communists attempted a rebellion in Indonesia. November, 1948 Communists began an offensive in China. December, 1948 Russia withdrew her troops froon Korea. January, 1949 Molotov issued an January, 1949 11Econ9mic Plan" for Russia's satellites. Premier Stalin offered to meet Truman. February, 1949 Communists increased their pressure on JS.April, 1949 pan. Communists open~d their drive for the capture of the Yangtze. Truman "four-point plan" for the extension of American technological knowledge to underdeveloped areas of the world, support of the United Nations, continuation of the aid to both Greece and Turkey, and increasing information service through the Voice of A11\erica. Why th11 "cold war" will continue The present East-West relations indicate that the "cold war" will not terminate in the months ahead although Russia had decided to end the Berlin blockade and call for another meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. Many diplomats believe that the present shift in Russian policy and shakeup in the Russian government are :eierely "tactical moves" for another problematical offensive in the 'ihot-cold war". In a recent address delivered by President Harry Truman at Little Rock, Arkansas, the world was reminded that it is not time for any slackening in the free world's effort to attain the goals of economic health, collective security and a lasting peace. International problems and tensions are still very April, 1949 Russia offered to end complex and severe. Certain groups of the Berlin blockade. Americans, however, believe that America can now relax and that security May..June, 1949 Russia decided to make gained without resorting to defensive concessions in the anti-aggtession measu:res like the Council of Foreign North Atlantic Pact and armaments Ministers. aid for its Eureopean sig'llt\tories. AlAmerica's moves in the "cold war" though such feelings may be understandable they are potentially dangerous in that they could lead, if they America's moves in the "cold war" became widespread, to listlessness, included the following: Approval of the Inaction or too-little-too-late policies of Marshall Plan for the economic recov- the sort that played into Adolf Hitler's ery of Western Europe for the second hands after the first World War. year, recognition of the Republic of Ko- President Truman truly warned the rea, strengthening of the administration peoples of the world not to relax their in Japan, continued support of the plan efforts to bring about lastinkf peace. for the creation of the West German We must not show any fonll of letstate, continuation of the Berlin "air- down now - a letdown tliat would hnlift," discussion of the North Atlantic peril the Western world by (1) undoing Pact in the Senate, announcement of the (Please turn to page 57) 48 * Currel\t Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 * Whg is armei aid needed? How will the United States Arm Western Europe? Specific objectives: 1. To get acquainted wit!) the details of the plan to help Western Europe arm 2. To understand the significance of the plan 'J:he North Atlantic Pact was approved by the United States Senate after it already has been unanimously recommended by the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee. The State Department has recently prepared a plan for providing arms to the nations that signed the North Atlantic Pact. What are the details of the plan? What is the significance of the plan? Why is there a need for the program? '•The need to act now arises,° says the official text, "out of the insecurity and fears of Western Europe and oMier freedom-loving nations of the world. "Free Europeans believe there is serious danger that the progress they have made toward recovery may be wiped out. Under these circumstances they find it difficult to exercise to the full the driv.e and imagination that can take them to higher levels of recovery. "Confidence that the United States is clearly interested in the peace and security of Europe and confidence among free Europeans that they themselves can contribute to Europe's peace and security are both needed for full recovery and eventual independence from United States aid. "Experience has shown that small military establishments, well equipped and backed by a determined people, can be effective in maintaining peace. Their presence in areas of insecurity would World Affairs dissuade any would-be ~ggressor from carrying out his vision of easy con· quest. The establishment of such fOr.ces can not be considered an act of aggression. Defensive strength in the hands of naU:ms of peaceful intent does not lead to war. The danger of war arises from the huge nu1itary es· tablishments which dictators maintain and are constantly tempted to use." Arms program in line with Truman's third point President Truman announ~ed in his latest inaugural address four courses of interrelated action through which the United ·States is now helping to create a bettl!r world to lite in. In his third point the President declared that the United States will provide military advice and equipment to free nations which will cooperate with the United Sates in the maintenance of peace an<l: security. The purpose of such an aid is to strengthen freedom·loving . nations against the dangers of aggression. The peace and security of the United States are linked with Europe The United States has associated with Canada and ten other nations in the North Atlantic Treaty signed on April 4, 1949. The Treaty states clearry th&t an attack on one member is an attack on all the other members. At the present time the preponderant military power that could be harnessed against an aggressor is centered in the United States which is 3,000 miles from Western Europe. It is now a mistake to believe that the United States could count on her friends in Europe to resist aggressors * 49 if the strSltegy of the United States in the event of war is to abandon them to the enemy with a promise to liberate them later. "Plans for a common defense of the free world must provide for the security of Western Europe, or the new world may one day stand alone, an island of embattled freedom in a hostile world. Western Europe must count on us if it is to survive, and We, in turn, must count on West· ern Europe if we are t~o endure." Aid program is related to ERP The aid program is not only related to the North Atlantic Pact and security of the United States but also to the recovery program under the so...called Marshall Plan. The new confidence brought to the peoples of Europe as a result of the operation of the ERP must be maintained. The free peoples qf Europe need concrete evidence of action taken for mutual defense. "They need to have in their own hands the equipment and materials which will represent a clear start toward individual and collective military strength adequate to control internal disorders and to convince an aggressor that he would pay dearly for any attempt to cross their borders." What are the details of the program? materials for increased military production in Europe. 4. It is suggested that an administrator for foreigri military assistance within the Department, of State should be appointed. What is the significance of the arms program 7 The military assistance program is necessary because it would put "teeth" into the North Atlantic Pact. It woutd help bring about world conditions characterized by peace and security. It will permit the United Nations to function effic~ently. "The military assistance program now proposed," said the State Department, "is part of the price we must pay for peace aqd security in present world conditions. It is one of. the preventive actions we can take now to avoid the terrible expenditUres of war. Today the free nations hold the initiative in the Western world. They are con;fident that they can and will stand together in defense of their freedom. If we turn aside at this moment from aiding the common defense, we may not again have such an opportunity." Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Why is there a need for military assistance to the signatories of the North Atlantic Pact? The proposed arm program contl\ins 2. Discuss in what way the military the following: program is related to the security of 1. All of the foreign military assist- the United States. ance programs envisaged for the fis- 8. Do you believe the Russians have cal year 1950 should be combined. the right to say thlllt the North Atlantic 2. The program is limited to the bare Pact is aggressive in character? Wh)I . essentials of aid necessary, during the 4. The United States maintains that time period proposed. the military assistance program is de8. It has been proposed that the fensive in character. Do you agree President should be authorized to with the statement? Why? spend $1,450,000,000 in the fiscal year 5. It has been said that the military 1950 for the purposes of the arms program would be necessary even withprogram. Of this amount $1,180,000,000 out the North Atlantic Pact. Why do would be provided to other signatories you think so? of the··North Atlantic Pact in the form 6. How is the arms program related of equipment and funds for furnishing to the European Recovery PrOgram? 50 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 * is is time to soive the problem? Will the Indonesian Problem be Finally Solved? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the Iatkst developments of the Indonesian problem 2. To get ac.quainted with the latest agreement to solve the Indonesian· problem 3. To appreciate the significance of the latest accord between the Dutch government and the Republic of Indonesia The Dutch government and the Indonesian Republic reached a new agreement over the independence question of the Republic. What are the provisions of the agreement concluded between· the two governments? What is the significance of the agreement? Background of the conflict The present conflict between the Dutch government and the governme~t of the Republic of Indonesia is a continuation of the fight of the Republic for selfgovernment. Since the summer of 1945, both governments tried to solve the Indonesian independence question by alternating between violent attacks and peace negotiations. The first period of fighting ended in November, 1946. The Linggadjati agreement was concluded by the two governments. Both governments agreed to establish the Republic of Indonesia to be compO<!ed of the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Madura. They likewise agreed to establish a United States of Indonesia. The Republic of Indonesia would make up one-third of the United · St·ates of Indonesia, which was to be a sovereign partner in a Netherlands-Indonesian Union. The Linggadjati agreement did not bring peace. Disagreements and mutual di1Strust arose over the details of adWorld Problems ministration and of the eventual establishment of the proposed United States of Indonesia. In July, 1947, the Dutch took what they called "police action" against the Republic. Fighting continued until January, 1948, when a United Nations commission brought about another truce. The Dutch government had regained control of the East and West Java, north central Java plantation lands and oil fields in So11th Sumatra and the west Sumatran co..,t. The Republic of Indonesia was reduced at that time to a limited part of south central Java and the mountainous Sumatr8.ll interior. From February until December, 1948, both goveTnments observed a truce at the urging of the. United Nations good office committee. Again the administrative negotiations broke down. Then on December 18, 1948, the Dutch government opened another offensive. Jogjakarta was overrun and several Republican leaders were imprisoned. The Dutch obey the United Nations Once more the Security Council took action for the sake of peaCe; it ordered a cease-fire, release of the Republican prisoners, and set a timetable for complete independence. The Dutch government obeyed the cease-fire order after achieving its military objectives and wiping out all formal Republican government. Prbvisions of the Batavia agreement A three--nation United Nations com· mission took steps to bring the two governments together to settle their differences. After difficult peaceful negotiations, the Batavia agreement was an*51 nounced on May 8, 1949. Important concessions were made by the Netherlands government. The agreement p1·0· vided for the following: ( 1) That imprisoned Republican leaders would be released by the Dutch government; (2) That the Republic of Indonesia would be reestablished with its caplta! at Jogjakarta; ( 3) That the Republic of Indonesia wouid have control over areas it held before the Dutch attack in December, 1948; (4) That the end of Republica11 guerrilla fighting would be guaranteed; and (5) That Dutch-Indonesian talks would be held at The Hague for the discussion of the Indonesian problem. What is the significance of the Batavia agreement? "The measure of agreement arrived at between the D~tch and the Indonesian republican leaders," wrote the Washington Star, '•is a hopeful portent that a genuine settlement of vexatious problems may be in sight. The terms agreed upon bear the earmarks of mutual compromises that indicate a desire on both sides to come to a real understanding." Indonesia, and to sit down with them and the Dutch authorities in working out a federal government for the whole. Now, at last, the Republican leaders agreed to participate in a round-table confe1·ence at which all parties will take part. What is ahead? Some difficulties have to be overcome before final peaceful . settlement can be realized. The first three provisions of the Batavia agreement must be carried out. Important differences between the Republic of IndonEGia and the other native states must be adjusted before the round-table conference can begin. Conservative groups in the Netherlands oppose the agreement because of too many "concessions" granted to the Republic. In Indonesia distrust of the Netherlands persists. "While the prospects of peace in Indonesia are better than they have been for several years," wrote the Baltimore Sun, "it cannot be overlooked that peace has been largely on Dutch terms and• in keeping with a Du.tch schedule rather than that of the United Nations. Still, the agreement between the Dutch and IndOnesian Republic represents progress, and that is not to be sneezed at." The agreement shows how difficult peaceful negotiation is in the settlement of disputes. Ever eince the Dutch authorities took "police action" in December, 1948, the leaders of the Republic of Indonesia have refused to n<!gotiate Exercises to Develop Thinking , until the Dutch government agreed to 1 . Consult previous issues of the restore their government as a going Current Events Review. Why do the concern. The Dutch concession of re- people of Indonesia struggle for their storing the Re.public of Indonesia was an independence? important concession becauise it restores 2. Is the Dutch government more inthe Republic's status and prestige. It terested in retaining control of In~onesia likewise conforms to the recommenda- than_ in the indepeni:lence of the peoples tions of the United Nations commission that now inhabit the Dutch East Indies? which has been trying to mediate the Why? dispute. Important concessions w.ere 3. Can you give a possible reason why also made by the Republican leaders. the Dutch government insists on the The chief stumbling block to the peace- establishment of. the United States of ful settlement of the dispute was th• Indonesia? disinclination of the Republican leaders 4. Why did the leaders of the Repubto recognize the other native regimes lie of Indonesia decide to sit at a roundset up in the archipelago as equal part- table conference to discuss the Indone-ners in the proposed United States of sian problem as a whole? 52 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 How is Germany Related to Europe? Specific objectives: 1. To understand the importance of the Council of Europe 2. To know the condition for Germany's admission into the Council of Eul-ope "To understand the debate now going on at Strasbourg over the idmission of Germany to the Council Qf Europe it is n,ecessary again to recognize the revolutionary character of this latest international gathering. '•This is not just another conference. It differs fund811llentally in principle from the United ·Nations and the League of Nations and the triple entente and all the other efforts of modern time~ to link sovereign nations together by governmental agreements. What the consultative .assembly at Strasbourg is trying to achieve is a voluntary union, of the peoples of Western Europe - as distinct .fl'~m their goyernments - through a parliament proportionately representing the views of individuals representing parties rather than pf nations. Such a parliamen,t would gradually assume binding legislative powers over the actions of member states in certain limited fields. "It follows from this that nations seeking to join the Council of Europe should themselves be fundamentally democratic. A people could scarcely provide for their representation in the international parliament unless their own national government was similarly representative. They could not in good faith subscribe to an international doctrine of in,dividual rights, which is the cornerstone of the Council of Europe, unless they had established domestically a government which likewise respected those rights by protect World Problems ing minorities and following due processes pf law. The logic of these requirements, incidentally, is the answer to all theo1·ies of "world government" intended to include the coi;nmun!st police-states. 1 'We have already expressed our doubts as to how well Germany meets these qualifications. It is for that reason that we favor the views Of Heniot and Bidault over those of Churchill and his colleagues on the speed with which Germany should be admitted to the council. If this were simply another effort to draft a trade treaty or an alliance of some sort, where the on)y consideration was the ability of the German government to fulfill its· commitments, we might be inclined to seat a minister from Bonn immediately. The German government to be formed on the basis of last August 2 elections holds promise of more stability and authority than might have Deen expected in a ruined country harboring an enormous and rootless refugee population. Historically, we are inclined to think that the exclusion of Germany from the League of Nations long after World \Var ·I contributed to the persecution complex on which Hitlerism fed. Now as then, diplomatic association between Germany and the West might do more to dilute German nationalism and curb aggressiveness than to encourage those ten;dencies. But the Coul'.l.cil of Europe is some~ thing else again. If it ia to develop into a genuine union of democratic peoples, internal democracy is a peculiarly essential qualification for membership. It seems to us that the new democracy in Germany will be (Please tum to page 63) * 53 The Philippines and the World The Philippines Protests The United States has announced that payments of Japanese reparations to all c~untri.es which took part in a war against Japan would be stopped. The main reason given for the change in policy is that continued reparation· pay111ents would retard rather than advance the economic recovery of Japan. Under the present plans valuable industrial equipment (factories, plants) could not be utilized by the Japan~se government because they are being shipped away as reparations. Filipinos protest against the action of the United States government because they believe they are entitled to Japanese reparation payments. Tourists Industry must be Built The tourist industry of any nation is one of the profitable industries that can promote world understanding. Any nation can profitably develop it. In the Philippines during the prewar years, the industry was very profitable. In normal years, tourists spent no less than P2,000,000 during their stay here. In 1946 the tourist expenditure in the Phil· ippines amounted to P5,000,00. Our country earned this much with little expenditures. Substantial payments were received by hotels, restaurants, transp"ortation companies, stores engaged in selling Philippine souvenirs, curio shops, theaters, and amusement J>laces visited by tourists. It is believed that the in· dustry could be built tq raise such expenditures to P20,000,000 annually. gathered sufficient eviden:ce to back up our claims. First, we have the titular pretensions to the territory filed by the Sulu sultanate. Second, records show that the entire North Borneo had been leased to the Birtish East India Company by the Sulu sultanate. Third, a British court in North Borneo confirmed the sultanate's claims when it ordered that the British East India Company should continue paying annual royalties to the sultanate for the use of the territory. Fourtb, the British government agency has continued to pay rentals for the use of the territory to a Moro princess. Hospitalization for P.I. Veterans The Rogers Act approved by the United States Congress last July provides for the construction of hospitals for Philippine veterans who suffered from disease or injury while in the military service and who require treatment. The law provides for the furnishing of aid to the Philippines in file form of grants not to exceed P45,000,00 for .constructing and equipping of hospitals in the Philippines to be used exClusively for the care of veterans for service-conneCted disabilities. A formal agreement between the Philippines and United States governments to implement the provisions of the Rogers Act was recently signed. Philippines Represented in St. Louis Festival New Decision on North Borneo The Philippines was represented at the Fifteenth National Folk Festival Should we press ·our claims over Brit- held at St. Louis. By' special request, ish North Borneo? The Department Philippine dances were performed by sill of Foreign Affairs thinks so. It has young Filipinas who were working with 54 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 the Philippine Embassy in Washington, Three pageants were presented. One entitled, "Philippine Album" showed different customs and dances of Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas. The other two were the rice festival pageant and a town fiesta. Filipinos H:>nored Judge Roberto Regala, Philippine consul general to the United States, stationed in San Francisco, California, received recognization f0r "distinguished service in furthering Philippine-American ;relation". The award was given by the magazine Bataan. Dr. Severino Montano, Filipino playwright, has been appointed as associate professor in creative writing and theater administration at an American University. Famous Town Hall Meeting Visits the Philippines The famous Town Hall Meeting of the United States paid a visit to our country during its course of the 0 Roundthe-World Town Hall Seminar". The semin8.rs were scheduled to take place in various parts of the world to achieve the objectives of Town Hall. The worldwide objectives are: (1) to increase American understanding of world problems, (2) to. increase unde·rstand,ing of America around the world, ( 3) to show American interest in other peoples and their problems, (4) to strengthen and spread the democratic way of free discussion, and (6) to promote free, wellbeing, and peace. The Philippines at the Italian Fair The Philippines has gained further publicity through its participation in the the international fair held at Milan, Italy. Philippine participation served as an opportunity for traders and manufacturers to get acquainted with the prodInternational Affairs uets coming from the Philippines and those from the different parts of the world. As a result of our participation in the international fair, about 163 Eu. ropean commercial establishments have signified their intention of trading with the Philippiqes. Friendship Pact with Turkey The Philippines and Turkey recently concluded a friendship pact at the Turkish embassy in Washington. Ambassador Joaquin Elizalde signed for the Philippines while Ambassador Feridum Cerna! signed for Turkey. The treaty declares that there shall be perpetual peace and everlasting amity between Turkey and the Philippines and their peoples. Both countries agreed to use peaceful means in t:be settlement of their disputes. If one country fails, the dispute will be referred to an international court of justice. The ambasadors agreed to conclude as soon as practicable treaties on commerce, navigation, consuls rights and privileges, copyrights and patents, and extradition. Ties with the Vatican Likely to be Strengthened It is now probable that the diplomatic relations with the Vatican may be established by the Philippine Republic. Recently the Vatican appointed Mons. Egidio Vagnozzi as apostolic delegate to the Philippines. It is expected that the Philippines will send a minister to the Vatican. Our country is highly regarded at the Vatican because it is the only Christian country in the East. Will American Capital Come? American businessmen according to recent information are willing to come to the Philippines provided they are assured of certain conditions. Among these a~e: ( 1) the presence of adequate and skilled labor, (2) the abundance of 'electric power, or gas or coal, and ( 3) the (Please turn to page 69) * 55 Significant World News Roundup GREECE What is the status of the civil war? Recent reports on Greece show that a new hope for peace and security is possible in the near future. The balance of. the struggle between the government forces and the guerrilla rebels is turning in favor of the former. It has been found that the Communists are weakening. An unsuccessful Communist attack upon the northern city of Florina saved the city from being used as head-' quarters for the Communist .government under Nicholas Zachariadis, who succeeded General Markos Vafiades. What is the •ignificance of the news? Recently the Cominform has changed its plan on Greece from establishing a "free Greece" to tbe establishment of a Hfree Macedonia." The communists are now limiting their aspiratiOns from complete conquest of Greece to rule over Macedonia and Thrace. The success of the government forces points to the victory of the Truman Doctrine as applied to both Greece and Turkey: UNITED ST ATESWhat is. the status of the Fair Deal? The first session of the Slst U. S. Congress is nearing its end. As it now stands, Congress is taking measures to implement President Truman's recommendation to promote the general welfare. The status of the Fair Deal 8" it looks today is as follows : Measures enacted: rent control, appro'<al of the funds for the Marshall Plan. Measures that might be enacted: federal aid for low-rental housing and slum clearance, federal aid to educa· tion, recip.rocal trade program, and ap.Proval of the North Atlantic Pact. Measures that might not be enacted: new inflation conWols, compulsory health insurance, tax increases, and the arms aid program. What is the significance of the news? The program under the Fair IJeal is now receiving Congressional support. This is an indication that .Congress is receptive to the demands of the people tha~ the government take steps to promote the general welfare. ITALY What is the compromise 7 The United Nations General Assembly special session held in April and May, 1949 has discussed but failed to approve a compromise plan on the disposition of the former Italian colonies. The plan follows: 1. Italy would take over the administration of Tripolitania-in 1952. British military authority would continue its_ preserit administration until 1952. The administration would be subject to an international advisory board. 2. Ethiopia would obtain all of Eritrea except the Western Province whichwould be added to the Sudan, buJ; a uspecial status" for the cities of Asmara and Massawa would protect the local Italian population. 3. Italy would be given a trusteeship over the former Italian Somaliland. · 4. Britain and France would continue to administer Cyrenaica and the Fezzan respectively. What is the significanqe of the news? The compromise plan does not fully satisfy the members of the Assembly in view of many conflicting interests. The 56 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 most important reaction shown on the plan is the demand of the people of Cyrenaica to be independent. They do not want the Italians to return. It is hoped that American assietance in connection with President Tru,nuin's Four Point Program may be extended to the underdeveloped areas of Italy's former colonies. GERMANY Were the Germans against Communists? An interesting development took place in the Russian zone of occupation in Germany on May 15, and 16, 1949. The Germans in the Ruesian zone of occupation showed what they think of Communism. According to plan, the people went to the poll for a uPeople's Congfess" to ratify a constitution for East G~rmany. On each ballot was the statement: 111 am for the unity of Germany and a just peace treaty. Therefore, I vote for the following list of candidates." The ballot included only the names of Communist candidate&. According to the announced results of the electipn 7,943,982 voted "Yes" and 4,090,280 voted "No". What is the significance of the news? The results of the election in· Germany show that one third of the German population in the Russian zone of occupation are opposed to Communism. Usu.ally in all the states dominated by Russia the election results have always been 90% in favor of Russia. RUSSIA A new phase of Stalin-Tito struggle The Stalin-Tito feud which began last year over the refusal of Marshal Tito to submit to complete domination by Russia has assumed another aspect. International News This is in connection with trade. Russia has demanded from her satellites in Eastern Europe that they cease their trade relations with Yugoslavia. Several of her satellites including Hungary and Czechoslovakia have obeyed the order. Poland is still trading with the rebellious country although on' a much reduced scale. What is the significance of the news? The feud between two great Communist countries might lead to serious repercussions. Russia is determined to destroy the power of Tito while Tito is determined to free his country from Russia's firm control because of his desire to enjoy the sovereign rights of a nation. The tightening Russian economic blockade is forcing Tito to look for trade with the West. The West should welcome the apparent change in Yugoslavia's economic policies because it would mean a possible shifting of the country's ideologies in the future. JAPAN Did the Communists plan a revolution 1 Recent strikes in Japan were attrib-uted to Communists who want to make fu,rther infiltration into the Japanese government. General MacArthur recently accused the Russian government of i~· stigating disorders and violence in an orderly Japan. After the statement was mad.e Premier Shigeru Yoshida accused the Communists of planning an "August Revolution". The information on such a statement, however, was not revealed. But steps are now being taken to verify the statement. What is the significance of the news? The accU11ation of General MacArthur received support not only from the Democratic Liberal Party, the controlling political party of Japan, but also from (Please turn to page 58) * 57. Cold War will Continue ... (Continued from page 48) the progress that has been made toward regaining economic vigor; (2) by giving communism, which is now checked in Europe, a new .chance to make additional headway; and ( 3) by inviting Russia to undertake further acts of direct and indirect aggression to spread its dominance westward over the entire European continent. The President emphasized that the task ahead still calls for "firm determination and steadfast effort". What is the significance of the "cold war"? The "cold war" was brought about by two conflieting ideologies - two systems of living offered to the peoples of the world. These are the Communist ideology that destroys human liberty and the democratic ideology that preserves human freedom. The "cold war" is delaying tile establishment of a lasting world peace. Its termination would bring not only peace but also security. America's expen,ditures in the "cold war" during the last three yeara have been placed at $24,000,000,000. Her expenditures cover a huge military budget, outlays for building up Western Europe under the Marshall Plan and military aid to Greece and Turkey under the Truman Doctrine. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Is the "cold war" necessary? Why? 2. Why do you think the "cold war" is world wide? · 3. Why is the United States involved in the "cold war"? 4. ln1 what way doeS the "cold war" affect world peace? 5. Can you thinl<: of good suggestions for ending the "cold war"? Signifieant World News ... (Continued from page 57) the majority of the people who are apprehensive of Communist victory in China. The statement of Premier Yoshi<l.a merits serious study beeau,se Communists have their own peculiar technique of profiting from confusion. IS RAEL 59th member Israel, the youngest republic in the world, has won its fight for admission in to the United Nations. The admission of Israel was the subject of ·bitter controversies. The Arab states were opposed to the admission because of historical, political and religious reasons. The predominantly Catholic countries of Latin America questioned the position of Israel on the internationalization of J erusalem, and the Scandinavian countri~ wanted satisfaction on what had been done to apprehend the assassins of the UN mediator, Count Folke Bernadotte. After serious debates, the admission was approved. Thirty-seven nations voted for admission as lfgainst 12. Nine nations abstained. What is the significance of the news? The admission of Israel is a unique example of how a new nation created through the efforts of the United Nations to settle the Palestine Question could be admitted only after serious debate. Important questions relative to the position of Arab refugees in Israel, internationalization of Jerusalem, and the murder of Bernadotte brought assurance from the government of the youngest nation that everything would be done to give justice to the Arabs, to the family of Bernadotte, and to the various re.ligious groups in Jeruealem. Confidence on the ability of Israel to assume its international obligation as has thus been secured. 6. How are you af;fected by the "cold war"? 58. Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 What is the Russian Side ... (Continued from page 38) And inasmuch as of the great powers which comprised the anti-Hitlerite coalition only the U.S.S.R. is not a party to this Treaty, the North Atlantic Treaty must be regarded as a Treaty directed against one of tlle chief allies of the United States, Great Britain, and Franee in th.e the late war, against the U.S.S.R. Participants in the North Atlantic Treaty are effecting extensive military measures which can in no way be justified by the interests of self-defense of these countries. The ex.tensive military measures carried out by the United States in cooperation with Great Britain and France under the present conditions, including the increase in all types of armed forces, the drafting of a plan for the utilization of the atomic weapons, the building of a network of air and naval bases, etc.-by no means bear a defensive character. The preservation in Washington of the combined Anglo-American Staff organized during· the second. World War, the recent establishment of the military staff of the so-called Western Union in Fontainbleau (France), as well as the intention immediately to set up the defeme committee envisaged by the North Atlantic Treaty, are by no means an indication of the peace-loving or defensive aims of the participants of the Treaty, but, together with other numerous military preparations, contribute to intensifying anxiety and alarm and to whipping up of war hysteria in which all sorts of instigators of a_ new war are so interested. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. What is the purpooe of the Rus· sian memorandum? World Affairs The Philippines and the World (Continued from page 55) availability of transportation routes by land, sea, and air. Need for More Patrol Vessels There is great need for increasing our patrol vessels in view of reports on vessel.s landing aliens clandestinely on Philippine shores. Recently many aliens were apprehended for landing illegally in Quezon Province. A study of the reported alien landings on Philippine shores show the difficulty that is being met by our government. The greatest difficulty is lack of patrol vessels. There is also a need for greater cooperation among our people who should at once report any illegal landing to the authorities. Philippines in Asian Labor Federation A resolution to form an Asian labor federation was decided by eight nations that attended the ILO meeting at Geneva, Switzerland. The eight nations that decided to form the federation are namely: India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Iran, Turkey, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Burma, Ceylon, Afghanistan, and Siam are expected to join the proposed labor federation. 2. Why does Russia object to the North Atlantic Pact? 3. Russia denies the defensive character of the Treaty? Do you agree with the Russian view? 4. The North Atlantic Pact was concluded in t.he interest of world peace? Do you agree with the Russian view that the Pact is aggressive? Why? * 59 Science Marches OnMental-Health Institute "Established A Nationai Mental Health Institute has been established in the United States. A part of the system of research institutes of the U. S. Public Health Service, it will coordinate public and private mental-health activities throughout the United States. The new institute will work closely with the World Federation of Mental Health in the global program to elimi11ate the known causes of mental illness and to find new means of curing the mentally ill, The broad aims of th.e new-mental organization are to gain "lnore knowledge of the cause, prevention and control of mental illness, to train research and other personnel in greater numbers and to help develop community mentalhealth programs. 'fhe institute is supported by Federal Government funds. The institute will coordinate Federal State loc::t-1 mental-health programs, including those already in progress. It will also train workers in the methods of research and treatment and make grants for experimental work by universities and individual scientists. Funds will be granted to the various states for state and community mentalhealth programs. The Federal Government will provide $2 for every $1 spent by the States for research. Crops for Industry both farmers and wage earners. Among the important points noted in the progress of "farm chembrgy" recently reviewed at the fourteenth annual conference of the National Farm Chemurgic Council at Memphis, -Tennessee are: 1. Burned, allowed to rot, or dumped in rivers in the pasi, some of the waste materials have become the basis of new industries. 2, Corn cobs, for example, are now processed to yield furfural, a chemical used in oil refining and also as an ingredient in nylon. 3. Rice hulls are used in plastics, wallboard, and several other products. 4. Citrus peels and pulp from canning factories are being converted into perfumes, flavorings and cattle feed. They also can be used for making alcohol. Sugar cane bagasse is yielding wax for phonograph records and fibers for wallboard, Sawdust is going into synthetic wood panels. Sawdust also can be used to make alcohol, cattle feed, and sugar. 5. The discovery that straw and similar fiber residues can be used to manufacture newsprint and fine papers is being developed commercially, 6. Even stumps of pine trees, such as those grown· in the southern states, are being used. The stumps are ground and distilled to yield resins for plastics, while the residues of cooked chips have been used for linoleum, a floor covering, and for soil conditioners. Pilot Earphones Increasing use is being made of agri- A new earphone that fits snugly into cultural crops and "wastes" as sources an airplan.e pilots' ear without elaborate of raw materials foi: industry in the head harness and ear muffs has been United States. Known as "farm che- developed in the United States. The murgy", the industrial use of agricultu- device is about the size of a small coin ral crops and residues is benefitting and resembles the earpiece used in hear60 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 ing aids for the deaf. It is said to be so sensitive that it can be tuned down to a point where static and other noises do not interfere with reception. Cancer Test A simple and "reasonably sure" blood test for cancer has been developed by a team of American medical researchers: Experiments indicate that it will detect cancerous conditions even in the very early Stages, when 75 per cent of cancer is considered curable by surgery or other treatment. The test involves measuring the ability of a person's blood serum to coagulate. Normal blood serum, when boiled for about 30 minutes, will coagulate. The researchers found, however, that the blood serum taken from cancerous patients will not coagulate as readily. Filariasis Fighter From the United States comes the development of a new drug which holds promise of effectively combating filariasis, centuries old "scourge of the tropics". This disease is prevalent in parts of Africa and Asia and, to a lesser extent, in Middle and South America and Oceania. Filariasis is characterized by huge swellings of the legs and frequently other parts of the body, After running its course 'Over a period of years, it results in elephantiasis, which is manifested by extremely thick legs covered with heavy foathery skin. Adult worms living in the human lymphatic system cause filariasis. Each worm regularly produces thousands of embryos, called microfilariae, which circulate in the blood of the infected person. When this person is bitten by a mosquito, some of the microfilariae are sucked hi by the insect. Later, the mosquito may bite a non-infected human, thus spreading the disease. Foam Plastic A foam-like plastic said to be valuable as insulation ·against heat or cold Modern Science has been developed by American scientists. The plastic is said to be the world's lightest solid, being lighter than some gases. The plastic is being considered for use in insulating soft-drink coolers and household refrigerators. Other possible uses are seen for it in the house construction, shipbuilding, and aircraft industries. The new substance is resistant to fjre, moisture, fungus g:fowth, and foamed into place at the site where it is to be used. It is made from a molasses-like synthetic resin which can be shii}ped in a barrel. When ready for use, the resin is heated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Centigrade) until it expands to about 100 times its volume. As it expands, it traps bubbles of air, which remain after the plastic solidifies. In the finished product, each air bubble acts as a barrier to heat transmission. The plastic was developed by 29-yearold Robert F. Sterling, a chemist of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. The plastic is not yet being produced on a large scale. Curing Tobacco Scientific methods that promise to cut the cost of curing tobacco are: being tested in the United States. Research indicates that the amount of fl&! can be cut deeply and a more uniform cure Ire obtained by changing the barn or shed in which the tobacco is cured. Several innovations in the age-old art of curing tobacco have been introduced. These include the closing of the openings at the eaves of the barn in which the tobacco is hung to cure, placing draft controls on to the flues, and closing oI the bottom ventilators. New Role of Rice Diet Medical scientists in the United States have new evidence that persons si.iffering from the hardening of the arteries and associated ills of the heart and blood vessels may be helped by a special rice • &i diet. The diet was originally prepared by Dr. Walter Kemner, an assistant professor of clinical medicine at Duke University, in the State of North Carolina. A small quantity of fruit and supplementary vitamins are included, in addition to the rice dishes. This diet has a low content of salt, proteins, and fat. Late . in 1948, Kempner reported to the New York Heart Association, a pro~ fessional organization, that the diet has benefited many victims of high- blood pressure, heart and kidney disea~es. These ailments together annually kill about three times as many persons as cancer in the United States, Kempner's report, covering 700 patients who· have received the rice diet, shows that the con,dition of about two-thirds of the group have improved; -however, the remainder have shown no gain. Yeast as Food Two scientists, one from India and the other from the United States, have discovered that yeast cells, under certain conditions, grow on the alcohol they produce. This discovery, TM- New York Times reports, is expected to help in the cultivation and utilization of various types of industrial and food yeasts, "and thus aid in fighting hunger in all lands". Dr. P. N. Agarwal of India, and Dr. W. H. Peterson of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, made the diicovery in a series.of experiments·during Agarwal's three year's postgraduate work at the U~versity. Their investigations concerned Sacharmyces cere'Visicu, beer yeast, and two food yeastsTorupsis utilis and Candida arborea. problem of feeding millions of people an inexpensive, adequate balanced diet. Her· scientists know that India has plenty of sugar and molasses, but not enough of protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish eggs, and dairy products". "Since food yeasts ~re rich in pro~ teins, vitamins of the B complex and other nutrients," the Times says, "yeast culture and utilization under Indian conditions thus assume great nutritional importance." Telephone "Bookkeeper" Inventors in the United States have perfected an electrical apparatus that can keep a record of thousands of dial telephone calls. It records who made them, what numbers were called, how long the conversation lasted, and then adds up and prints the information for use in billing each telephone subscriber, accordin·g to the Bell Telephone Company. This device, which is expected to reduce the work of telephone accounting, a major item of expense in the service, was developed by the Bell Telephone Laboratories, New York 9ity, after years of research. A company spokesman says it is one of the most significant advances in telephone engineering since the introduction of the dial system. The first machine that can keep a record of dial telephone calls has been installed at Media, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It records J;he required information by punching holes, as calls are made, on reels of paper tape three inches (7.6 centimeters) wide. When a person dials a number, the machine automatically punches the time, These yeasts, the scientists have prov- the calling number and the number ed, can grow in cane sugar and sugar called. When the call ends, the time is beet molasses in the presence of air and punched again. Sine.a thousands of other produce ethyl alcohol, but their growth calls may have been recorded in the indoes not stop ·there. The yeast cells terim, the entries on the original caller derive additional energy from the alcohol may be separated by several yards of and keep on growmg. tape. Like many other countries, the news- The reel of tape with all this informapapers note, "India faoes the tremendous tion is taken to Philadelphia, where it 62 * Current Events Review Vol. V, No. 2 is 0 decoded" by sorting and computing machines. Running at high speeds, these d~vices account for different types of billing, uncompleted calls and toll charges. They multiply the length of the call against the appropriate rate and the final accounting comes out on teletyped slips, one for each subscriber. From these teletype slips, clerks transcribe the facts on to the actual bill. Cold Tests A new laboratory tool that promises to speed the search for a cure and preventive for the common cold-one 'lf mankind's most baffling and costly diseases-has been found in the United States. It is a chemical 0 color test" thr..t detects the presence and measures th~ potency of the virus that causes the cold, Discoverers of the new techniQue are Dr. Leon T. Altas and Dr. George A. Hottle, of the Laboratory of Infectious· Diseases of the National Institutes of Health in Betheseda, Maryland. The NIH, earlier in its cold research program, found a virus that causes the common cold, Now it is seeking the cure. Heretofore, the only way the scientist3 could be sure they had the virus, in sufficient strength to cause a cold, was tc inoculate human volunteers with it. ff these volunteers after the injection of the irus caught oold, the scientists concluded that the virus was strong. The same tilme·conswning procedure using human volunteers infected with colds for text purposes, was required to test the effectiveness of possible curative drugs. With the chemical tests, however, Altas says, the effectiveness of new drugs and their compounds-as well as the presence and potency of virus-can now be tried in rapid-fire order. Using the chemical method, scientists have made as many as 112 tests in a day, Using human beings for test purposes, they were able to make only 54 tests in two years. Modem Sele.nee How is Germany Related ... (Continued from page 53) more soundly based if it is required tO prove itself in practice as a condition of entry into the Council of Euro.pe, than if it is artifidally imposed by rushing German membership."-USIS. Exercises to Develop Thinking 1. Should Germany be admitted to the Council of Europe? Why? 2. Why is the Council of Europe significant? 3. Why is internal democracy needed by Germany before she could be admitted to the Coun~il of Europe? Soybean Oil Research conducted since 1945 has helped to improve the flav.,.. and quality of soybean salad oil, the United States Department of Agriculture reports. A new refining method, eJll)erts say, materially reduces the "painty," 0 fishy," or "grassy" flavor a:ssociated with the· product. Soybean oil is a relative newcomer to the salad oil field, though it is the major edible oil in the United States employed in the manufacture of shortening, margarine, and other products. The new process consists of the use of citric acid-3 to 4 ounces per ton of oil to be processed (about 8.5 to 11.3 decagrams per metric ton). This acid, scientists say, functions as a "metal scavenger". It neutralize• the effects of the minute quantities of metal that get into the oil, mainly from the refining equipment, helps decrease the rate of oxidation of the oil, and thus retards development of off.flavors. "The oil tastes better initially and keeps three to five times longer than soybean oil refined· by previous methOds," the Department says. The new process is now being used commercially, but research workers are still seeking other ways and means to improve the flavor and lasting qualities of the oil, *63 Why Soviet; Policy ... (Continued f't'om page 32) "a series of the most terrible collisions between the Soviet Republic and the bourgeois states is inevitable". He continued: "Obviously, if the Soviet Union .considers w&.r is inevitable, it prepares for war. So long as it is preparing for war, other states must take defensive precautions. Since, however, we in the United States start from the proposition that war is not inevitable, we' do not proceed on the theory that a preventive war must be initiated. ' 1 Since the world has not yet received convincing evidence of a change . in Soviet policy, the way in whiCh the United States can help to eliminate or to lessen the sense of insecurity is by a finn and honest declaration of purpose which the North Atlantic Treaty provides." Reaffirming the paramount desire of the United States for development of a "universal system tor international peace and security," Jessup said: "If the Soviet Union will join in making the Security Council an effective system for the discharge of its responsibilities, the Security Coun.cil and the United Nations itself will grow in stature and in influence. Meanwhile, its growth can be stimulated by the existence of such agreements as this peace pact for the North Atlantic community." As contrasted with world government extremists who would "scrap the progress" which the United Nations mark and begin anew, Jessup said, the Atlantic Pact nations have taken "the first practical step." for consolidating peace in a crucial area. By the conclusion of the treaty, they enhance a solidarity hitherto embryonic. In so doing, they avowedly and hi fact support the United N'ations. "Happily," he continued, 41such extremists are not representative of all Accomplishments of the ... (Continued from page 37) That proposal was directed at the United States, which, Polish Delegate Dr. KatzSuchy charged, was subjugating Western Europe through the European. Recovery Program. On Friday, the last day of its session, the ECOSOC endorsed the l949 global child aid programs to be administered by the U. N. International Children's Emergency Fund. The council adopted a resolution taking note of ICEF executive board's appeal for larger resources, the inclusion of new geographical areas among those aided by the fund, and a General Assembly resolutfon calling for prompt contributions from governments to meet the objectives of the fund. A second resolution was approved which takes note of the U.N. appeal for children. activities and urges fullest support by uau peoples of national activities organized during 1949 in favor of the appeal". During the discussions pursuant to the council adoption of these resolutions relating to ICEF and UNAC, the group was told that the former agency has received a total of $119 million for this year's child aid· program~ Largest con· tribution-$54,500,000-<:ame from the United States. The ICEF feeding program will provide for about 2,300,000 school children. and approximately 1,140,000 infants and. pregnant women. WJrld govern;ment advocates. Many of them advocate building on the existing foundations, that is on the United Nations.· Many of them are willing to take their coats off and to work on putting a roof - or at least a tarpaulin .......... over our heads . . . . "It must be o"ur hope that the circle of states supporting the United Nations will steadily broaden until it becomes universal." 64 * Current Evebts Re'l'iew Vol. V, No.~ S'nt1<oduein?ORIENTAL HISTORY by DIOSDADO G. CAPINO, M.A. F.diior, c....-.m Evmta R"""1u lndiapensahle * It is the first textbook that presents a unit discussion of all problems in the Course of Study in Oriental History prepared by the Bureau ol Public Schools. The materials required for student readings have been presented in an easy, readable, and interesting manner. The discussions are integrated so that the required specific objectives in the Course of Study in Oriental History may be achieved psychologically. Timely * Materials that remain scattered in the different required references enumerated in the course of study and in new references such as recent pamphlets, historical reports, historical surveys, and special studies on Asiatic affairs are presented for a reasoned, inte9rated, and easy understanding of all the problems given in the Wark-sheet of the course of study. Well-organized * A series of specific objectives based on the general objectives given in the course of study indicates the unit organization. A Preview is given to introduce each unit. The study materials are organized into relatively important problems. The main problem for each unit is subdivided into a number of minor problems which are intended to focus attention on the type of understandinll desired, rather than on the narrative sequence of events. Useful * The book provides widely varied learning activities. Each unit is provided with different activities, problems, and suggestions for enriching the knowledge, experience, and trainine of the students. There are (l) Self-testing Exercises; (2) lndividual and Cooperative Actii:>ilies; (3) Significant Words and Terms; and (4) NQlMs We should Identify and Understand. Illustrated * The book presents generally helpful picturee., maps, cartoons, charts, and tables. Pictorial illustrations are given with elucidating captions. Up-to-date * All units are brought up-to-date with the addition of new problems designed to complete understanding of the unit. * A new unit (UNIT VII ...... .How the Far East was Involved in World War II and Post-War Developments in the Orient) has been included in the·book. Materials as of Sept. 30, 1948 have been incorporated. High school instructors and principals wlw may wish to examine ORIENTAL HISTORY by Diosdado G. Capino for possible adoption in their classes ate invited to send us trial orders. Books, sent in response to said· orders, may be paid for in 10 days after receipt thereof or returned at our expense. Price-f'4.00 per copy, paper-bound P6.00 per copy, cloth-bound Order your printed copy of the book,-now! 123-125 Reten Sampaloc, Manila MANLAP A'Z PUBLISH~G COMP ANY 933 Raon Quiapo, Manila