Progress at San Francisco
Concerned as delegates at San Francisco must be over the Polish deadlock, they have not allowed it to interfere with their work of constitution-making. Much of the most important work has been going on behind the scenes and especially in discussion among the "Big Five" (the fifth being France, who was admitted last week); and considerable progress has been made by agreements between the Great Powers in regard to amendments to the Dumbarton Oaks proposals, now referred to a number of committees of the conference. Most of the agreed changes are distinct improvements. The .exercise of a veto by a single member of the Security Council will, it is now proposed, be confined to the right to prevent the use of direct physical force. In cases where one of the Rig Five is an interested party the Council, after recourse to conciliation or arbitration, will have power to recommend term; of settlement (the interested Power abstaining from voting). The prior rights of the " middle " Powers are to be recognised in elections to non- permanent seats on the Council by the General Assembly. It is also agreed that machinery should be provided for the revision of the Charter from time to time, and that the scope of the Economic and Social Council should be enlarged. The Russians had made difficulties about proposals for giving the General Assembly powers to make recommendations, but have agreed to a compromise under which " measures for the peaceful adjustment of any situations " May be made. Accord has also been reached, by compromise, in the matter of regional security arrangements, which may become operative in case of emergency without the Council's authorisation. A way out of a great many difficulties has already been found, and many improvements on Dumbarton Oaks which will be acceptable to the smaller as well as the bigger Powers have now been accepted. The task now before the conference is to press these matters through their committee stages. So far a good pace has been maintained.
