Ping Pong at Paris
The latest Soviet Note on the subject of a conference of Foreign Ministers makes it perfectly easy for Mr. Morrison to call off the meeting of Foreign Ministers if he does not want one, and perfectly easy for him to go forward with it if be does. In the present state of the world to take the former course would be to assume the gravest responsibility. To inscribe the Atlantic Treaty on the agenda of the conference as a " disagreed " item could do no possible harm. Russia will be free to say what she likes about the treaty whether it is formally on the agenda or not, and the Allies can reply or be silent whether it is on the agenda or not. Efforts to represent this as something better than a, question of hair-splitting have been singularly unimpressive. It. mutt. moreover, be considered that—fantastic though it may seem—the Soviet Government clearly does entertain real appre- hensions about America's intentions, just as the Western Powers entertain apprehensions about Russia's. These ping-pong tactics over one item on the agenda are puerile. Both parties have dug themselves in so deep as to make it difficult for them to change their attitude. But it will be much to Mr. Morrison's credit if he shows himself capable of rising above the level attained in another sphere by Dr. Mosaddaq. What matters is to get on. with the conference.
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