Step by Step

Curious crowds jammed the narrow sidewalks of Princes Street. Solemnly they watched the delegates of 51 nations roll up in their cars, and file into Central Hall.

They stared at the business-like Russians, who were among the first to arrive. France's Foreign Minister Georges Bidault and U.S. Senators Tom Connally and Arthur Vandenberg drew long, appraising looks. There were "ohs" and "ahs" for the Chinese, and for the Saudi Arabians in their green robes piped with white. There were a few cheers for Ernest Bevin, more for black-clad Eleanor Roosevelt.

Cares & Comforts. In the great cream-&-fawn meeting hall, there was a bustle of photographers around the Big Three delegations. Senator Vandenberg grandly promised a Saudi Arabian delegate: "We'll take care of you."

There would be plenty for all to take care of. Over & above the specific issues--mandates, the bomb, the election of a Secretary General--it would take great skill and patience, and God's help too, to make Communist Russia, Britain, and the U.S. lie down in peace.

In darker hours ahead, some delegates would say thanks to the gallant old Church of England. When the Methodists ruled that UNO's delegates could not drink intoxicating liquors in Central Hall, the Anglicans had opened up Church House not 200 yds. away, and permitted establishment of the best-stocked bar in London.

Hands & Heads. The United Nations Preparatory Commission had planned for secret ballots to protect the right of smaller countries to vote against their more powerful neighbors. Now the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic asked a show-of-hands vote in the election of the Assembly's first President. By a show-of-hands vote, the Ukraine--and all Russia--lost.

Behind the Soviet move was opposition to Belgium's chubby, tennis-playing Paul Henri Spaak, leading advocate of the Russian-feared project for a western bloc of European nations. He was Britain's candidate for the post.

To defeat him, Russia advanced Norway's Trygve Lie, and moved her supporters on the ballot box like Marshal Zhukov maneuvering his tanks before Berlin. The U.S., favorably disposed toward Lie, and still trying to convince Russia that America and Britain would not gang up against her on every vote, tagged along--but Lie went down to defeat, 23 to 28.

President Spaak, looking like a bald, cosmic frog, took the chair. He guided UNO so well during the first three days that some suggested him for the prized post of Secretary General.

Draws & Jams. Russia lost again in an effort to postpone the struggle for seats in the all-important Security Council, but with a little luck fared better in the voting. Elected for two years were Australia, Brazil and Poland; for one year, The Netherlands, Egypt and Mexico. Poland, a Soviet candidate, tied with The Netherlands in the voting for a two-year seat, won it in a drawing. Russia helped defeat Canada and elect Australia.

Second in importance only to the Security Council was the Economic and Social Council. Seventeen of the 18 seats were filled. For the last seat neither U.S.-backed New Zealand nor Russia-backed Yugoslavia gained the necessary two-thirds vote. New Zealand broke the jam by withdrawing in favor of Yugoslavia.

Hottest Rumors. Suddenly rumors swept the meeting that General Dwight D. Eisenhower would accept UNO's Secretary-Generalship. Britain floated the Eisenhower rumors in an effort to head off a fight between its own candidate, Canada's quietly competent Ambassador to the U.S., Lester B. ("Mike") Pearson, and Norway's Lie, who might again be supported by Russia. Poland set adrift a rumor for Secretary of Commerce Henry A. Wallace.

The Big Power resolution for an atomic-power commission to "inquire into all phases of the problem" might yet be opposed. Pleaded Secretary of State Byrnes: "We must not fail to devise the necessary safeguards to insure that this great discovery is used for human welfare and not for more deadly human warfare."

Through these shadows, and a dozen others, one reality loomed: UNO was beginning to function. When the League of Nations opened the New York Times had gazed sadly at its own nonparticipating country and paraphrased Voltaire: /- "Hang yourself, Crillon, for there has been glorious fighting and you were not here."

Last week the Times glowed: "Dr. Eduardo Zuleta Angel of Colombia, formally opening yesterday's session, hoped that the Assembly might become 'the town meeting of the world.' . . . Let us forget the scarecrow of the 'superstate' and put this vision in its place." Said Secretary Byrnes: "We have learned from experience. ... I pledge full and wholehearted cooperation."

/- Who in turn was paraphrasing Henry IV, who was sympathizing with his brave warrior, Louis Balbis de Berton de Crillon, for being wounded in the battle of Tours bridge and thus missing the battle of Arques in 1589.

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