Peace?

The U.S., implementing the Truman Doctrine, moved decisively. As the Communists, backed by their brethren from Moscow, took over Hungary's Government (see INTERNATIONAL), Secretary of State George Marshall promptly suspended the unused half of a whopping $30 million credit to Hungary. Then he gave cheer and congratulation to Italy's Premier Alcide de Gasperi, who had screwed up his courage to form a new government without benefit of Italian Communists.

In Washington, Herbert Hoover said bluntly that since Russia is the chief obstacle to making peace, one way to have peace is to make it without Russia. Specifically, he proposed that 1) the U.S. sign a peace treaty with Japan at once, 2) a peace treaty with Germany if the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers breaks down in London next November. Russia should be given that last chance, he said. If she would not come along, the U.S. should go ahead without her.

Calculated Policy. The ex-President testified to the necessity of the War Department's $725 million request to carry on the occupation of Korea, Japan, Germany and Austria. Said he: "These enormous sums are inescapable for the next year unless millions of people under our Lags are to die of starvation." But the problem was bigger than any single staggering bill for aid. U.S. aid might forestall successive emergencies; it could not solve the world economic crisis. In time the continuous financial hemorrhage must debilitate U.S. economy. This, Hoover implied, was Russia's calculated policy.

How was the threat to be met? In Western Europe, said Hoover, by restoring (under suitable supervision) the productive capacity of Germany, Europe's industrial powerhouse. In Asia, by restoring the productive power of Japan.

There were serious obstacles to the making of a separate peace. The U.S. would be violating the agreement made at Potsdam. She would have to bring England and France along, or risk a serious breach with them. A separate peace with Germany would mean the withdrawal of troops from the U.S. zone leaving it as an unprotected area adjoining the heavily garrisoned Russian zone. Herbert Hoover clearly meant his proposal to be a last resort; but he pointed out that time was running out fast.

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