Foreign News: Truth, Truth, Truth

''All is serene in Moscow. . . . There is no foundation in fact for any of the alarming reports. . . . Russia is one country that welcomes Americans. [Russian] customs officers and passport inspectors . . . are courteous and reasonable . . . a refreshing relief after the meticulous curiosity of the French, German and especially Polish functionaries. . . . There were nine Americans [going to Russia] on the train, and one was accompanied by his wife and son, aged eleven."

Thus from Moscow wrote Correspondent Henry Wales to the Chicago Tribune, a paper famed for its editors' contention that Soviet wire censorship makes it difficult to cable a true story from Russia. Not for three years has the Tribune had any correspondent in Russia. Last week with appropriate fanfare the Tribune announced that Mr. Wales had received the Soviet Government's permission to go wherever he likes, report the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, by mail.