INTERNATIONAL: Churchill to the World

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For the first time in World War II, the Allies this week had an outline of postwar aims. The plan is simple. It is not an American plan; all that the world yet has from Franklin Roosevelt is the glossy Atlantic Charter.

Winston Churchill presented the plan to the world last week. It was a plan for Britain at home (see p. 9) as well as abroad; but the passages of primary concern to the world were those which charted the postwar collaboration and joint leadership of Britain, the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.

Death, Dust and Ashes. Said Winston Churchill: ". . .A good many people . . . have jumped to the conclusion that the war will soon be over. ... I am not able to share those sanguine hopes. . . . Speaking under every reserve and not attempting to prophesy, I can imagine that some time next year—but it may well be the year after—we might beat Hitler. By which I mean beat him and his powers of evil into death, dust and ashes."

Then, said Churchill, Britain would move her forces against Japan. To him, China was a country to be rescued; it was a nation to share, but not to lead, the remaking of the world.

Life and Victory. "On this assumption [that Germany will be beaten first], it would be our hope that the United Nations, headed by three great victorious powers, the British Commonwealth of Nations, the United States and Soviet Russia, should [then] immediately begin to confer upon the future world organization, which is to be our safeguard against further wars. . . .

"We must hope and pray that unity of the three leading victorious powers will be worthy of their supreme responsibility and that they will think not only of their own welfare but of the welfare and future of all. . . .

"There should come into being a Council of Europe and a Council of Asia. . . . It is upon the creation of the Council of Europe . . . that the first practical task will be centered. ... I hope we shall not lightly cast aside all the immense work which was accomplished by the creation of the League of Nations. Certainly we must take as our foundation . . . [the] law and morality which was the spirit of the League.

"We must try—I am speaking, of course, only for ourselves—to make the Council of Europe, or whatever it may be called, into a really effective League with all the strongest forces concerned woven into its texture, with a High Court to adjust disputes and with forces, armed forces, national or international or both, held ready to enforce these decisions and prevent renewed aggression and preparation of future wars."

Europe and Partnership. "This Council, when created, must eventually embrace the whole of Europe and . . . the main branches of the European family must some day be partners in it. What is to happen to the large number of small nations whose rights and interests must be safeguarded? . . .