UNITED NATIONS: Something for a Name

A man from New Zealand last week stumbled over that beautiful and dangerous phrase, "United Nations." Like many another man, stubbing his toe gave him an idea.

"The United Nations" is President Roosevelt's label for the 28 nations which up to this week have signed the Roosevelt-Churchill Atlantic Charter ("the Four Freedoms"). It may, according to the President, include any & all nations "which are, or which may be, rendering material assistance and contributions in the struggle for victory over Hitlerism." But the label "United Nations" is dangerous because too many people think that it also signifies a fully effective body for the cooperative conduct of World War II.

It does no such thing. Of necessity, it was founded on the false premise that World War II is two wars—one with Hitler, one with Japan. This premise was necessary because, up to now, the U.S.S.R.

has been technically at peace with Japan —a fact which none of Russia's allies against Hitler wants to alter. But the fact also is that "The United Nations" is not and, at least for the moment, cannot be an instrument for the global direction of a global war.

The Allied effort in World War II is directed mainly by two of the 28 United Nations: the U.S. and Great Britain, in the persons of Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. Russia in one sector and China in another have major shares of the burden, but they have very vague shares in Allied direction.

Last week the man from New Zealand raised his voice. The man: pudgy, sincere Walter Nash, New Zealand's Minister to the U.S. His plan:

> A World War Council, including the political and military chiefs of the Allied countries, to determine policy.

> A World Military Council, consisting solely of military men, to translate the policy into precise strategy and tactics for all the major fronts.

> Regional War Councils to translate policies into actual fighting on all fronts.

> Production Councils, subject directly to the World Military Council, and related Assignment Councils, to produce and allocate munitions to the fronts.

> A World Reconstruction & Development Council, to plan the post-war world.

In short, Walter Nash proposed a real United Command, to win the war, to plan the peace, to make the United Nations more than an illusory phrase.

Only concrete and convincing plans for peace, he believes, can enlist the full effort of the Allies for war. Said Minister Nash: "If this war is a fight for the principles of elementary freedom, we cannot expect those who do the fighting and the working to be satisfied if they find that the freedom they have won is a freedom confined to a few fortunate people or to a few favored nations." Walter Nash understood that many difficulties—including the two-war premise which stymied the United Nations as a global body—lay between any plan and an effective United Command. Said he: "We have a long way to go. But there's another war looming unless we start our journey now. And I suggest we start."