NEWS OF THE WEEK
AWEEK ago there was despondency at San Francisco when it appeared that there was no way out of the deadlock over the veto. The atmosphere was suddenly lightened when it became known that Russia had agreed to a compromise, and that at last complete agreement had been reached at a meeting of the "Big Five." The principle of the unanimity of the permanent members of the Council in all action to be taken is affirmed, but the Russians now accept the condition that no single Great Power can apply a veto to prevent discussion by the Council of a dispute brought to its attention. This had been a point of difference which threatened the complete breakdown of the Conference. The smaller nations disliked the power of veto as applied to enforcement action ; they were still more uneasy when the right of veto was made applicable to decisions to investigate a dispute (a right which is retained under the compromise) ; but felt that nothing worth having would be left if it could be applied to the discussion of disputes (a demand now -relinquished by Russia). Undoubtedly Mr. Harry Hopkins deserves much credit for having made it clear to Marshal Stalin that this matter was endangering the Conference ; and equally it should be recognised that Marshal Stalin, in making this concession, has shown that he is not less anxious than anyone else to establish a world organisation for peace. Now all the major difficulties at San Francisco have been cleared out of the way, and the success of the conference is put beyond doubt. All the commissions are now again at work, not least of them being that which, under the inspiring chairmanship of General Smuts, is dealing with the creation of an Economic and Social Council. The scope and powers of this Council have been steadily growing as they have come under discussion. It promises to be among the most important products of the San Francisco Conference.
