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 . 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.”
