Unfinished Business

In London's County Hall, debate was heated, committee meetings solemn with high hope and great responsibility. Hard working delegates, unable to get taxis after late night sessions, stoically bedded down in an A.R.P. shelter. In spite of all this earnest effort, UNRRA's governing council finished its semiannual meeting almost exactly where it had started.

Money Matters. The Council voted to ask contributing members (invaded countries' do not contribute) for another $1.8 billion, equal to one percent of their national incomes. This, it thought, might permit UNRRA to finish its job in Europe by the end of next year and in Asia a few months later.

Delegates promised to carry home the request, but none made a binding promise. Britain's delegation said that she would have a struggle to make up her 17% share. U.S. delegates thought Congress would approve the U.S. quota if it did not exceed 75% of the world total; but if other nations faltered, Congress might balk.

Abstention on Expansion. Fur flew on a proposal to admit Australia, Brazil and Yugoslavia to the Council's Central Committee. The Russians objected, apparently because no instructions had been received from Moscow, even to inclusion of friendly Yugoslavia. After the motion was defeated, Russia requested that her negative vote be converted to an abstention.

Observation Offer. The spy-scared Russians refused to permit UNRRA observers to oversee the distribution of relief, but were willing to cut their original $700,000,000 request to $320,000,000. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State William L. Clayton and Britain's Philip Noel-Baker agreed to offer Russia $240 million and still insisted that Russia admit observers. The conference ended with the still-unsettled Russian question in the lap of the Central Committee.

Last Word. UNRRA's director general, Herbert Lehman, warned the meeting: "If UNRRA fails in its mission, the name of the United Nations will be a mockery in Europe." UNRRA had not yet failed, but its prospects were poor.

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