THE WEEK

The UN Assembly’s special committee on defining “aggression” has adjourned without agreement. The committee’s sixty-six page report concluded: “In view of the obvious divergence of views, it was decided not to put any existing draft (of definition) to the vote.” And a wise conclusion it was—though it didn’t go far enough. It is impossible to define “aggression” for the simple reason that the pursuit of one nation’s vital interest will be considered, and not even insincerely, aggression by another nation. The UN, however, was founded with the express purpose of preventing “aggression.” To be consistent, the UN Assembly’s special committee on defining “aggression” should of course have amended its self-explanatory conclusion by suggesting that the UN be dissolved.

Mr. Eisenhower’s enemies have long contended that he is a hater with a very long wind. They adduce as evidence of this such facts as that he has not seen Mr. Truman since Inauguration Day of 1953 (when Eisenhower refused him the traditional courtesy of entering the White House to escort him out to the car) ; that he refused last November to watch on television Adlai Stevenson’s statement conceding him the election; that he has not consulted General Mac-Arthur, not having forgiven him his backing Senator Taft in 1952. Now, with what struck us as an unseemly relish, Mr. Hagerty has announced that the White House guest list will include every member of Congress except Senator McCarthy. It is regrettable that the President’s enduring animosity cannot be directed towards such persons as Marshal Zhukov or Marshal Tito.

Featured Tags

The UN Assembly’s special committee on defining “aggression” has adjourned without agreement. The committee’s sixty-six page report concluded: “In view of the obvious divergence of views, it was decided not to put any existing draft (of definition) to the vote.” And a wise conclusion it was—though it didn’t go far enough. It is impossible to define “aggression” for the simple reason that the pursuit of one nation’s vital interest will be considered, and not even insincerely, aggression by another nation. The UN, however, was founded with the express purpose of preventing “aggression.” To be consistent, the UN Assembly’s special committee on defining “aggression” should of course have amended its self-explanatory conclusion by suggesting that the UN be dissolved.

Mr. Eisenhower’s enemies have long contended that he is a hater with a very long wind. They adduce as evidence of this such facts as that he has not seen Mr. Truman since Inauguration Day of 1953 (when Eisenhower refused him the traditional courtesy of entering the White House to escort him out to the car) ; that he refused last November to watch on television Adlai Stevenson’s statement conceding him the election; that he has not consulted General Mac-Arthur, not having forgiven him his backing Senator Taft in 1952. Now, with what struck us as an unseemly relish, Mr. Hagerty has announced that the White House guest list will include every member of Congress except Senator McCarthy. It is regrettable that the President’s enduring animosity cannot be directed towards such persons as Marshal Zhukov or Marshal Tito.