Word: bohlen
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...When Bohlen appeared early this month before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he was hard pressed by Republicans. They questioned him especially about Yalta. Bohlen could have replied that he was merely an interpreter at Yalta; instead, he defended the secret deals, although he blamed the Russians for violating their terms. While the Senators pondered Bohlen's defense of past policy, Stalin died. The Administration wanted Bohlen confirmed quickly. But a strong Republican bloc refused to hurry. Last week their opposition came out into the open...
...Hampshire's Styles Bridges let it be known that the withdrawal of Bohlen's name had been urged on "top" Eisenhower aides. "We had an election," said Bridges, "and the Acheson-Truman policies were repudiated. [Bohlen] is an architect and part of the team determining those policies. I don't see why we should send such a man to one of the most delicate spots in the world. We should have a man in whom we, including the Congress, have complete confidence...
...hostility ranged in degree. Michigan's Homer Ferguson and California's William Knowland were not really happy about the nomination. Nevada's crusty Democrat, Pat McCarran, joined the GOP opposition; Bohlen's link with Yalta, he said, is "enough for me." Ohio's Robert Taft, in his role of Republican pacifier, thought the Moscow ambassadorship not important enough for a big intraparty battle. "Our Russian ambassador can't do anything. He is in a box at Moscow. All he can do is observe and report. He will not influence policy materially...
That was a better argument before Stalin died than it is today. While the Kremlin has not changed, Western opinion is far more susceptible to the suggestion that the Kremlin might change. Conceivably, Bohlen's reports could have an effect as misleading as those of Ambassador Joseph E. (Mission to Moscow) Davies...
This week Chip Bohlen was down with the measles just when he was scheduled to undergo another round of questioning by the Senate committee. Chances are he will be confirmed, but not without a fight...