Big Three Stirrings

Into the White House one day last week, past the iron gates, buzzed busy Ed Stettinius, just off the plane from San Francisco. His grey homburg was at a jaunty angle, his humor good. Twenty minutes later he emerged with happy tidings. President Truman, he announced, would visit the San Francisco conference.

The President will fly out,* probably on June 5. He will witness the signing of the San Francisco charter, then address the assembled delegates for 15 minutes. Following that, he will fly to Olympia, Wash., for a few days fishing and rest.

The capital immediately hummed with rumors that the Olympia trip might just be a stopover on the way to a Big Three meeting in Alaska. This was possible, but hardly probable. But preparations for a Big Three meeting--somewhere--went on.

Harry Truman dispatched two emissaries to prepare the way. To Moscow went ailing Harry Hopkins (whom anti-New Dealers had already dealt out of the new Administration). At the Kremlin, where he is no stranger, Harry immediately had a 90-minute conference with Stalin. No communiques were issued.

To London went rich Russophile Joseph E. Davies. He promptly paid a visit to Winston Churchill at Chequers. At week's end, Winston Churchill helped the Big Three talk along: he said not even the pressing election campaign (see FOREIGN NEWS) would prevent him from attending the meeting.

* His last flight was on Jan. 29, when, as Vice President, he flew to Kansas City for Boss Tom Pendergast's funeral.

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