International: Statesmen Wanted

Some day UNO may become the vital center of world affairs. Statesmen may struggle to fill its posts. But last week it was in the position of the weak U.S. Supreme Court of 1800, when John Jay turned down the chief justiceship because the court lacked “energy, weight and dignity. . . .” Not only in the great, but even in the smaller countries leaders were bowing away from UNO’s $20,000 a year (tax free) job as Secretary-General.

Anthony Eden preferred to be No. 2 man in Britain’s Tory Party. Tubby Paul-Henri Spaak, who hopes to be Premier of Belgium, showed no interest in the job. Neither did Czechoslovakia’s Jan Masaryk.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, popular in many nations, was ruled out because the U.S. could not have both UNO’s site and UNO’s chief administrative post. Holland’s Dr. Eelco N. van Kleffens would be opposed by the Soviets.

Best bets remaining: Canada’s shrewd, easy-going Ambassador to Washington, Lester B. (“Mike”) Pearson, and Norway’s jovial, capable Trygve Lie.