From 1939 to 1943 the United States went from a period of total opposition to the Soviets to a gradual acceptance of its new ally. The "New York Times" editorial page shared in this trend: moving cautiously from complete rejection of the Soviets to acceptance of the Russian people, next the Red Army, and finally the Soviet government. The "Times" was probably no more naive, no more idealistic, and no more expedient than any other leading newspaper in this country. Yet it provides a sample case study of the build-up of United States-Soviet cordiality. Post-war reaction against the Soviet Union would have been less intense if it had been based upon a more realistic foundation. An artificial Soviet Union had been created--a Soviet Union which was capitalistic, nationalistic, and religious. When the war ended and the Soviet policy was redirected, many realized that Stalin's ideas were no more amenable to western democracy than were Lenin's ideas. The judgments of the "Times," first in its attacks and later in its acceptance of the Soviet Union, were only a reflection of the judgments of the people of the United States in international affairs. (BZ)