The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-23
Liberal Viewpoint
by DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES

TIVE coincidence Of Washington's birthday
Il and the revival Of isolationism following the
rejection of the World Court makes it especially
timely and relevant to point out the fallacles IN
the doctrines of our American iSolatlonlSts.
One of the chief obstacles to the intelligent
and active participation Of the United States
in world affairs has been the assertion OF our
isolationist leaders that the fathers OF our re-
public we're in favor Of remaining aloof from
world affairs and urged our non-partlclpatlon IN
European and world politics.
Isolationists can get no comfort from the doc
trines of the fathers of this country except
through tearing statements from their context
and ignoring the historical facts OF those days
The only persistent principle in early Amer
lean foreign policy is that OF f1eMbillty ana ex-
pediency. We were a small and weak state IN
the early days. Therefore it behooved us not to
line up in risky and unnecessary fashion with
any European alliance that might put us at the
mercy of its opponents. But we had no hesta-
ton in accepting an alliance that would obvl-
ously benefit us.
For example. in our preliminary negotiations
for French aid in ITS, John Adams pointed out
the necessity of avoiding alliance which
should entangle US in any future wars in Eu-
rope"
We quickly passed, however, from such pre-
cautions and allied ourselves with both France
and SPAIN even agreeing, if necessary, to declare
ness to Join Catherine the Greats Armed Neu-
trality of 1880, but we were never officially in
vited to do so.
A T the close of the Revolution the Congress
L y Of the Confederation clearly stated our
fundamental policy: The true interest of the
states requires that they should be little as
possible entangled in the politics and controver-
sizes of European nations"
Here then we have the core of the Ameri-
can foreign policy that was adhered to by the
fathers. It can only be interpreted as an isola-
zionist policy by those who are unacquainted
with European conditions at the time Such an
latitude if applied today, would advise against
an alliance either with France and its satellites
or with Germany and its associates. 1t could
not be stretched to cover any advice to keep
aloof from the League Of Nations or the World
Court.
George Washington continued the tradition
of the Confederation with no essential change.
john Jay was sent to negotiate treaty with
England that would settle difficulties involved
in the unfulflled Treaty of 1888 But when
France called upon us to support its revolution
against monarchical attacks in Europe, Wash
ington refused to allow us to be drawn into war
in behalf of any European philosophy, system
or intrigue.
CONSEQUENTLY he issued the Neutrality
~ Proclamation of April %, 1893 In his
famous Farewell Address" of Sept. II, 1876, he
put the full force of his prestige behind the
American foreign policy of flexibility and eX-
pediency:
why, by Intervening our destiny with
that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace
and prosperity in the tolls of European ambi-
ton, rivalship, interest, hU1nor or caprice?
" It's our true policy to steer clear of perma-
nent alliances with any portion of the foreign
world 49,.
Taking care always to keep ourselves, by
suitable establishments, on respectable de-
fensive posture, we may safely trust to tenn
porary alliances for extraordinary emergencies
Washington recognized that revolution and
change were sweeping over Europe. We might
make an alliance with a friendly government
and then see it pass suddenly into the control
Of another clique or party that would be op-
posed to the sound interests of the United
States.
Moreover, Washington made it clear in his
annual message of 1888 as we'll as in other parts
Of his Farewell Address," that even the degree
of our discretion in avoiding foreign involve
ments was to depend upon our strength Once
the United States had become powerful and
well-establshed 1--WE may choose peace or war,
as our interests, guided by justice shall counsel