Evening star., 1938-10-01
A Lesson for America
In Recent Crisis.


To the Editor OF The Star:
THAT man is petty indeed, who will
allow his prejudices to stand in the
way OF full and frank recognition of
the notable part played by the Presi-
dent of the United States and his Secre-
tary of State, Cordell Hull, in the late
negotiations for peace at Munich. Their
leadership was like voice crying in the
wilderness when prudence rather than
audacity might have dictated policy
and an attitude appareled in weasel
words.
AS Frank Kent. distinguished writer,
says: No fair-minded man will deny
that Mr. Roosevelts two appeals, di-
rected as SQuarely as could be at Hitler,
were enormously effective. Coming on
top Of Mr. Chamberlains last visit to
Germany, they helped put Hitler in that
painful position of unacceptable response
bility. They also made plain to every
one where, regardless of neutrality acts
and isolation sentiment, the sympathies
of this country would be If the conflict
came from a refusal of Hitler to. 'nego-
tiate.
Mr. Kent further says: TT does not
berlain's course or minimize the value
of the Mussolini act in temporarily halt
ing his open ally, to say that the Roose-
velt appeals were extremely timely and
immensely helpful"
In these hectic days through which we
are passing, we are prone to accept with
complete resignation all things that are
good and then, in the cold, gray dawn
Of the morning after, appear to be for
getful of those whose craftsmanship has
brought to the world release from the
horrors of war.
Now that we have just emerged from
its shadow, can we not with clean hearts
and new vision apply ourselves to put
ting our own domestic house in as per-
feet an order as possible so that the
needs of the future may be taken
care Of?
Having witnessed in Europe the results
of rivalrieS and hatred among peoples,
l am wondering if we have not now the
atmosphere. viewed from the perspective
of Europes difficulties. to cease our
squabbles and apply ourselves anselhShly
to constructive tasks.
In what happened at Munich, happily
there is no victory for either side, al
though there is slight moral gain for
democracieS. There is no doubt that the
idea of consultation by nations before
war, has slowly advanced and that force
as final arbiter of the destiny of men
has been held at bay.
To me the present is an hour Of oppor-
tunity, which, if taken hold of, may bring
us to a Renaissance of peace. a peace at
home as we'll as peace abroad. Is there
not lesson to all of US in what has re-
Gently happened? Why cannot we,
therefore, put our house in order through
magnanimity and the good will Of men,
so that democratic processes may be put
further to work to realize the hopes of
the average man of the streets.
Were I an industrialist, business
man. labor leader or a statesman,
would not stand aloof and remain indif-
ferent. There is still a mediating force
in the world-public opinion-which,
having made itself felt in a great inter-
national crisis can be further utilized in
solving our present domestic problems.
AS a leading editorial writer has
stated:
"An economically sound America, cap
able of making its plenitude of re-
sources meet the needs of the people,
would be brilliant example in an insane
world; moreover, it would serve as an
automatic warning against any power
which might have designs inimical to
our interests in any part Of the Western
Hemisphere, and it would safeguard us
against either Communism or Fascism
within our borders
The plight of the world should, there
fore, cause us to declare a peace among
ourselves, to remove hatred from our
hearts, to quit useless chickering's and
name-calling; to allay suspicion in an
effort to build Americas greatness and
sympathies for humanity to an un-
measured monument
j. p. TUMULTY.