Evening star., 1938-02-02

Amid mounting congressional curiosity
as to the precise policy that motlvates
the 81 900 100000 naval and military ex-
pansion program there has just appeared
a remarkable analysis of President
Roosevelt's alleged Messiah urge. 1t
comes from one of the most distinguished
chroniclerS of the American scene. His
torian Charles A. Beard, who is spend
ing the winter in Washington assembling
material for the third volume of his
Rise of American Civilization" The
February number of Events, monthly
review of world affairs published at
East Stroudsburg. Pa, but edited in New
York deyotes its first six pages to an
article by DR.. Beard, entitled "Roose-
yelts Place in History" 1t is the most
outspoken diagnosis Of the Presidents s
international philosophy that has yet
emanated from responsible quarter.
DR.. Beard writes:
"Hovering over the scene is the pros
pect Of war That President Roosevelt
would struggle in the last ditch to keep
the country out Of foreign wars may well
be doubted. He has, to be sure. ex-
pressed hostility to war But realists in
politics. while accepting the sincerity Of
his present intentions, take no stock in
such declarations by rulers anywhere.
Besides. President Roosevelt is more or
less obsessed by the universal philan-
thropy Of Woodrow Wilson. Like Wilson.
he feels that America Is morally bound
to do good everywhere and imagines him.
self able to know the good in each and
every case
After commenting that Wilson might
make himself the greatest man in all
history by keeping the United States out
Of war never seemed to occur to him"
DR.. Beard continues his discussion Of
F. D. RS mental processes as follows:
Believing that he is under moral obli-
CATION to help decide the age-long quar-
rels OF Europe and Asia, President Roose-
welt has resisted every effort of Congress
powers Of Intervention abroad. More
than this. He has managed to destroy
the letter and spirit Of the first neu-
trality legislation and to acquire for
himself almost dictatorial powers over
American economy in relation to di-
plomacy and war-by the Neutrality Act
of 1887. He would not have done this
unless he believed that he was bound to
1lCAH PdSS OAA kAAC lASAlVCOOSA4S66 u 1OTClRu
quarrels and intended to use all his
powers, old and new, for such inter-
ventionist purposes. The policy Of
silence Is foreign to the exuberance Of
his nature. In case Of major war in
Europe or Asia, there Is ground for be-
lieving that he will speedily get the
United States into the fray. That he
could carry the country with lofty senti-
ments Is highly probable. Americans
are the prize sentimentalists of the
known universe. But with what out
come? Here, too, even probabilities are
elusive. That Americans will be euchered
at the peace conference, whether they
lose or win the war, is fairly certain.
That President Roosevelt would ride
high on war glamour for a time goes
without saying"
Historian Beard. despite his apparent
mistrust Of Mr.. Roosevelt's peace prot
estations, pays tribute to his humani-
tartan policy saying: I'm one respect
he is unique among the Presidents Of
the United States. . Even when his
most severe Republican critics have I'm
ished their indictments, it remains .
fact that President Roosevelt has pene-
trated deeper into the aspirations and
tragedy of American life than any of
their heroes, even Lincoln himself.
Whatever else may happen, it seems safe
to say that President Roosevelt has
made more profound impression upon
the political, social and economic
thought of America than any or all Of
his predecessors. If so, then he will
occupy place of his own in the long
judgment of history"
Another American exp9t-An egtGn0