Evening star., 1939-10-02

Charles G. Ross. aspects of the
New Deal, and Bennett Clark of
Missouri can oppose the President
on neutrality without breaking
with Mr.. Garner. Senator Vanden-
berg of Michigan against repeal
of the arms embargo) and Senator
Taft of Ohio for repeaD can be
on opposite sides of the fence and
yet both remain in good standing
as candidates for the Republican
nomination for President
The condition which these curious
alignments and divisions portray
is one that, invites three cheers
from all believers in our demo-
cratic system.
Gives Proof Of Virtue.
That system may be at times un-
conscionably slow in its workings
(though slowness is not always a
faulD it may often be hamstrung
by partisan excesses; but now and
again it gives proof of its great
essential virtue. In this instance
it is enabling question of tram
scendent importance to the Ameri-
can people to be settled in a free and
open forum-and settled without
regard to the ordinary party di-
visions.
We accept this good fortune as
matter of course; it represents.
none the less, an achievement for
democracy that stands out brightly
in today's world.
There is poignant letter in the
current issue of the New Republic
which shows how important to hu-
man dignity and integrity is the
preservation of the democratic
principle. 1t is from Granville
Hicks, author and former college
teacher, and in it he tells why he
is resigning from the Communist
Party. He had either to accept and
defend the Soviet pact
and defend it in the terms of the
party leaders-or resign from the
party. There could be no faintest
deviation from the party line"
handed down from above. He re-
signed.
The division within the Repubh-
can Party on the neutrality issue
is dramatized by the sharply oppos-
ing positions of Senators Taft and
Vandenberg. If to their views be
added those of Senator Bridges of
New Hampshire, it may be said that
the compass of possible opinion, or
lack of opinion, on the question Of
embargo repeal is boxed by the three
Republican senatorial aspirants to
the presidency.
Vandenberg Voices Stand.
Senator Vandenberg is among the
leaders against repeal. He thinks
it would be step toward war. His
positive views have been often ex-
pressed and are we'll known.
Senator Bridges made a radio
speech Saturday in which he stood
on the non-controversial ground of
'non-intervention and home prepa-
ration" and urged that Congress be
kept in session to revise the Neu-
trality Act ION short notice to meet
emergencies"
senator Ia1t, VINO also spoke over
the radio Saturday, declared there
was mo reason or logic" in the con-
tention that the selling of arms to
Europe would mean the later send
ing of American troops. He spoke
for embargo repeal coupled with a
rigid cash-and-carry system. He
said the present recommendations of
the President are entirely consist
ent with neutrality and increase the
chance of our keeping out of war"
And he gave the following sound
advice to his party:
ut is important that the Repub-
lican party, If it is to maintain its
position of authority with the peo-
pie, shall not cry wolf until there
Is q wolf"
In the conflict of views on the
embargo issue there is material for
a memorable Senate debate, and
whatever the decision may be, 1t
will have the merit of being q de-
cision dictated neither by the Presi-
dent nor by anybody else imposing
party line" In that fact, even
those who would have had the result
60 otherwise should find cause for
satisfaction.