Evening star., 1939-03-08
Mr.. Stimson's S Looic


former Secretary of State, concerning
the attitude which the United States
should assume toward the Fascist
nations of the world is sound. His
argument has been set forth in and
by The Star repeatedly, not in the
interest OF war, but definitely in be-
half OF peace. That argument is
predicated on history; its foundation
is human experience through many
centuries. II any wiser, saner, more
realistic philosophy exists, where, it
may be wondered, will it be found?
Mr.. Stimson is patiently correct in
his Judgment that the aggressor
powers despise democracy, are ag-
greSSive and violent in their behavior.
militantly opportunistic in their pur-
poses and relentlessly cruel in their
methods. They have made new rules
for the game, and they change the
rules without notice to suit what they
regard as their convenience. "The
neighbors" of such nations "are COM
PEELED to live in anticipation of i'm
mediate forceful attack" Also, they
are obliged to understand that so
long as they have not surrendered
to the demands laid upon them by
potential aggressors they will be
flooded with propaganda, insulted,
provoked until finally challenged to
combat in defense of their right to
practice more decent and honorable
doctrine of government and social
adjustment.
1t is not too much to say that the
totalitarian regimes, in Europe and
in the Orient alike, are determined
to drag the whole race down to their
own level. Mr.. Stimson insists that
such a situation is obviously the
reversal of all civilized international
society as we have known it in the
past" He asks: Does any thought
full man believe that inaction or soft
words from us would prevent similar
attacks being made against the
United States?" The answer, taking
into account China, Ethiopia, Austria
and Czecho-Slovakia, must be: No!
However, it is not enough to be
aware of the danger With condi-
tions as they are, it is enlightened
self-interest for Americans to join
their strength to that of sister de-
mocracies for mutual protection. It
does not matter very much where
the frontier may be. Mr.. Stimson de-
clares: Il believe that our foreign
policy cannot with safety be geo.
graphically limited to defense of
this hemisphere or of our own con-
tlnental boundaries" It is logical,
then, for him to urge that Great
Britain, France and the United States
should agree upon common action"
in determined effort to avoid a war
which might mean ultimate dis
aster."
The choice, perhaps, is one which
most Americans would rather not
make. But nothing thus far at
tempted, nothing thus far achieved,
and nothing urged by those who
believe world peace and our own
peace can best be served by a clear,
fearless and realistic program of
democratic cooperation at this time
is unworthy of American traditions.
President Roosevelt has been faith
full to his duty, he has not involved
his country in any "entangling alli-
ance," he has not committed his
country to any pulling of foreign
chestnuts' out of any fire. Nor does
ne intend to. Mr.. Stimson, Re-
publican, is supporting him in his
effort to keep the United States free
and independent, yet not unmindful
OF the perils which threaten all de-
mocracies, nor careless of their in
terests in the present world crisis.
"All parties and citizens" should
unite to the end that America NAV
not be weakened, even by academic
debate, in the most serious emer-
gency since 1918.