Evening star., 1939-02-03
DANGEROUS Portisunship

AduSSi Si00S VI AsS0hSHiP
With the world again straining at
the precarious barriers which block
the road to war and with the situa-
ton demanding clear thinking by
cool heads, it is a matter OF grave
concern that there seems to be de-
veloping in some quarters a tend
ency to appraise the administrations
national defense plans from a po-
litical viewpoint.
A careful examination of the Pres
ident's armament proposals fails to
disclose any serious grounds for par
tisan debate, beyond certain unde-
fined fears that they are conducive
to war hysteria, that they are tanta-
mount to putting a chip on Uncle
Sans shoulder, that they call for
another spending spree at the eX-
pense of the taxpayers. The answer
to these fears is that the war hys-
terra, if it exists in this country, is
not of American origin, and is born
of a sad lesson in unpreparedness
learned twenty years ago; that rea-
sonable regard for ones safety does
not imply belligerency, and that ex-
penditures for adequate national de-
fense are a form of investment to
which no taxpayer who loves liberty
can afford to object.
It is proper, of course, that the
Congress, representing as it does the
American people and clothed as it is
with the sole right of declaring war,
should pay close attention to execu-
tive policies affecting national de-
fenSe and international relations.
The legislative branch would be dere-
lict in its duty if it failed to share
the responsibility for protecting our
borders and for preserving peace.
The security of the Nation requires
wholehearted cooperation between
the executive and legislative branches.
It admits of no political consider
ationS. The executive branch of ne
cessity must have reasonable de-
gree of latitude in the handling of
ever-changing world problems, of
meeting crises as they develop. The
Government thus far appears to have
met these problems in fortnight
manner. 1t has opposed dictator
ships, oppression and wars, declared
or undeclared; it has encouraged
democracies by words and by other
methods "short of war" 1t has de-
MED implements of war to belliger-
ents, has given peaceful democratic
governments access to certain de-
fensive equipment, such as war
planes.
Even though Mr. Roosevelt's ad-
ministration might benefit mate
rally from a strong defense pro-
gram, with its revival of tagging war
industries, of employment and of a
patriotic fervor that heals factional
strife, the cause is so vital and the
need for action so imperative that
Qlld1l1lllOuo ouppO1U IL oiii Oil SiSAASAAVo
of the citizenry is highly essential.
1t would be almost as alarming as
the sword-rattling of the dictators
if President Roosevelt's sound pro-
gram to date for Strengthening
Americas defenses against invasion
were to become embroiled in the
withering cross-flre of political back
biting, suspicion and innuendo. It
would be just as reprehensible for
Mr.. Roosevelt to make political cap
ital of the preparedness program as
for his critics to imperil the Nations
safety through attacks prompted by
dislike of the New Deal, or by doubts
as to the patriotic unselfishness of
the Presidents motives, or, perhaps,
by the political ambitions of some of
the critics, themselves.