Evening star., 1940-10-15

WAL IL NOulu NC plOiSioDiS w A'''' y
some one else at the helm. Just or
unjust though the impression may
be. Mr.. Roosevelt has created a deep
distrust among large numbers OF
citizens who believe he has en-
phasized crises in our foreign rela-
tions so as to lay the basis for a
breaking of the two-term tradition
of $50 years. Every Gallup poll has
shown that sensational speeches and
dramatic actions by the President
In foreign policy have sent upward
the curve of Mr.. Roosevelt's political
strength. 1t would be tragic, indeed,
If circumstances beyond Mr.. Roose-
yelt's control did force us into war
during a third d-term administration.
Then the American people became
divided because of deep dlStrust
on the part of millions OF persons
as to how we got into the war.
In 1917 it was Mr.. Wilson whose
party had preached the doctrine OF
peace by negotiation in the presl-
dental campaign of few months
before. When we did 60 into the
war Mr.. Wilson naturally acquired
the support of all the elements which
had backed Mr. Hughes because they
had thought the latter would be
more vigorous in defense OF Amerl-
can rights. Mr.. Wilson already had
the support of all the elements
which had gone along before on
his peace policy because it became
evident to them and to the Presl-
dent that peace could no longer
be sustained with honor. This
meant a united America. Except
for a handful. the peace elements
trusted Mr.. Wilson.
Roosevelt "War Party"
I'm the present situation the pro-
war elements are on Mr.. Roosevelt's
side. His is the war party, in the
opinion of many citizens. The op-
position. while sympathetic with
England, does not yet believe war
Is necessary. Should events beyond
Mr.. WILKES control make it de-
sirable for him as President to lead
this Nation into war, he Will get
united country much more readily
because he will start with q pre-
sumption against the need of war.
This is because he has not made po-
litical capital out of the pro-war
side in the campaign. The peace
party will trust him.
The talk of a new President being
unfamiliar with the details of for
eign policy is misleading. The men
who prepare the basic memoranda
on foreign policy and who really
know the details are non-political
officials who do not change with ad-
ministrations.
There are many of us who believe
our entry into the war still can be
averted by the right kind of lead
ership in America. 1t will not be
accomplished by bluster or swash-
buckling speeches. To the writer, it
seems that President Roosevelt has
completely forgotten that he is ex-
pected to be the leader of the moral
forces as we'll as the physical forces
of democracy.
Instead of discerning with true
understanding the plight of the
italian people and even their ruler
in having been caught by Hitler in
a trap which forced them to go
along with Germany, Mr.. Roosevelt
chose to see only the manifestation
OF a stab in the back"
WarIike to Divided japanese.
Instead of understanding the Jap
anese people as divided today and
torn by military leaders, on the one
hand, and by those civilian groups
on the other who know that the
United States can and should be
their friend, the speeches from
Washington are militant and war
like.
Instead of crying out to mankind
against aerial bombardment and
seeking to penetrate the sympathies
of the millions of persons, in Ger
many, Italy, France and the Bal
kans who must some day rise against
the tyranny that now enslaves them,
the President says nothing to arouse
the moral force of the world.
Instead of expressing the senti-
ment of a disinterested people in
the hope of finding a formula for
an honorable peace, Mr.. Roosevelt
speaks with contempt about move
ments OF conciliation and derisively
calls them "appeasement."
America, the richest and most
powerful country in the world, has
tremendous influence. It should be
the maker of peace, not the pro-
longer Of wars. 1t can never acqui-
esce In defeat OF Britain but, on
the other hand, it can insist re-
peatedly that any peace must mean
the restoration of freedom to all
countries and it must be ready with
q program Of principles for world
peace even If war comes our way.
The persistent expression of such
. view ultimately would penetrate
10 all peoples on the European con-
tinent. 1t was just such doctrine
that finally caused the German
people to overthrow autocracy in
1918. It can do so again. But even
II nobody can guarantee the success
Of such an idea, it is worth trying
for the long run. Is any course that
might lead to peace shameful if it
contributes in the end toward the
assurance of human freedom?
Another Might Heal Wounds.
Gradually a stalemate in the war
may appear when the Nazis will
have to give back their gains in
territory and be guided by another
kind of leadership than they have
today Such an occasion may come