Evening star., 1940-06-21
Above Their Porty

FTeSlQenC ROOSeVeltS selection OF
Henry L. Stimson and Colonel Frank
Knox, two prominent Republicans,
as his Secretaries of War and Navy
has run into a storm of criticism
emanating from G. o. P. and isola-
zionist sources.
Senate critics of the administra-
tion's foreign policy-notably Sena-
tors Wheeler and Clark-have said
that the President is trying to form
a war cabinet and have voiced their
fears that, step by step, we may be
led into the European conflict. At
Philadelphia, where news of the
Notwithstanding on the eve of
the Republican Convention-was re-
ceived with understandable conster-
nation, Mr.. Stimson and Colonel
Knox virtually were read out of the
party.
But what is the real truth behind
this hue and cry? Do these nomina-
tions indicate that the President has
altered in any way the foreign policy
that he has overwhelmingly with
the strong approval of the majority
Of the American people-since the
outbreak of the war last September?
Quite the contrary is true. Mr..
Roosevelt consistently and vigor-
ously has urged that this country in
the interests of it's own security,
should employ all methods short of
war to aid the forces opposing the
onrush of Hitlerism. Secretary of
War Woodring made no secret of the
fact that he was opposed to this
policy. Secretary of Navy Edison
was campaigning for the Governor
ship of New Jersey and was not in
a position to give his undivided at
tention to the duties of his cabinet
position, and he resigned a few days
ago. For these reasons it was essen
tial that the President should bring
new men into the cabinet.
Mr.. Stimson has served as Secre-
tary Of War and Secretary of State
under Republican Presidents. When
the Japanese first moved into Man.
churia, in 1881, he urged strong
action to check aggressor nations,
and he has not retreated from that
position in the slightest degree.
Colonel Knox, the Republican vice
presidential candidate four years
ago, likewise has long approved of the
policy which Mr.. Roosevelt advocates.
These men are able and energetic,
and their addition to the cabinet may
be expected to strengthen the Presi-
dents hand in dealing with an in
creasingly ominous situation abroad.
Only on the score of their timing
are the nominations open to legiti-
mate criticism. The announcement,
coming as the Republicans were
preparing to open their national
convention, could not have failed to
create resentment and confusion in
the G. o. P. ranks, and the President
would be in a stronger position had
he waited a few days before making
his selections known.
There have been reports that Mr..
Roosevelt gave assurances to Colonel
Knox, and possibly to Mr.. Stimson,
before they consented to serve in the
cabinet that he did not intend to be
candidate for third term. If those
reports are correct, the nominations
cannot be considered as having any
domestic political significance, and,
even If the contrary is true, there is
no justification for the abuse that is
being directed toward Mr.. Stimson
and Colonel Knox.
1t Is clear that these men are rising
above their party to devote them
selves, as they see it, to the service of
the Nation. They have laid their
republicanism aside in the earnest
belief that the external danger to
this country calls for non-partisan-
ship in the fullest sense of the word,
and our position would be more
secure today If their sentiments were
more widely held.