Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-01-29
Says IsoIutionists
Are Defeutists
Writer Argues That Peace
By Negotiation Would Be
Fatally Dangerous

To the Editor Of The Star:
In reading the statements which Col.
Charles A. Lindbergh made at the hear
ing on the "iend-lease" bill, one finds
that he expresses the sentiments of the
isolationist group in this country. They
look at the European war as purely
local squabble and rather an unim-
portant one at that. They feel that it
could be settled by negotiated peace
which would leave the world in about
the same position as prior to the out
break of hostilities. If one is willing to
look at the present war in that light,
one can see how it is possible to regard
our own national security as a purely
domestic problem.
But can we ever return to pre-War con-
ditions? Even if it were possible to have
a negotiated peace, how much short of
absolute surrender to Hitler would that
peace be? How can we have any hope
of negotiating peace with Hitler on
terms short of absolute surrender when
he has hope of achieving his ends by
continuing the war? There may have
been a time when one could consider
those who advocated negotiated peace
as appeaSers. They are absolute surren-
derers now. We can no longer look at
tions. If We could, We could build up
some defense for an isolationist policy
for this country and feel quite free from
invasion. At least, feel that way for the
time being
Those conditions, however, are gone,
never to return. We cannot turn back
the hands of the clock. nor turn back the
pages of history. The present war is not
just local squabble but a world revo-
luton; world revolution regardless of
which side wins or even If neither side
wins. We have a choice of getting into
1t and helping to shape its course and
helping to shape the destiny of the world,
engulfs us. The idea that we can con-
tinue as we have for the past generation
is fantasy that would do justice to some
Of the fairy-tale writers.
Suppose we should try to negotiate a
peace, how would we go about it? Would
We not have to follow the tactics used
by the Russians in August, 1899, and
sell out the other countries for a share
of the booty? Is there any other way
we could negotiate peace with Hitler?
In such division could we not consider
ourselves lucky if We could get Canada,
Australia and even a part of Latin
America? If we should get them we
would have to incorporate them COM
pletely into our economic and govern
mental system, as Hitler would try by
every means available short of war. to
get them away from us just as he did
the small countries of Europe prior to
the war.
Unless those isolatonists who are
talking about a negotiated peace have
concrete plans for meeting such prob
lens as would arise after such a peace.
they should be able to see how much
hope they have of preventing Hitler
from completing his conquest of the
world. They must also recognize that
whatever portion of the world they sue
coed in getting from Hitler is certain
to be almost entirely agricultural.
They must recognize that we have an
agricultural problem right here in this
country and have had it for the past 20
years. They must recognize that that
problem has been largely caused and
aggravated by the isolationist policies
of the past. They should be able to see
that their isolationist program of a
negotiated peace might well lead to &C.
ceptance of the yoke of Nazi slavery.
CLARENCE ARMSTRONG.
Arlington, Va.