Evening star., 1941-09-21
Foreign Policy Issue
In Congress Races
Opposed by Taft
Senator Coils Wilkes
Stond on IsoIutionist
Candidates Unfortunate
By ], A. O'LEARY,

Senator Taft, Republican, Of Ohio,
took issue last night with Wendell
L. Willkie, titular head of the party,
on the question of making this
country's foreign policy factor in
the 1912 congressional elections.
"I see no reason why each Con-
gresham and each Senator should
not run on his own foreign policy
record" said Senator Taft. There
are plenty Of domestic issues on
which the Republican Party stands
united, and it is unfortunate that
Mr. Wendell Willkie should attempt
to read out of the party those who
disagree with him on foreign policy"
The Ohio Senator was one of the
contenders for the presidential
nomination that went to Mr.. Willkie
at last years Republican convention.
He apparently had reference TO the
recent revelation that the 1910 Re-
publican standard bearer plans to
throw his support next year to those
Republican Senators and Repre-
sentatives who have backed the Cow
ernment's present foreign policy.
WILKES Position.
Mr.. Willkie has made it clear he
does not believe the Republican
Party can succeed if it becomes an
isolationist party. but persons close
to him say that his personal course
of action has been confined TO in
dicating that he would support for
reelection those Republicans who
agree with that view The inference
has been that where the Republican
candidate is an isolationist against
a Democrat of the opposite view,
he would merely keep hands off and
take no part.
Foreign policy is not usually
considered a matter of partisanship.
said Senator Taft. Congressional
votes on the question have cut across
party lines, and there is no reason
for the Republican party to make
an issue Of foreign policy next year"
A prominent Democratic Senator,
who was not ready TO discuss the
subject publicly, indicated a firm
belief yesterday, however, that the
be a factor in the congressional
elections whether or not it is openly
discussed.
This belief was borne out earlier
yesterday when Senator La Toilette,
Progressive, of Wisconsin, met Mr..
Wilkes plan to support interna-
tionally minded Republicans by call
ing on iSolationists TO prepare for
political battle in 1912.
Question of Authority.
Senator Taft also made the point
that no Republican national con-
vention can be held to make any
binding declarations regarding pol
icy before next years elections, ard
the party national committee clearly
mas no authority TO make such dec
larations."
The position taken by the Ohio
Senator. that each member Of Cor
gress should be permitted to run IL
his own foreign policy record. cc!l
cides with the reported attitude T,
House Minority Leader Martin. w
is chairman of the Republican Nc-
tional Committee.
Nevertheless. if Republicans VII
have supported the present adm
istration's foreign policy should ! y
more successful at the polls nc.
year than those who have taken u
opposition view 1t would strengthcl
Mr.. WILKES position, just as a
contrary result would be CALCULATED
to weaken it.
Senator Taft does not come u
for reelection until 1914 so that r
own position will not be put to Z
test next year.