Evening star., 1941-12-01
OIT VUS NC(VTO
Negotiated Internal Peace Among Americans
Urged in Worninq Against False Alliances

ardently work for our victory in
it. Mr.. Thomas, who is an ide-
illogical pacifist, would not.
But neither would Mr.. Lind
bergh. nor the groups who really
support him. who really under
stand his purpose of American
salvation" They are, and would
remain, fifth columnists; they do.
and would continue to, plug for
the Axis line; they do. and would
continue to, take their policy
from Berlin.
Mr.. Hoover, Gen. Wood, Zen.
johnson and Mr.. Landon cer-
tainly do not want an American
catastrophe in order to be able
to turn around and claim leader
ship on the basis of Il told you
So" But the LindberghiteS are
counting on the liquidation of the
American system through an un-
successful war. and the emer-
gence of a new party. under their
leadership, for Nazi collabora-
ton.
Internal Peace Needed.
Gen. Wood, who is patriot,
and who believes that this coun-
try is not strong enough for war,
must ask himself whether the
speeches of Mr.. Lindbergh and
the dissemination of calls for the
impeachment of the President,
and the exploitation of America
First by all the para fascist
leaders and groups is making
America stronger or weaker
stronger or weaker for whatever
may emerge. If the answer is
weaker" then the general is IN
a false alliance, as l believe him
to be.
There is no such thing as 100
per cent unity, but there ought
to be such thing as a negotl-
ated peace-why not begin first
in America, which desperately
needs negotiated internal
peace-between let US say, Mr..
Hoover and myself, We both
hate fascism and love America.
That is more than can be said
of Mr.. Lindbergh.
A democracy can only survive
the present world crisis on the
broadest possible basis of agree
ment, and the patriot seeks con-
tinually areas for agreement, not
for diSunion. No doubt 80 per
cent of the people of this coun-
try hope to avoid war but it is
also true that as large propOr-
ton want to see Hitlerism de-
feated and constructive solu-
ton in the Far East. The range
of choice is therefore limited,
and determined by events and
realities not by abstract wishes.
The areas of agreement are inf
nltelv larger than the areas of
disagreement. if first things are
put first-yes, if America is put
first.
PeriIs Of Cleavages.
And these areas of agreement
are essential even in order to
maintain a vigorously construc-
tive opposition. For there are
many things to be opposed in
the conduct Of our policy. I
should like to see Mr.. Willkie,
for instance, launch out and ex-
coriate some of the procedures
in Washington. But Mr.. Willkie
must rightly feel hesitant to do
so. when the policy itself is in
continual question.
This country has enemies with
in its gates. But they can only
become powerful insofar as they
are able to exploit disagreements
between those who are, essenti-
ally. friends, and will prove to
be friends in a showdoWn-un-
less disagreements have grown
into cleavages. and acrimonies
become exaggerated out of all
hope of peace.
And a thousand times better
war with a foreign foe than that.
Then the walls of the structure
begin to part, and the building
of our home to tumble, and the
slightest push from outside will
bring it down.
tReleased by The Bell Syndicate, Inc)