Evening star., 1941-01-24

peasement" group and unfortunately
this has become term OF oppro-
brium because it assumed a certain
sympathy with the Nazi cause. Col.
Lindbergh has been careful to avoid
any direct expression of sympathy
for the Nazis, but he is recommend
ing a course of action which the ad-
ministration feels is directly OF aid
to the totalitarian cause.
The Lindbergh point of view is
most significant. 1t is not novel but
1t runs diametrically opposite to what
has been reported by Gallup polls
and otherwise to be the preponder-
ant sentiment of the Nation. There
is unhappily certain intolerance
prevalent which declines to argue
with men like Lindbergh. The tes-
timony given by the noted flyer,
however, forces that debate into the
open and lays before the public the
arguments of a man who, it is con-
ceded by diSinterested observers, Is
sincere and conscientious about 1t.
Belgium Cited.
Summed up, Col. Lindbergh feels
that no good can come of victory
by either side because it would mean
q long war. AS for America, he be-
lieves no invasion is probable be-
cause it is believed to be difficult to
invade across the ocean. Somehow
or another the millions of British
people who spend sleepless nights in
the underground and the families
of thousands who have been killed
by indiscriminate bombing would
harry accept the theory that every
thing will be all right for them in
the event of Hitler victory. The
millions of people in conquered
France do not find things all right |
for them now.
But to this sort of argument, Col.
Iindbergh answers that it is none
Of our business. His premise is that
80 long as Americans save their
own skins and keep their property, |
all will be well for them. The |
cool, calculating mind which brushes
aside all injustice and says America |
has no business worrying about |
what happens abroad because all |
will be well in the United States |
anyway Is not a newcomer in the !
ranks of those who debate world |
Issues. In Belgium there were many !
who said there must be no military
understandings In advance between
the Belgian and French general
STATS because this would be un-
neutral. In Holland there was
meticulous regard for neutrality as
the best way to avoid invasion, and
this was also true in Norway and
Denmark. Today those nations are
PROSTATE.
Col. Lindbergh reiterates what the
isolationist group has claimed for
20 years-that America can go it
alone and should go it alone no
matter what happens abroad. This
has been criticized as selfish and
Anhumane course, but it is defended
by a large group, of which Col.
Lindbergh is faithful exponent.
Americans Tradition.
Is 1t the traditional habit, how
ever, of the American people to
ignore injustice and to regard
despotism, let loose in the world,
as likely to draw the line at the
seacoasts of Europe? For decade
after decade the American people
have sympathized with free peoples
and have shed their blood in hu-
name causes. Today a considerable
body of opinion, included in which
are prominent Republicans and
Democrats, feels that Fascism and
Communism can invade the United
States In more ways than by air.
plane or Warship 1t is the fear
of such an invasion which has
aroused Americans to the dangers
inherent in the possible victory of
the totalitarian states.
Nowhere in Col. Lindbergh's testi-
mony Is there any seeming aware
ness of the obligations of human
brotherhood. The idea that 1t is
more important to live, even under
. despotism, but to live, is philos-
ophy that sometimes actuates men
to surrender ideals and liberties.
There are others, however, who do
not think life under a dictatorship
Is worth living. They are willing
to spend their own lives and their
fortunes and the lives of their chill
dren to prevent despotism from con-
quering the world. That's why they
want Britain to be helped so Amer