Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-06-19
Have The People Spoken?

Many OF those who are so strong
for intervention on the part of Ameri-
ca in the European war try to make
out that the question of peace or
war was settled in the last general
election. They say that all-out-aid
to Britain was a major issue in the
last campaign. 1t is true that both
President Roosevelt and Mr.. Willkie
were for aid to Britain, and that their
foreign policies differed but little,
if any.
But how can anyone say that be-
cause of electing one of two major
candidates for President who are
alike on foreign policy, that there
fore the American people have taken
an outright stand for Intervention
in this European war?
If there had been a clear cut issue
between the two candidates repre-
senting the two major political par
ties-if one had been for interview
ton and the other for isolation, and
the one for intervention had been
elected, then there would be some
thing to the point that intervention
lists make.
It is apparent by now that the
crowd that wants America to get
into this war was not particular
as to which of the two-Roosevelt or
Willkie-was elected. When there
was no choice between the two can
didates on foreign policies it cam
not be said that the people have
spoken on that issue. Those who
want war are continually saying
that we must work in unity. If
unity means getting America into the
war, there are millions of people
who do not want unity. Therefore,
it would be well to have a vote, a
referendum, on that particular ques-
tion AS it is, the American people
have not yet spoken directly or in
directly in an election.
1t reminds one of the situation
concerning U. S. Senator from Min
nesota, Joseph H. Ball, who was ap-
pointed to that position by the gov
ernor. He is filling out the unex-
pired term of the late Senator Ernest
Lundeen, who was elected by the
people in 1886, and who was known
for his stern opposition to war.
Mr.. Ball says that the American
people have spoken, we cannot e
back on our word. Just before pass
age of the lend-lease bill Senator
Ball gave out statements to the eff.
feet that he was still studying the
legislation and would cast his vote
after due consideration and in &C.
cordance with the best information
at hand.
| If he is so sure now that the peo-
pie have spoken, it would seem thai
he might have taken the people into
his confidence and explained before
passage of the lend-lease bill just
what the bill meant. According tc
his own words, he was not sure which
way he was going until he voted on
the measure and afterward he shouts
that the people have spoken and that
must stand.
During debate on the lend-lease
bill and while Joe was in the twilight
zone the bill was heralded as meas
ure to prevent war for America. And
the public is supposed to know all
about it! Minnesota's junior senator
asks the administration now and then
to give more information to the pub
lie about foreign affairs and all this
war business-to lay the cards on
the table. Too bad Joe did not prac-
tice that before passage of the lend
lease bill.
1t is easy to say because of the
national election and some legisla-
ton that the people have spoken,
but lodging behind such smoke
screens will not be healthy for a
senator when the issues were not
made clear.