The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1941-08-14

been reached where the prospect of an
end to hostilities can be discussed
without evoking the charge of APP
peasement.
The speech of Acting Secretary of
States Welles a few weeks ago, in
which he envisioned postwar coop
GRAFTON of America, England and the
other democracies in an effort to in
sure reestablished civilization against
again being torn to pieces was one
evidence of this. If that speech meant
anything, it meant a resurrected and
revitalized League Of Nations (no
matter by what name it is called in
which America would play the role
for which she was cast twenty-odd
years ago and from which she con-
temptidly shrank.
#a#
In such a league the weight of the
American-British combination inev-
itably would dominate. Most persons
will agree that world peace and inter
national stability being in the interest
of both these nations, their joint CON
troll would be the surest way to
achieve those things. If they cannot
be brought about in that way, they
cannot be brought about at all. At
least no suggestion of an even reas-
enable alternative has been made in
great many years, and certainly it is
clear that the policy of isolation, which
this country embraced when it re-
jected the League will be utterly un-
tenable once this conflict is over. No
Intelligent man thinks we can revert
to that doctrine. That, at least, has
been proven beyond dispute.
$3.50
The second evidence of the official
look beyond the war is in the appoint
ment by the President of the new
Economic Commission, Of which Vice
President Wallace is the head and
which includes seven members of the
Cabinet 1t is true that the announce
ment creating this commission and
designating the Vice-President as its
chairman was somewhat. cloudy, and
the notion was promptly promulgated
that, at last, yielding to pressure, the
President had named single head
with full power to coordinate all de-
Tense activities. That idea turns out to
be just one hundred per cent wrong.
That man, unfortunately, is still to
be named. Mr.. Wallace and his COM
mission are to function in the inter-
national, not the national, field and
the defense organization is today just
as headless and just as confused as it
was before the Wallace commission
came into existence.
##"
The real idea behind the latter is to
balance and cooperate with a similar
economic commission in England, the
Joint endeavor being not only to de-
wise and adopt such economic meas
ures now as will aid in the blockade
and embarrassment of the Axis DOW
rs but to evolve such plans which, once
peace has arrived, will revive interna-
tional trade and reopen the channels
Of commerce between nations all over
the world. In creating this commission
the President appears to have acted
wisely. 1t is also difficult to see how
he could have done much better than
put Mr. Wallace at the head, partic-
ularly as Mr.. Hull, whose knowledge
along these lines exceeds that of any
one else, will be on the commission.
##
Because of his heavy duties as Sec
rotary of State, the President could
not make Mr.. Hull chairman of the
commission, but his presence on it was
clearly essential. The Vice-President's
position made him the one man who
properly could be put over the Secre-
tary of State. Without disparaging
Mr.. Wallace's other qualifications, that
fact had considerable to do with his
selection. There was also the advan-
tage Of his youth, vigor and lack of
any official burdens outside of those
entailed in presiding over the Sen
ate. 1t may be said that Mr.. Wallar
has no notion that the Presj mt
has clothed him with power to become
the B. M. Baruch of the defense organ
ization. The need for such a man is
very great, but Mr.. Wallace is not
that man, and he has no idea of try
ing to be.
mmm
The really fine thing about both the
Welles speech and the Wallace COM
mission is the feeling they cngender
of assured victory for the Allies.
Clearly, both were based on that be-
lief. Neither means very much unless
Hitler is defeated. Both, obviously,
look to the postwar period. Each is
indicative Of confidence that peace is
not too far away and that when it
comes it will be an Allied peace, not
Hitler peace and not peace nego-
tiated with an unbeaten Hitler. Moth
ing could be clearer than the stand
which both Mr.. Churchill and the Pres
ident have taken that there can be nc