Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-12-04
Gen.. johnson
Parts With
America First
Can't Accept lis Plan
TO Enter Politics

SOME time ago, news reports
~ were TO the effect that the
America First Committee in
tended 10 start a new political
party advocating a no-war
policy.
When this writer joined that
committee he understood, as
had been frequently announced
that its purposes were not those
of partisan politics. The very
basis of its activities was sup
posed TO be argument in the
best American and democratic
sense against any unnecessary
involvement in overseas war
and both unnecessary and un-
precedented delegations OF con-
stitutional power from the
Legislature to the single person
OF the President.
The former standing was de-
signed 10 preserve the economic
and fiscal structure of the
United States against bank
ruptcy. The latter was in
tended TO preserve the political
tor,n AGAINST tho nniNprSa
curse of totalitarlanlsm and
especially of faseism.
From these ideas. standards
and positions, this column has
not wavered one hairs breadth.
The trend within the America
First Committee, however. has
been constantly away from
them. or at least toward dis
tinctly political NOV n I.
There naturally gravitated In
the direction of that committee
a curious hodge podge Of Com
munists, Pacifists and opponents
Of various other "isms" too nu-
merous to mention.
The words of some Of its
principal speakers began 10 take
on a tone of religious or racial
intolerance in which this writer
can have no part.
NEVERTHELESS, h av z
~ nailed a banner 10 that
masthead. il seemed part Of
timid cowardice TO resign or
otherwise repudiate the original
position taken by the commit
tee. Notwithstanding that this
writer felt il was continually
departing from him and not he
from it.
When the news reports re-
ferred 10 above were published.
this ColumniSt felt il q duty TO
warn that. if any political aspect
should be given 10 this move
ment. he would feel duty-bound
10 split blankets with IL. regard
less OF the continued presence
of some very old and well-be-
loved friends. like General Wood,
whose patriotic motive will ever
remain above reproach.
NOW the meeting at which
~ this policy was expected 10
be decided upon has taken place.
II is some comfort 10 know that
the idea Of starting third party
on this issue has been aban-
doned. But The intention has
been announced 10 use the COM
mittee 10 oppose candidates in
the midterm election for both
the House and the Senate who
have voted against the original
principles of the committee.
This seems hardly less repre-
hensible than the third party
threat ,-
When Mr.. Wendell Winkie.
r. from his highly dubious and GER
tainly eXpedient and temporary
position as Republican leader,
made a similar threat against
all who did not vote for the ex-
tension Of presidential powers
and indiscriminate involvement
all over the earth's surface and
without regard 10 costs OF bill
lions. this column regarded il
as singularly arrogant and of
fensive almost TO the point OF
political obscenity. and frankly
said so. II can't see much diff
ference in this second and SINH
lar case.
TT is too far ahead for any
L body 10 take a position which
would bind him. at all events, in
the lightning-like changes OF the
international situation.
Whether you approve ii or
not. every step that is taken in
further involvement puts Ameri-
can soldiers and sailors AT peril
and leaves in the minds of a
veteran soldier. at least. no
choice but 10 try 10 help support
and protect them.
For example. this column has
never been able TO Justify our
involvement in eastern Asia with
Japan for the protection Of the
British empire. But since we
are involved. il must in all
candor and sincerity speak only
in loyalty and admiration of the
Presidents conduct and his
craftsmanship. and naval and
military strategy in supporting
our people there 10 meet the
dangers into which they have
been thrust.
As has been repeatedly pointed