Evening star., 1942-02-03

kicking the administration in the
shins whenever itsstirred to safe
guard the Nation. While courageous
and independent Republican Repre-
sentatives and Senators were saving
the administrations essential prep
arations for war from legislative de-
feat, Mr.. Kelland was tossing as
sorted sizes of monkey wrenches
into the machine.
Now he Is out pleading for poll
tics and more politics. He does not
say critieism-which must be con-
slant and alert in a democracy IN
war as in peece-but politics"
Kelland Is Directing Genius.
This is-as I said before-not my
appraisal of Mr.. Kelland, but the
appraisal Of one of the great Re-
publican newspapers Of this country.
The directing genius Of the present
assault upon the administration and
its war efforts is Mr.. Kelland. Ger
tainly if Mr.. Kelland used a quota
ton on January 8 and Mr.. Martin
used the same quotation on January
II, it is very safe to assume that Mr..
Kelland is the directing genius of
this assault, that Mr.. Martin Is
merely reiterating the statement of
Mr.. Kelland and that other Repub-
lican politicians are following their
lead.
1t is a source Of great regret to
me that Republicans have started
the injection of partisan politics
into our present situation. Obvi-
ously, the Democratic party cannot
remain quiescent while the other
fellows are bending their energies
ITO elect Republican representatives
to the House and Senate. Our feel
ing, or at least my feeling as chair
man of the national organization, Is
that this crisis having occurred dur
ing Democratic administration.
the responsibility is ours to direct
the carrying on Of this war to an
ultimatesand conptete victory. Our
loyalty IL this direction is not hm-
tied to allegiance to our party. 1t is
our duty to our country.
~ Akl stAaiat no misfortune
except 4 ND j6f n1ffitary defeat could
befall this country to the extent in
volved in the election of Congress
hostile to the President. I do not
mean by this that the Republican
candidates for congressional seats
have any lack of patriotism, but ]
think we will all agree that vast
combustion would inevitably result
If we had a President of one party
and a House Of representatives
for example, of the opposition party
while we are carrying on the worst
war in our history. This is an i'm
portant factor, also, in the negoti-
alton of final peace. We have not
forgotten the obstacles thrown in
the path of President Wilson after
the First World War, and the ulti-
mate victims were the people.
Would Postpone Campaign.
I anticipate no such result, OF
course, in the congressional elec-
tions next November. Our people are
too united for anything of that sort
to happen, even though G. o. p
leadership may take the contrary
view. But let us leave the issues
to be settled in the congressional
races until those races are near al
hand. There will be a campaign
period in which all phases of this
matter can be discussed and during
which the American people can
examine the record in the light OF
pre-war opposition and opposition
since the declaration of war. Let us
consider this present outburst oi
political oratory in the light of it,
effect upon our enemies.
What can more encourage anc
hearten the Nazis and the Jap.
anese than constant attempts Il
discredit and repudiate the Presi.
dent of the United States at this