Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-05-20
Bad Poker

THE proposed Ball Hatch BurtonHi resolution, pur-
porting to give the President directive to put the
United States into postwar International organization
represents curious departure from American eonsttu-
uonal procedure
1t seems to us a mistake to judge the proposed
luton according to whether you like international or
national theological merchandise.
The resolution possesses a far graver defect
BY committing the Senate in advance to course of
procedure. uncertain and rapidly changing world,
it would deprive the United States of the protection of
potential by the Senate of any crackpo dangerous
postwar scheme.
A LREADY the United States without knowing all the
a facts which will be laid on the conference table at
peace meeting has been unduy committed by will o the
wsp ideasms gby expressed by members OF the eXecu-
tive department
But the American people and foreign governments
have been that such vaporngs would be without
binding force on the United States unless treaty,
bodyng such principles ratified by of
two thirds of members of the SeRater-
This divided constitutional authority in foreign affairs
gives the public protection against the hazard of visionary
and ill-consdered schemes
AS long as the constitutional system prevails in which
the President takes the initiative in foreign affairs and
the Senate retains veto power, the public has two
barreled protection against involvement in fancful
schemes.
Thus under existing circumstances Americas post
foreign policy remains somewhat fluid and flexible,
and long that, condition prevails our government
will have reasonable bargaining power at the peace
conference.
MOT wanting any selfish territorial gains people
' want nothing than peaceful and well ordered
world
AS long as the United States is not fully committed
it will have power negotiate against unsound pro-
posals of other governments.
But the Ball resolution designed to end this happy
status and commit the Senate well the executive
department 10 rigid postwar pattern.
If the Senate naive as TO pass the resolution,
il would be sufrenderng only its power but also
the bargaining influence of the United States government
at the peace conference
In such circumstances the initiative would inevitably
pass to the uncommted powers who still retained free
dom TO agltate for their national interests.
in light of the recent breaking of diplomatic relations
between Soviet Russia and the Polish government n-exie
ought not retain some freedom TO Judge the wisdom
OF future RussanPosh settlements and whether wish
10 undeWrite them
Likewise in view Of Prime Minister Winston Church
Ills candid statement that ne office for the
purpose Of presiding the liquidation OF the British
Empire ought not 20 retain some discretion
whether we wish TO guarantee new postwar imperialism?
WHETHER we intend to take the inenauonalist
w route the traditional American route we can
strengthen prestige and capacity attain
ends by retaining some freedom Judge the realities
when they are presented 20 US.
Yet the Ball idea is TO get the Senate to commit
the United States willy nly Join postwar organza-
ton Of the United Nations TO keep the peace the post
war world. ~ ~. 49,
The present issue is one Of procedure lN
The American way u 10 permit the President TO take
the initiative IN foreign affairs subject TO the approval Of
the Senate
The Bal resolution would tic the hands Of the United
States and put into straitlacket before anayze
the realities of the postwar situation they
welfare Of the people Of the United States.
In international poker the fellow who exposes his
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