Evening star., 1943-05-09
Poland
Continued From Page B-1)

aging for the British government. The
isolationist spirit, they say, has made
more progress in the last few months
than ever before. Hence, they are said
to conclude that America will withdraw
into shell after the war, particularly
foreign help.
The reports have had depressing
effect on the British policy-framers.
American diplomats believe that while
there is a possibility that Britain again
will follow an imperialistic policy, the
chances of her doing so would be great
ly removed if she were convinced that
this country was willing to shoulder some
of the responsibilities of the other ma
tions and be an aid in forming a strong
peacetime armed force.
So long as there is feeling that re-
gardless of what the present admins
tration thinks or wants, the people Of
the United States will decide to return
to relative isolation, there is no ques-
ton in the minds of our best diplomats
that both Russia and Britain will at
tempt to build up their strategic fences
after the war.
The practical effect of such policy
will be that both these powerful coun-
tries will expand their territories to such
regions which in the opinion of their
military men will give them the best
conceivable security.
If America withdraWs into her shell
and returns to prewar imperialism, the
old game of jockeying for power and
attempting to establish the future bal
ance of power will inevitably be resumed
Better Chance for Peace.
But, on the other hand, should tho
American people show a real inclina-
ton to share the burden of RESPONSE
bility in keeping the world at peace, the
prospects of a lasting peace all over the
world will be greatly increased. Nobody
here believes that war can be eliminated
forever and that the millennium of the
ideologists will ever become fact as
long as human nature is what it is.
But there is a strong feeling that the
havoc which the war has created might
conceivably keep the world at peace for
more than quarter or half century.
Our diplomats are sufficiently realistic
not to expect the millennium. But they
do believe that an international organ
ization of all nations of the world might
give the tired humanity .~ breathing spell
to put its house in order again.
The alternative. in the event the
United States Withdraws into its own
shell again, is resurrection of old pas
sions and hatreds with the result that
the played-out countries will enter pc
riod of complete chaos which will be even
worse than the Dark Ages in Europe
At present there are some wishy-
washy resolutions before the Senate's
Foreign Relations Committee They are
supposed to form the basis for legislation
to give the American Government peg
to hang its hat on in its diplomatic deal
ings. No legislation, however, Is likely
to be forthcoming in the near future for
the simple reason that the lawmakers Of
the committee have no definite idea Of
what Americas foreign policy is.
On the other hand, the people of the
OAAAVCd SCoVCo, 4CdIlll6 Vic ld|A Vi
positiveness actually covers hidden land
grabbing ambitions of the Allied govern
ments, are loath to indorse it. AS a re-
suit the Senators who are following the
temper Of the country can make no
progress toward giving the administra-
ton the necessary legislation.
This vicious circle, which in the end
might be more damaging than serious
setbacks on the battlefield, can be ended
only by a definite enunciation of policy
on the part of the American Govern
ment.
Responsible quarters feel that the
enunciation must be courageous and dis
regard completely any fear of stepping
on anybodys toes. 1t is bound to be &C
ceptable to all nations if it contains a
formal declaration of what this Nation
stands for and the inevitable pledge that
the United States is willing to share with
her associates the responsibility Of main
tanning peace in the world.