Evening star., 1943-07-23
Wilkes Ideals
Are Appreciated
To the Editor Of The Star:

ASAASSA ~
In the last presidential election
Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Wendell
Willkie and the latter at once visited
the victor and congratulated him hearth
ly. Further, though belonging to the
opposing party, Mr. Willkie fully agreed
with the line being taken by Mr. Roose-
velt at that time and volunteered his
services In any capacity in which he
might be useful.
That evidence of fine spirit made a
| good impression across the Atlantic, and
| marked Mr.. Willkie as a discerning per-
son, who, like Mr.. Roosevelt himself, real
lied that the two great English-speaking
nations were bound to work together,
not only for their mutual interest but
for the preservation of the liberty which
they and other nations prize so highly.
President Roosevelt wisely sent Mr..
Willkie to London as his special repre-
sentative to convey his sympathy to the
British and to confirm the promise that
they could count on all possible assist
ance from the United States of America.
Mr.. Willkie had splendid reception in
England, and saw all that was to be seen
Of the fierce efforts being made to pre-
pare for the worst. And what he said to
the British themselves and what he said
Of them when he returned home was
helpful beyond words. His visit en-
couraged us enormously, and the assur-
ance of support from America indicated
to those convinced that the British
Empire was down and out-that its fall
was not SO imminent as supposed.
From Mr.. Wilkes book, "One
World" now the best seller in America,
1t is obvious that he is an idealist
and pictures a future that many would
wish to see but which will not be easy
to realize. Woodrow Wilson did the
same, but circumstances were inexorably
against him, and the League never pros
pered, not because his thoughts for
better world were at fault, but because
of the blindness Of the statesmen who
ditions which might have made the
covenant workable. But Mr.. Willkie
also is realist, and one of the best
parts of his book is his brilliant presenta-
ton Of what he saw at Yakutsk, illus
trating what could be done in the back
woods of Siberia by faithful worker
who knew what was wanted and did it
with his whole heart. The develop
ments described are a splendid tribute
to Stalin and all who discern the
miracle that he has wrought must see
that that great man has created a new
Russia, not only as military power but
as nation seeking to establish itself as
q modern utilitarian state.
Much more could be said OF Mr. Will
kies powers of observation and OF his
pertinacity in learning the truth about
the methods Of various governments and
the motives which animate their rulers.
He is emphatic in declaring what his
own country should be doing now in
preparation for developments bound to
come, and he is one OF those who wish
other countries would put their cards on
the table and pledge themselves to CO.
operate, so that the stricken and op-
| pressed nations may arise and be given
fresh start. Like many other Ameri-
| cans-and many Europeans-he thinks
| there Is much room for improvement in
the attitude of Europe in many respects,
and, incidentally, he does not approve
Of the system of colonies BY mention
ing, after his return from England, that
the British would have to do without
colonies in the future, he drew from Mr..
Churchill the classic rejoinder that made
all the lions In Trafalgar Square stiffen
| their tails.
But in his book he returns to the sub
ject and urges "a system for helping
colonial peoples who join the United
Nations to become free and independent
nations" One absolves him of any
| desire to interfere with the dominions
which already have independence, but
the implication is that those still con-
trolled from London are entitled to re-
lease, and that I'VE must establish from
clad guarantees, administered by all the
| United Nations jointly" that those re-
| lieved of their trammels shall not slip
| back into colonial status"
OF course, there are colonies that in
| the past have been exploited by some Of
the European powers. The whole sys-
| tenn Of colonies, indeed. is based on the
| enterprise of traders of the more ad-
| vanced countries who established them
selves in areas of Asia and Africa where
the local inhabitants we're glad enough
| to deal with foreign traders but were so
unsophisticated that they soon found
themselves governed by their visitors,
sometimes for their positive benefit, in
being protected and placed under the
rule of law, and sometimes to their
| great disadvantage, when the intruders
were cruel and unscrupulous and had no
object save exploitation or aggrandise-
ment. But as the process of colonial
tion developed and proved profitable, 1t
became obvious, especially to the British.
that the better the administration, the
more valuable >the colony. financially.
commercially and politically If the peo-
pie we're prosperous and content all was
we'll, especially for the natives, who, un-
der decent government, were far better
off than they ever had been before. 1t is
only when the inhabitants became po-
litically conscious that they began to
aspire to independence. The problem of
the United Nations, when they control
the world. will be to know when an as
| pirant Is qualified for self-government.
and when it would be better for its peo-
| y,1e fo ,1pHeroo cro11 of f,,fa