The Wilmington morning star., 1944-11-12
Lesson For Lsolationists
BY ARTHUR KROCK

BY ARTHUR KROCK
WASHINGTON. - One important impression
of the election results is widespread here:
that Congress will heed the fate of the isola-
tonists in all parts of the country, and that
the Senate, which is the Executives partner
in international matters will particularly note
what happened to them
To many observers it seems that the Ameri-
can electorate delivered very clear message
to this quarter, however much other aspects
o. its decisions may be analysed and disput 3D.
This message, according to the Interpretation
generally heard in Washington, is that res.
ervations" proposed to peace treaties or tLe
world security compact, which appear to be
offered for destructive purpose, will Involve
great risk of public reprisals at subsequent
polls.
The defeats administered Tuesday to num-
Der of members of Congress, and the narrow
corner in which another found himself as late
as this afternoon, are being accepted here as
specific and intentional punishment for stub
born isolationist records. Little OF no dispute
is heard of the statement that Representa-
Fish, Day, Wolfedenn and Mas were retired
for this reason, and that the same analysis.
applies to Senator Nye and correctly explains
why Senators Davis and McCarrar may lose
their seats when the final counts are nad.
The corollary statement-that the Republican
Harbor. was an insurmountable burden 1or
Mr. Dewey and was somewhat responsible for
the size of the majorities polled by legislators
like Senator Wagner and for the close squeak
OF Senator Taft-is also accepted in Washin,
ton.
These conclusions are certain to have gre II
ano beneficial effect on the mood with which
Congress. especially the Senate, will approach
the peace settlements and postwar security
est bill Shnoe There ap nj
known and unsettled details, and the Congress
siona' mood as we'll as that of the public could
De altered unfavorably by executive proposals
to solve them which would engender honest
doubt, disbelief or even resistance in Con-
gress. Also the manner in which the Presi-
dent will deal with the next material legisla-
ture will have a bearing, good or bad, On
the results. If he should employ certain tao
tics of the past, much of the benefit of Tues
days election in this respect could be dis
sipated.
But as matters stand there is small pros
pect that the next Senate will repeat he de-
syucive measures by which he League of
Nations Covenant was destroyed in 1919. Some
compromises on detail will perhaps be neces-
sary to a finished and effective product, anl,
assuming that the President will not decline
to make reasonable ones-as Woodrow Wleon
is accused OF doing by numerous historians
it should be possible to get an agreement
Or these without injury to the great objec-
tive
The important differences of opinion in Coll-
gress are threefold ID The President and Mr.
Dewey, during the recent campaign both en-
dorsed the establishment of a world security
League as soon as the United Nations could
agree on its structure, whether o: not peace
settlements had previously been reached.
Some senators are hesitant on this, but most
of them are open to good arguments in its
favor. CD Soviet Russia has insisted that all
the permanent members of the proposed Elk
ecutive Council of the new league shall vote
on all questions before the body including
charges of aggression against one OF these
permanent members. There is strong official
and popular opposition to this in the United
States, but what will be this Government
final attitude is no yet known. 90 Finally.
there is difference of opinion whether neg.
alive vote by one of the permanent members
Of the Council shall automatically erase
proposal from the calendar
These are grave and difficult questions and
the utmost tact and cooperation will be re-
CURED for their solution. That tact and CO.
operatlo will be called for from the President
ard Congress, in forming out domestic front
on the issues. and from the President and
the other heads of the United Nations Wnen
the time comes to settle them internationally,
But, as consequence of the fate of certain
Congressional candidates 1 Tuesday, The
settlement seems accurate that never before
III this country's history has there been fairer
political weather for our effective adherence
to a world order that will work. Among the
other impressive demonstrations Of last Tues
day was the close vote between the President
and Mr.. Dewey in Wisconsin and the Replb-
llcan loss Of Minnesota, whose junior senator
chose the Democrats as more likely to carry
through a strong internationalst program.
There will be changes in the chanmanships
OF committees of the Senate, where committee
chalrmen are very powerful in shaping, fil1
thering or obstructing legislation But in every
instance the gain will be for the Administra
TORS foreign program. Smith of South CAY
DINA, Clark of Missouri and Reynolds of North
Carolina will be gone, and McCarran may De
Lucas, Wagner, Thomas of Utah and Barley
have all been returned. Connally remains ct
the head of the Foreign Relations and Nc
Kellar will continue to act as chairman of
Appropriations during the illness of Carter
Glass.
Only man-made plumbers at home, OF those
OF our Allies. can mar this prospect.-New
York Times.
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