Evening star., 1944-08-18
Dewey Foreign Policy
Critics Seen in Error
Allies Postwar Aims Should
Be Made Public, Says Writer
BY David Laurence Q

be Made Public, Says Writer
BY Dapid Laurence
Gov. Dewey's statement on foreign
policy has occasioned q good deal of
discussion in oficial Washington and
1t is natural for the Democrats to try
to read into it some political or partisan
purpose.
Secretary Hull, on the other hand, was
quick to say that he would welcome
conferences with Gov. Dewey a. he has
with other prominent Republicans.
The Republican nominee, to be sure,
has a. much right as President Roose-
velt or any other citizen to discuss
publicly our responsibilities In world
Affairs. and 1t is 4 mistake for Demo-
Gratis here in Washington to criticize
Mr.. Dewey for having spoken at this
time.
The truth Of the matter Is that only
q portion OF what the United States
Government has agreed on secretly with
other governments concerning the pro-
posed general international organiza-
ton has ever been made public.
And yet conference is being held,
beginning Monday, to discuss an Amer
tcan memorandum which has been seen
by small number of persons in Official
life, including Republican senators and
members of the House 1t would be far
better If this document could be given
to the American people in advance OF
next Mondays meeting, because 1t is
eminently desirable that American pub.
lie opinion exercise its maximum in
1uence before the forthcoming meet
ing makes binding agreements.
No Reason for Variance.
There is no reason to suppose that
Gov. Dewey will be found at variance
with Secretary Hull, and it may we'll be
that the Republican nominee is utiliz-
ing this opportunity to remove doubts
from the minds of those independent
voters who have thought him likely to
take the isolationist position in respect
to foreign policy. BY associating him
self publicly. with a discussion OF the
most pressing subject of the moment
namely. the formation of a general in
ternational organization to preserve
peace-Gov Dewey steps out from his
role Of New York Governor and takes
his position as the Republican nominee
Tor the presidency-the leader Of
major party.
II, as seems likely, Mr.. Dewey will
agree with the views of Mr.. Hull, then
1t will be dificult for the Democrats to
persuade independent Republicans that
Mr.. Roosevelt's continuance in ONCE is
absolutely essential in order to make
the peace"
There is very little difference thus far
between what is believed to be the
Roosevelt-Hull view and the Dewey
view as to the general international or
ganization. Whatever difference there
is concerns the transition" period after
the war. Neither the Republican nom.
inee nor the Democratic nominee has
indicated Just how long this TRANSITION"
period must be, but it is plain that both
sides are doing a bit of jockeyine on
this point.
unfortunately, the American people
nave been misled during the last sev.
eral months by continuous Cow OF ar
gument from high places to the effect
that transition" period Is absolutely
essential and that, during the "transi-
uon' period, Great Britain, Russia
China and the United States must
maintain the peace.
Unrealistic Statement
This Is an unrealistic statement, be-
cause everybody knows that immedi-
ately after the armistice, q military
agreement can be made for occupation
OF enemy countries and that this mill
tary occupation in no way requires a
political alliance or postponement of
the operations Of the general interna-
tional organization.
After the last war the peace treaty
provided for occupation of all German
territory and the League Of Nations
Covenant went into effect promptly Just
the same. That wasn't the reason for
the rise of Hitler, which came In 49,
Is years after the armistice.
The theory that Germany and japan
will have to be watched carefully In the
first three to five years after the war
to prevent their return to aggression
based upon an erroneous conception
OF what is going to happen at the end
OF the present war. If both Germany
ana Japan are rendered powerless to
renew the attack, it will be years or
more before they will be capable o:
aggression again. After the last war.
the German Army was demobilized and
ner navy was scuttled, and for is years
she was no military threat to anybody.
Americas failure to participate in
the League Of Nations caused q return
to power politics in Europe. Both Eng
land and France, moreover, were 40
hurdened financially by the war that
their peoples failed to tax themselves
Icr new armament and their statesmen
neglected to exhibit the alertness neces.
sary to observe what was happening In
Germany beginning in 1888.
Mr.. Dewey may be proved right II
the scheme that comes out of next
weeks conference provides for q mill.
tary domination in the so-called tran
sition" period which could. easily be.
come the basis Of power politics.
It is, therefore, necessary for the
State Department to make clear the
American position on this point, and it
Is hoped that the administration will
ccnfne the transition" period to a
military nRNAANNAnt $ka< L.