Evening star., 1944-03-30
Objects to Support for Mr.. Hull.


To the Editor of The Star:
I read with somewhat shocked sur
prise your editorial on "The Policy of
Silence" I was surprised especially be-
cause in my short residence here in
Washington had come to the conclu-
sion that your paper was the leader in
sober, levelheaded thinking-and in
forward looking planning, both at home
and internationally.
Certainly an editorial policy support
ing the purposelesS vacillations of our
Secretary of State would seem to con-
tradict the conclusion mentioned above,
and I hope it is only an isolated in
stance.
Russia has made clear her attitude
toward certain questions about which
we Americans are vitality concerned,
since the settlement of them is bound
up with the reasons the American pub
lie, in general, feel that we went to war
for. Britain has taken definite stands
on certain political aspects of the war.
It's high time we did the same.
Mr.. Hulls II points are not specific
afflrmations. They are only general
izattens of the things all of us hope for.
But the difference of opinion arises as
to how these things are to be brought
about. And we want answers. Is Poland
to be thrown to the Russians? Are the
Italians going to be allowed to select
their own form of government, or are
we going to stuff discredited king down
their throats willy-nilly?
We are missing the boat, diplomati-
cally. Not only the American public,
but the subjugated peoples of Europe
are wondering how Uncle Sam stands,
and what sort of deal they can expect
when Germany is crushed Russia is
starting to show them. Diplomatically
as well as militarily she has the initi-
ative and is exercising it,
It's high time we are told by our
leaders what, specifically and concretely,
we are fighting for. The American
people have fought too long for vague
generalization-"th four freedoms
and we are told by Mr.. Churchill that
there will be "revisions" and new in
terpretations" of the Atlantic Charter.
Let's carry the ball ourselves, for once,
ROBERT L. BOYCE, JR.
Sees Government "Confusion"
To the Editor of The Star:
Men speak with conviction when they
are sincere in their beliefs. Today in
the realm of politics the prediction is
freely made that Mr.. Roosevelt will
seek fourth term in the presidency
and there are reasons for predicting a
campaign OF extraordinary interest and
intensity as one issue involved is: Shall
one man or party regiment the Ameri-
can people or shall they govern them
selves through time-tested institutions
OF lf-government?
Justice Robert H. Jackson in an ad-
dress before the Canadian Bar Associa-
ton warned that "the security of
democratic institutions may depend on
keeping struggles for power from
getting out of legal bounds" In Wash
ington there appears to be an invasion
OF the legislative sphere. It increasingly
is evident that we are drifting away
from constitutional government. The
maze of governmental agencies, bu-
reauS, commissions and directives con-
tribute not merely to confusion but
increase the liability of the taxpayers.
Mr.. Roosevelt said al Brooklyn in
November, 1882: "The people in
America demand a reduction in Fed
eral expenditures; it can be accom-
PAAoAiSN Ny ACuCiSll4s GIlC expenditures Oh
existing departments; by abolishing
many useless commissions, bureaus and
functions, and consolidating many
activities of government"
Disturbing too is the fact that the
President has shown impatience in his
relations with the Congress, probably
indicating that the struggle for power
is getting out of legal bounds" Under
our system of government the execu-
tive must cooperate with the legisla-
tive branch, if there is to be action.
The belief already is expressed that
we are experiencing confusion in law
that may easily turn to chaos, if execus
tive lawmaking is not checked What
a farce it will be if, in the midst of
this great war for freedom, democracy
and civilization, third-te Presi-
! dent should impair or be permitted to
impair this last best hope of man
| kind" WALTER /. PRIEST.
Puzzled About War Aims.
| To the Editor of The Star:
An Opjpiop rol1 coD6,,oto1 or,o,r -