Evening star., 1944-11-01
Byrnes' Political Talk
Criticized by Writer

Nriticlzeo by writer
War Mobilization Chief Seen
Breaking Rules of Propriety
By Dauid Laurence
What will happen Immediately after
the election If Gov. Dewey ia trium-
phant at the polls?
Actually, II Mr.. Dewey Is elected, the
same patriotism that President Roose-
welt praised as prevalent among Re-
publican businessmen who have coms
to Washington to help in the war effort
would actuate him, too, and he would
sit down with the New York Governor
and work out during the three months
of transition q program which would
mean no loss of momentum in the
operation of the war.
There is every reason why Mr. Roose-
welt would give to Gov. Dewey the
benefit of all the. facts concerning
foreign affairs that he has obtained
in his oficial capacity. That knowledge,
of course, was bought and paid for by
the people Of the United States who
have paid a salary of $4,000 year
to Mr.. Roosevelt while in office.
This Is not personal information but
official information, and since Gov.
Dewey is the type of man who gets
along well with other people and does
not allow pride to interfere with ad-
vice from anybody who is competent to
give it, the Republican nominee may be
expected If elected, to accept from
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull
as we'll as other high officials of this
administration whatever information on
diplomatic relations with our Allies may
be in their possession that would assist
America In bringing the war to an early
conclusion.
Gen. Marshall and Admiral King and
Gen. Arnold and Admiral Leahy, of
course, would cooperate 100 per cent
future as in the past. Every single
major military policy has been recon-
mended by them.
The Byrnes Argument.
The argument made by former Justice
Byfnes, now director of war mobiliza-
ton, that the change at this time would
be hazardous because the new Presi-
dent does not have the acquaintance
of Prime Minister Churchill, Marshal
Stain or Generalissimo Chang Kali
shek is a very weak one Followed to
its logical conclusion, it means that
President Roosevelt must be elected not
only for a fourth but a fifth term in
order to match Marshal Stain, who, Of
course, holds office for life.
AS a matter of fact, Mr.. Stain Is
said by recent visitors to Moscow to
have a great admiration for the busi-
ness and economic leaders of the United
States, and 1t would not be surprising
If he felt he could do business with the
Republican party in power because 1t
has the wholehearted support of the
majority of Americas industrial and
business leaders.
AS for Chang Kai-shek 1t Is evident
that Mr. Roosevelt Is not getting along
too well with the head of the Chinese
government, and 1t may be that a new
approach by a new administration which
does not inherit the broken promises
Of the present administration, espe-
cially in relation to Chang Kai-shek,
may be able to achieve more towards
getting Chinese cooperation than the
present administration has accom-
plished. There Is still good deal of
information which has not been given
to the American people as to the
promises of aid not fulfilled by the
Roosevelt administration to China,
which in turn discouraged Chang Kali
shek in his efforts to ward of the
japanese invasion this year.
As for Mr.. Churchill, there is no
doubt but that he would prefer to do
business with Mr.. Roosevelt, who has
been perhaps the most generous friend
in leasing or lending American resources
that Britain has ever had. 1t would
be much better, however, If some one
dealt with Great Britain on a business
rather than a sentimental basis be-
cause in the long run that is the way
to avoid anti-British feeling In the
United States.
House Cleaning.
If Mr.. Dewey is elected, he would
come to Washington at once to confer
with high ofncials of the administra-
| ton. He would undoubtedly announces
that the heads of the War and Navy
| Departments and State Department
would be retained indefinitely, as we'll
as the heads of important war agencies.
The house cleaning to which he has
referred in his campaign undoubtedly
means getting rid of those New Dealers
who have been trying to exploit the
war effort here to their own purposes.
Mr.. Byrnes in his speech on Monday
night endeavored to give the impression
that change in administrations would
prolong the war-a charge that is far
worse than Gov. Dewey's charge that
the Roosevelt regime would attempt to
keep men in the Army because 1t would
not have Jobs for them.
Mr.. Byrnes also said
when the President asked me to
become director of economic stabiliza-
ton and later director of war mobiliza-
ton I considered myself drafted not
for a political ofice but for war
job"
But Mr.. Byrnes' speech was political
speech. 1t is always a mistake for
men who occupy positions that are
nonpartisan, especially those related to
the conduct Of the war N snook nn