The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-14

The Arabian OIL plot " not an
isolated scheme nor is II merely a
pipeline for the supply OF oil for
our armed forces. nor is II strictly
an attempt OF the Administration
to establish an oil iva. nor IS II
a matter OF military necessity. II Is
perhaps some what OF all OF these
and vet no one cause. excuse or ar
gument explains that curious in
trigue which started with the silent
and secret wanderings through des-
ert and oasis OF the delightful Gen
era Pat Hurley. Secretary Of War
in Herbert Hoover's cabinet and
now an Americanized Lawrence Of
Arabia who arranges destiny after
the fashion OF Harun-Al-Rashid
whose munificence vas known in
all the lands and seas OF his day.
/ The real point OF the matter Is
thai American gold is setting up
powerful Arab family in the Arab
an desert, providing Ibn-Saud with
funds out OF the L. $. Treasury. to
be fought over when the old chief
tain dies by his many sons of many
wives in true Arab fashion. There is
nothing in this OF four freedoms or
any freedoms nor OF collective Sc
uurity under the Atlantic Charter
nor even loyalty 10 our ally, Great
Britain or regard for American
treaty obligations toward recognl-
ton OF a Jewish Palestine. II is a
deal consummated in the blind al
leys OF an Arabian night which
takes this country straight mo me
kind OF power politics that used to
he called dollar diplomacy and
gained for us the opprobrious nick
name Gringo. in the countries
where it was practiced. In Arabia.
We are buying trouble with gold
and paying through the nose.
And in this matter appears new
pattern OF policy. II the government
OF the United states is to finance
weak and decaying states. accept
ing as compensation an American
government. owned economic actlV-
ity within that country, then this
country must be prepared for con
stantly expanding Imperialism, &C
companied by wars and civil wars
and particularly by the use OF AM
erican armed forces for the sup
preston OF uprisings on the part OF
oppressed peoples against the tyran-
ny OF our native partners. This pat
tern of imperialism is not new in
the world but il has not been prac-
ticed. except in isolated instances
in Mexico and Central America. by
this country. And the American peo-
| pie never liked it, II pursued slob-
ally. its effects upon the United
States cannot but lead TO political
| and economic disaster and whereas
it may at this particular historical
moment provide adventure and even
| fun for the soldiers OF fortune who
traverse the world in army uni
forms. their pockets filled with pub
lie gold it ultimately will make us
hated abroad and contentious at
home. II is the good neighbor poll
cy in reverse.
For instance. who Is 10 police the
pipeline in Araby-this American
government-owned pipeline. sym.
! Dol OF our national honor and dig
nityH II Standard Oil installation
in China Is blown up in civil war,
that is private matter between
the company and the Chinese gov
eminent for damages. The state
/ Department may or may not inter
yene depending upon circumstance
and policy. We do not send an
army TO protect that tank. although
we did maintain a fleet OF gun
boats on the Yangtze to protect
American life and property gener-
ally. The point is that the tank in,
let us say. PootunS. is private
property and no national honor Is
| involved in Its destruction.
The AFOREMENTIONED pipelin7
and aforementioned installations
and refineries which are bound Ia
follow as practical matter. are
part OF the government OF the init
ed States as much a part as a
hsttleship or an embassy or tho
White House itself. Are We 10 main
tain permanently an American
armed force in Arabia to protect