Evening star., 1944-04-26

/
on these points, and the only thing
known surely is that the idea orig
mated in the White House, not in
the State Department. The latter
would never voluntarily choose Mr.
Wallace as its representative.
It may be worth while to note
some of the reasons assigned for
the Wallace visit. On the diplo-
matte side, for example, it is said
first, that he is going to explain to
the generalissirno why the arms
munitions and other supplies
promised him at Cairo have not
materialized.
1t seems that at Cairo the Presi-
dent optimistically promised the
generalissimo considerably more
than we could deliver-and the
latter is UNDERSTANDABLE aggrieved
at our failure to redeem our prom
tses. The Wallace job, 1t is said, is
to soothe the generalissimo's ruffled
feelings, allay his disappointment,
persuade him that our intentions in
this matter are of the best; that in
the course of time we will make
good.
1t is further said the Vice Presi-
dent is expected to counteract with
kind words Chinese feeling con-
corning the British reverses in
Burma and India. In addition, he Is
to explain why the Mollntbatten
offensive is behind schedule, along
with various other things.
All Pure Guesswork.
OF course, in the absence of any
statement from the White House, all
this is pure guesswork. Though 1t
is difficult to think what they could
be, Mr.. Wallace may be charged
with mission related to things
very different from these. But if
this Is what he is to do-and such
Is the general belief-then it would
seem that, unless Mr.. Wallace's
personal charm is such as to dis
arm all Chinese criticism (and the
generalissimo is said to be rather
allergic to charm in these matters) j,
then it would appear that these
messages Of reinsurance could be
delivered, at least with equal effect,
by our military and diplomatic au-
thorities in the field.
OF course, the real way to i'm
prove Chinese morale is to give
them what was promised or, at any
rate, more than they have been
getting. 1t is certainly open to
doubt that a Good Will Ambassa-
dor" with a few handsome alibis
and more promises can do a great
deal to help the situation.
Perhaps this Is one reason many
persons have been seeing a political
side to the Wallace mission. Some
suggest that, having determined
again to make Mr.. Wallace his
running mate, the President thinks
that this China trip would be q
fine "buildup."
Others say that. having decided
to ditch Mr.. Wallace, the President
is sending him away in order to
have greater freedom in picking
his successor. Neither of these
notions is supported by any facts
whatever. Both may be-and prob
ably are - without foundation.
Nevertheless, the fact that the
Democratic convention is only
three months off and Mr.. Wallace,
a hundred per cent loyal to MIR.
Roosevelt and Fundamentally for
fourth term, is obviously anxious
not to be ditched, makes it in
o,,;fotoIa that fhoeo for L;,,o o~d
those against him should specu-
late on these lines. To the de-
tached view the sending of Mr..
Wallace on this confidential mis-
sion makes more certain his re-
nomination.
Certainly, it shows that the
personal relations between the
President and Mr.. Wallace are still
close and cordial Under such cir
cumstances the likelihood of Mr..
Roosevelt ditching his exceedingly
loyal Vice President is remote.
There are at least three reasons
for thinking SOD Mr.. Roosevelt
personally is not capable of the
cold-hearted brutality of such an
act; 90 no President has ever
turned down a loyal Vice President
seeking denomination: 80 no really
smart politician thinks there Is
anything to be gained by substitut-
ing Mr.. Rayburn, Senator Truman
or any one else for Mr.. Wallace.
MIR. Roosevelt probably knows
this as well as any one. Accord
ingly, the idea that there is some
subtle political purpose in sending
him out of the country does not
make sense. Probably there Is no
real mystery about it and Mr.. Wal
lace, eager for new experiences
and loving to travel, just wants to
go to China, and the President,
aniably, is cooperating That is as
good an explanation as any.
Anyhow, the State Department is
glad Mr.. Wallace has not been
studying Chinese and, thus, would be
tempted to address the Chinese in