The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-01-06
WNU Service, Union Trust Building,
Washington, D. c.

That question was put to President
Roosevelt at the White House press
and radio conference on the day OF
his return to Washington from Eu-
rope. He was tanned. alert, cheer
full, still pulsing with the conscious
ness Of achievement. His answer,
which came without seconds hest
tation, thought. was significant.
Stain, he said. was realist. just
like himself.
I am not particularly interested IN
the accuracy OF that answer. either
as an analysis of Stain or SELF
analysis Of the President. But to me
the fact that the President chose
realism as the outstanding and COM
mon characteristic OF himself and
the man on whose word and deed
SO much OF the future depends, was,
| think, significant.
On the whole, in the light OF later
announcements, use OF that term
seems a good omen rather than a
bad one.
Mr.. Roosevelt is committed to a
plan for the postwar world which
leans toward the ideal, rather than
toward the old style diplomatic
realism" which is nothing but tooth
and-claw tactics behind Numbered
facade OF protocol. ! think the
American people have shown plainly
that they are more interested IN
stopping-or at least postponing-
wars than they are in the slogans OF
the isolationists or the imperialists.
Granted that, the fact that Roose-
Welt emphasizes the srealist' side
when he speaks, gives one feeling
that he and Stain and Churchill
have been able to reach some rough
agreements that are practlcal
enough to work, and yet are little
less earthly than the old power ALI
ances, which always end in wars
hnd always will.
The Conference
recall very we'll that crowded
news conference for which friene
and foe alike turned out to see WhaE
the President looked like after hi!
trip. One hundred and seventy-nint
working press and radio correspond
ents we're there, not counting OH
| Gals. The innocent expected som'
hot, inside stuff; the cynical hopet
| the President would reveal error
by concealing them; the average re
porter knew it was going to be
good story one way or the other
Everyone was satisfied. Those VIII
yearned for the dramatic got tn
/ story OF the German plot Whic
1 didn't come off. Those who Wer
1 looking for trouble were gratifie
that he revealed no new concrete dc
velopments. The objective reporte
got his quota of news, for everythin
a President says is that.
| But the two remarks of the Pres
dent stood out insmy mind-the on
/ mentioned (realism) and another
4 made almost as soon as the last
i us had squeezed into the crowde
oval office, and they were, believ
most revealing as far as our futul
]. foreign policy goes.
Those in the first row had time
take in the Presidents cheerful ar
informal appearance-the colore
shirt and the pull-over sweat'
which he had worn on his trip-ar
which, because OF one meeting *
lowing another from the moment
arrived at the White House, he st
wore. He had been on the job sin'
$50 q. MT was then after four.
AS soon as the signal that Il
! last reporter was in the room vi
given, the President began to spe'
! OF the success OF the trip, and
!. :. said that those who shared with hi
: in the hopes of a durable peace &
. referred to Russia, Britain, Chin
: were motivated by the determin
ton that there would not Be, anoth
war while this generation lives.
: / must admit that the words
!: l,st struck me little coldly
: while this generation lives" \
> much long-range optimism there
= thought. But afterward and sin
: ) his later announcements, genel
: though they have been, ! feel a
tie better about it. 1t seems to |
E that perhaps we are at last e
II barked upon an adventure in int
! national cooperation with enou
: idealism to keep our eyes on
% heavens and enough realism to Ike