The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-04-27
News "a
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TRUSTEE OR OWNERSHIP
OF ISLANDS DEBATED

nave prosperity IN the United States
If the rest of the world is sunk in
depression and poverty" said State
/ Secretary Stettinius to the Chicago
council on foreign relations. He adj
vocated among other things an
American trusteeship for Pacific is
lands. Astt-A>.
The very same night and at al
most the same hour in New York,
the Carnegie peace endowment din
ner heard Admiral King and other
influential speakers say Quoting
precisely from news accounts:
''World security depends upon
American security and world
prosperity depends upon Ameri-
can prosperity"
He advocated that we keep bases
in the Pacific, in line with making
our own security first.
This direct conflict Of viewpoint
was advertised as cleavage in the
"cabinet" between the navy-war de-
partments and state, but behind it
was the new movement running
through the whole government for a
change of front.
Altruism is facing a gradually
opening opposition. The theory that
Il we first save others we may save
ourselves is hitting UP against the
doctrine that if we first save our
selves we can keep others safe.
Bases Back to Allies.
This new theory particularly on
the point Of bases) first developed
In the services many months ago.
The men who went into those is
lands in the Pacific have seen Brit
ish, French and Australian admin
istrators move in to take civilian
control as soon. as the firing ceased,
or in some cases the civilian admin
istrators actually went in with the
troops and exercised civilian control.
Airports our men conquered, and
SO vital to the future security Of the
world, became the civil property Of
those nations which owned them be-
for the war.
A check Of the islands in the far
Pacific under army control shows
none outside the Philippines definite
ly established as postwar bases for
us. We still have use Of them for
military operations, but the prop
erty of our Allies remains theirs.
They have given us nothing. These
islands are of little value econom-
ically, so there is no particular rea-
son why any nation should covet
them, except as bases.
New Guinea has officially been
placed under Australian and
Dutch administrators. Bougain-
vile has been taken over by the
Australians (whO incidentally
n1urmured In the press against
doing il on the ground that the
Japs held it so long they had
created civilian difficulties.)
In the navy area of the central
Pacific, the British administration is
supposed to have gone back in most
places but the navy refuses strange
ly enough to give out the facts Of
the situation, saying: 'We cannot
speak for the British" (Whatever
that means.)
Mandates Embarrassing.
The service people who have
fought through these campaigns
know these situations. Although they
are not generally known or observed
by our public, from such begin
nings, I think, has sprung the posi-
ton which Admiral King is now
openly pressing.
If a vote were taken upon Stet-
tinius or King I'm the senate to-
day, King would win overwhelm-
ingly, at least upon the single
issue Of whether we should own
those bases which are essential
to our postwar cause Of
peaceful world. A superficial
canvass shows little sympathy
for mandates or 'trusteeships,"
which might prove insecure or
embarrassing.
Even Foreign Relations Chairman
Connally, an administration man,
thinks we should have New Caledonia
which was French. However, he has
not gone so far yet as to permit
hearings for the Mcclellan resolution
which would take practically ali the
islands we are conquering, includ-
ing the Japs.
Average senate opinion strikes
firmly to the line that we should
have as many bases as we need for
our own security and thus for world
security. Also as all these nations
all our friends-owe US more
money than they can repay in cash
or goods, it appears bargain for
bases might not be out Of line.
Thus more enlightened and prac-
teal future-visioning theory Of world
peace is fast gaining ground.
Mr.. Morgenthau has done supe-
rior job Of propagandizing congress
on the new world bank and fund.
Some lobbyists, objective In this
matter, appraise it as the best
ever. They say he got the advertis-
ing geniuses of the country to coun-