Milford chronicle., 1945-01-12
FOREIGN SERVICE NEEDS
YOI Nc PEOPLE
Iiy JAMES ANILLLNM FI'IBEIGHT
Representative from Arkansas

the United Nations grinds slowly
and painfully toward the defeat Of
our Fascist enemies il becomes
daily more urgent that we give our
attention to the problems that will
confront us. both at home and
abroad in the world ahead Surely
We know by this time that after
this war We are going to face a
world quite different from that OF
five years ago. No matter how
much we may have loved the old
world before this war the very fact
that we have had to fight this war
is sufficient proof that something
was basically wrong with that
world.
THE PRINCIPAL WRONG
The principal thing wrong with
our world has been the misunder-
standing and suspicion among the
nations of the world which has
made it possible for the Germans
and Japanese to get started. The
peaCe-loving nations could have
prevented this war if they had UNI
derstOOd their own best interests
and been willing to cooperate with
one another, but ignorance and
suspicion kept them apart The
pressing question for all Cf us is
how may we allay the distrust and
suspicion that has existed and
unite our forces to prevent another
war.
The cOnferees at Dumbart0n
Oaks have reported. 1t is an excel
lent beginning and | sincerely hope
that the proposed organization
may become one of the keys to the
creation of better world. Without
diSparaging in the least the funda-
mental importance of the proposed
organization. we must recognize
! that even when adopted with
strengthening amendments it still
will be only the bare skeleton OF an
organization for the maintenance
of peace. The most difficult job Of
all will be to add flesh and brains
to- that skeleton in order to make
il a living. funCtiOning Organiza-
ton.
In the various programs, but es-
pecially in that of collective secur-
ity the human element. the SnOSt
important of all elements. will chal-
lenge our greatest wisdom. No SyS-
TEN. no organization. CAD be any
better than the men who make it
work. The most urgent job ahead
of us is the supplying of men OF
intelligence. of energy and imagi-
nation. to operate the economic,
and especially the political, ma
chinery OF collective security. To
make this new and complex Sys-
tenn work will require men of the
utmost wisdom. men who are free
from the historical prejudices OF
nationalism and who understand
the nature OF human society.
Public service. for reasons which
go back to the early days OF this
Republic. has. since those early
days, rarely offered TO ambitious
and intelligent young men careers
of real security and honor. Because
of our former policy of political
isolation from the rest of the world
our people have had little interes
in. and even less understanding OF
: international relations. Conse
: quently. the governmental depart
! ments dealing with these matter!
! have long been undcrstaffed anC
relatively neglected. AS a result
there has become prevalent in some
I circles the idea that as a nation w
: are not competent to hold our owl
. in dealing with other nations; tina
they are too smart for us. At tn
same time. as individuals. especial
ly business and professional men
, we admit we are the smartest PEG
pie in the world
PUBLIC SERVICE AVOIDED
The trouble seems to be tina
G although we have plenty OF me
i quite as capable as those of Othc
4 cOr9ltries, these men devote thei
talents to private industry and al
not in the service Of the nation
1t except perhaps in war time. 1t
i therefore of the utmost impOrtanC
a that we find the means to Undue
. into the service of our govern
ment especially in those depar
, mentS concerned with foreign II
vt latiOnS, the most capable yOul
lc men in America. | think We M
j., we'll ask ourselves. why is it tn
We do not attract the best talcl
:" we produce into the service of OF
&c country in peace. as we'll as in wa
s. The root of our trouble lies in II
~ attitude of the citizens OF tn
country toward politics in genera
~ and politicians in particular. Du
ing a hundred years prior to Il
tC first world wal. the people of o.
ic country were so intent upon d
:. velOpinG our natural resources tn
It they practically ignored their go
~. eminent. In the days of the fro
,rt tier, men were largely a law I'm
ys themselves and generally there W
49,, little respect for governmental Il
thOrity. Government was accept
ef as an irritating. but minor. evil a
if was seriously considered or
NJ when it interfered with ecOnOn
. and personal freedom. ThrOug
out this period of development t
lie material things of this life went
'ut the successful spectators and bl
al mess men. who amaSSed gre
- wealth and power and who We
accorded respect and honor by
community. There were few
ry wards for the honest and capaI
an politician. The cynic. of cour
si- will say that there were few ca
able politicians, but if that "
t" true it reflected, as it still refleC
IN the attitude of the electors towt
OF politics.
civ 1t is fashionable in many Giro
:, these days to discuss ways to
-eu prOXe the government service.