The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-04-26
BY JAMES r. YOUNG

Author Of Behind the Fising Sun"
!, AS senator, President Truman
headed the special committee TO
Investigate the national defense
program, and performed one Of
the outstanding jobs OF the war.
The befogged atmosphere in which
the House and Senate committees
on foreign affairs operates should
| give Mr.. Truman the opportunity
TO form another special committee,
this time on Far Eastern foreign af-
fairs, which could be OF immense
help in Strengthening out the mud
die which faces America in the
Orient. AS things stand now in
Vulnerable situations in the Far
East are so hopelessly tangled that
the present diplomatic setup might
never straighten them out.
This committee. comprised OF
men who have extensive irsthand
knowledge OF the Orient. could
give the benefit OF their years OF
experience TO our Far Eastern de-
partment. and could expose the
pitfalls of Oriental affairs to such
gatherings as the San Francisco
| conference and the gatherings
which will undoubtedly be held
soon In Honolulu and Manila. The
record shows that their help is
sadly needed
In the Department OF State and
on the legislative committees deal
ing with foreign policy the trend
OF events shows that since 1881 of.
| fcialdom lost its liberalism and
fight; the members abandoned
their prerogatives. In the many
crises in the Far East their inter
pretations we're neither illuminat-
ing or impressive. The sad record
OF the Hull-Connally-Bloom setup
was one OF appeasement. fence
straddling and the ignoring OF pub
lie opinion.
Those Of US who have fought in
the press and on the radio for an
airing OF foreign affairs have confid-
ence that the President from Mis-.
souri, will reflect his faith In wei
coming discussions and suggestions
from the people.
In recent years our foreign poll
cy was negotiated by the executive
branch special assistants circum-
vented career men in the State De-
partment. Specifically | refer TO
our diplomatic contacts with China.
At one time last autumn special
presidential agents representing
three government departments
we're bringing pressure on General
issimo Chang Kai Shek. Senate
and House foreign relations COM
mitteemen were ignored and the
attitude toward the people was ~
that the negotiations concern n
delicate international matter and
(2) the public would not under
stand the conversations.
propose that President Truman
encourage the creation OF peo-
pies committee to advise on Far
Eastern issues. 1t should be IN
necessary to fear that the diploma
tic future will be bleak and sad. a
prophecy made this week by the
editor OF the Times of India pub
lished at Bombay.
Inertia has rendered our foreign
policy clumsy instrument in the
Far East, geared to rickshaw days
and coal burning passenger boats.
Several officials in the State De
partment have become mere mes
senger boys. Others have failed TO
express themselves lest they en-
danger their advancement in rank.
Those who dared warn of Japan's
plans were shipped to distant ports
to hush their voices. The fault,
which has yet TO be corrected by
Senate and House foreign relations
committees, is in an inefficient de-
partmental organization.
Notwithstanding recent an
nouncements Of a streamlining in
the State Department, the corridors
OF the old building are in a mist OF
secrecy. Foreign service career
men have been lulled with 18th
century protocol. They are timid
They are unresponsiv0 to the re.
quirements for firm programming