Evening star., 1945-09-27
rumon Held Songuine
On IsoIutionist Trend
He Must Show Nation Need OF
Sacrifices, Says Observer
By Dapid Laurence

BY Dapid Laurence
President Truman certainly took the
optimistic view Of the mood of the
American people when he told the cor
respondents that he didn't think an
isolationist trend was coming. But per-
haps it Is wise that Mr.. Truman should
do this because he alone can turn the
thoughts of the American people away
from self-centered considerations to the
sacrifices that must be made in order
to make our international policies more
effective.
The President more than any one else
at this moment has the responsibility
for expression of the aims and objec-
tives OF American foreign policy. The
discouragements reported In the press
dispatches from abroad, especially In
relation to the meetings of the Council
Of Five and the conflicts of view be-
tween Russia and the United States or
between Great Britain and ourselves
are not surprising.
These meetings cannot yield satis-
factory settlements overnight and there
must be patient evolution toward
agreement. But the American diplo-
mats abroad would have their hands
strengthened If American public opin-
ION were revealed to be alertly interested
and anxious to see that the principles
and ideals for which the war was fought
are not being abandoned or compro-
missed.
Disquieting Moves,
Within the last few weeks the mani
festations of isolationism in the Con-
gress have been disquieting. Congress
mas demanded the demobilization of
the Army and Navy and Air Forces
more quickly than the military men
have thought wise.
Letters to members of Congress and
editorial comments from various parts
OF the country either forced the hand
OF the legislators or Influenced them to
go beyond national sentiment. 1t is
not easy to measure public opinion be-
cause it fluctuates considerably from
period to period but it is a safe assump-
ton that any effort to maintain a
standing army to enforce our diplo-
matte policies in Europe or the Far
East Is doomed to defeat in both houses
II 1t involves any conscription plan for
| peacetime. Congress is anxious to end
the draft as soon as possible and the
emphasis now is on the volunteer sys-
tenn, which may not prove adequate.
| Universal military service however
has not been abandoned in Russia and
the rehabilitation of our armed serv.
Ices will in few months leave Russia
With the strongest force under arms in
the world. All proposals for universal
military service in the United States have
been shelved for the time being.
If President Truman were to attempt
to turn the tide from isolationism to
internationalism, he would have to
champion aggressively the cause of a
larger military force and the retention
OF large postwar Navy and air force.
Ihere have been no indications as to
what Congress will do If the President
not only makes an active fight for such
legislation but If he begins a speaking
campaign to get the Nation behind such
a program.
Leadership Essential
Leadership by Mr.. Truman is going
to be more than ever essential if the
country is not to face the situation 1t
did In 1920 and any repetition of that
mood would, as the President says, b
ruinous to our welfare.
1t Is heartening to have Mr.. Truman
recognize the error of the American
trend in 1920 and to use his powerful
position to prevent history from repeat
ing itself. The President has ahead of
him some important negotiations with
Congress to get the proper-sized force
authorized for the use of the United
Nations.
Unless a strong public sentiment ia
QUILT which recognizes that the United
States must have large military forcs
TO perform fully its responsibilities in
the international scene and especially
TO support our diplomatic detectives. the
value of the United Nations Charter
will be lessened.
II the mood of the country is no,
going to be isolationist, the votes O,
members of Congress for stronger mill.
tary programs than now envisaeed
would seem to be necessary and ther,
must be turning away from the ten.
oency OF recent weeks to demobilize OIL,
armed forces without giving thought tc
the future needs of foreign policy.
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