davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1945-11-29
The Political Mill
BY Gould Lincoln

The Pearl Harbor investigation, de-
spite charges by Republicans that DEM
ocrats are seeking to cover up important
facts and the counter charges by Demo-
Gratis that Republicans are engaged in
smear Roosevelt" campaign, is pro-
ducing wealth of historical informa-
ton regarding the steps that finally
forced this country into war through
the Japanese attack of December 7, 194l.
Critics OF the late President Roose-
velt are seeking to write two points
into the congressional hearing. The first
Is that Mr.. Roosevelt was intent on
bringing the United States into the war
through Japanese attack. The second
is that the then Commander in Chief
failed to inaugurate necessary steps
which would have prevented the sue
cess Of the attack which the Japs
launched on Pearl Harbor.
Testimony given so far by high-rank-
ing officers of the Navy and by former
Secretary of State Cordell Hull shows
the late President seeking in every way
to keep the peace, instead Of instigating
Japanese attack. Mr.. Roosevelt was
not convinced, however, the United
States could remain at peace with
Japan. In fact, he and his aides, in
cluding Secretary Hull, believed rela-
tions between the two countries, due
to the aggressive attitude of Japan, were
rapidly going from bad to worse in l94l.
Whether the late President took all
the necessary steps to ward against a
successful attack on Pearl Harbor is
question that is still unfolding. Until
the testimony is all in, including that
Of Admiral Kimmel and Gen. Short, the
commanders at Pearl Harbor who have
borne the blame for the failure to fight
off the Jap attack, the answer will not
be written.
In one matter-strategy and policy
the President appears from, the testi-
mony and from the event to have been
mistaken. That was his insistence on
basing the Pacific Fleet on Pearl Harbor
instead Of taking the advice of Admiral
j. o. Richardson and basing the feet
on the Pacific Coast.
The President, according to the testi-
mony given the investigating committee
by Admiral Richardson, believed that by
keeping the feet at Pearl Harbor, the
Evening star., 1945-11-29
DiSServiCe to Peace Seen
By Maj. George Fielding Eliot

idea. The three powers say that they
ARE of the opinion that at the earliest
practicable date commission should be
set up under the United Nations Organ
ization to prepare recommendation for
submission to the organization" Is that
a challenge to Russia or to any other
power? I can't see 1t.
We are a member of the United
Nations Organization. So is Russia.
So are some fifty other nations
Among the stated purposes Of this
organization, under its Charter, are
ito take effective collective measures
for the prevention and removal of
harmonizing the actions of nations in
the attainment Of these common ends"
What then was the logical means by
which the three powers, having reached
an agreement among themselves, should
seek to obtain the views Of other ma
tions? What else could they have done
except to ask the United Nations Org
anization to take over? And how, in
Heavens name, is this to be construed
as a challenge to Russia?
kx \ +
If, as has been charged, the desire
of the A-B-C powers was actually to
put the Russians in bad light, their
obvious course would be to issue an
immediate invitation for Big Three
atomic conference without making pre-
liminary inquiries, In the hope that
the Russians would refuse. But the
three powers have not done this. They
have, instead, proposed that the United
Nations Organization handle this mat
ter from now on, with Russia Of course,
as fully represented In these discussions
as any Of the A-B-C powers. They ex-
press the hope of finding means ''for the
elimination from national ornaments
Of atomic weapons and of all other
major weapons adaptable to mass de-
struction." Which means, Of course,
elimination Of such weapons from our
own ornaments as well as those Of
every other state.
Again, this just seems common sense
approach to tremendously important
objective. There Is nothing very dra-
matte about It, there are some indica-
tions Of caution, but It Is natural and
logical and In accordance with the
principles adopted By Ill the United
Nations ct San Francisco. Attempts
to read sinister motives into It seem to
me, Ia view Of the terrific character
Of the subject matter Of the deelara-
ton. to Be recklessly irresponsible.
Evening star., 1945-11-29
Coptoin McVuy's Trial

The Navy has acted wisely IN
throwing open to the public the gen.
eral court-martial which will try
Captain Charles B. McVay III on
undisclosed charges growing out Of
the startling and tragic loss OF the
heavy cruiser Indianapolis in the
Philippine Sea on July 80 last. The
public has right to know more OF
the details of this still-unexplained
disaster, which occurred, ironically,
as the Pacific war drew rapidly to a
close and as the Indianapolis was
returning from delivering to Guam
materials for the atomic bomb
dropped week later on Hiroshima.
The charges, not to be released by
the Navy until the opening of the
court at the Washington Navy Yard
next Monday. may. Of themselves,
throw considerable light on the
mystery which has shrouded the
case since the trim warship dived
to her death, carrying with her 1,1s6
men, of whom only 313 survived.
Associated Press accounts two weeks
later. when the Navy Department
announced the sinking. spoke of
double explosion" presumably from
one or two torpedoes fired by Japa-
nese submarine. The Navy Depart
ment never has made an official
statement as to the cause of the
catastrophe, beyond attributing it
to enemy action"
OF more vital interest to the fami-
lies and friends of the ill-fated crew
than the nature of the attack are
such questions as whether the
cruiser should have ventured UNI
escorted in an area where Japanese
submarines reasonably could have
been expected to be operating, why
no distress calls reached the feet,
if, indeed, any went out, and why
five horrible days Of suffering
elapsed for those in the water
before a Navy reconnaissance
plane chanced to discover a group
of exhausted survivors. Certainly
the death toll would have been
greatly reduced II escort ships had
been nearby to lend aid and to radio
for additional help. Some Of these
questions, Of course. involve orders
from higher echelons and may not
be cleared up by trial Of the cap
tain Of the ship. The Navy says
Evening star., 1945-11-29

Gen. Marshall is known to those who
have worked under him as q courteous
man. He has, however, never permitted
any interference on the part of his
subordinates. His hand will be further
strengthened by the bomb his prede-
cessor exploded under the nose Of the
high officials in Washington on Tuesday.
President Truman and Secretary
Byrnes were surprised when they read
the contents Of Gen. Hurley's letter and
his charges against some of the career
men in the State Department. A con-
gressional investigation of Gen. Hurleys
charges seems likely. For there are
stories which, If true, could mean only
that some State Department employees
are downright disloyal.
Secretary Byrnes himself does not
always know what type of men he has in
that over-expanded department. He is
said to have been planning thorough
purge, but other matters which he con-
sidered more important prevented him
from acquainting himself with the de-
partment's lower level" personnel
According to some reports he discov-
cred only this week that former mem
ber OF the staff of the Moscow Daily
News-the English language edition of
the Izvestia-had been placed in the
State Department in a position where
he had access to confidential dispatches.
Mr.. Byrnes is said to have decided to
let him out of the department.
In speech from the floor of the
House yesterday, Representative George
A. Dondero, Republican, of Mich gan
brought out the startling fact that one
OF the six men who had been arrested
last summer by the FBI and charged
with violation of the espionage act
possessed among other documents the
complete order of battle of the Chinese
Army. This is top secret paper known
to few officials of the War and State
Departments.
A complete cleaning up of the State
Department is In the ofing as a result
OF Gen. Hurleys resignation. All those
who have worked Loyalty in that organ
1zation felt crying need for thorough
purge OF minority personnel which was
bringing the department into disrepute.
But no one dared protest loudly about
the conditions. 1t was the bold and
courageous act of the former Ambas-
sador to Chungking that brought the
whole thing to the attention Of the
public. The Hurley bombshell will be
OF substantial aid to Gen. Marshall in
the difncult task he has accepted.
Evening star., 1945-11-29

that its investigation OF the sinking
and of all the circumstances sur
rounding 1t has not been completed.
Whatever the findings and whatever
the ramifications, the Navy's we'll
merited integrity and prestige de-
mand that the fullest possible
disclosure of the facts Of this strange
case be made.
Evening star., 1945-11-29
This Changing World
By Constantine Broyn

The appointment of Gen. George G.
Marshall to succeed Maj. Gen. Patrick
j. Hurley as Ambassador to China is
regarded in diplomatic quarters as being
of utmost political significance.
For several weeks there has been q
well-organized move by American
liberal" newspapers, magazine and
pressure groups inside and outside Con-
gress to change our present policies to-
ward China. The attacks on Gen.
Hurley and 1t. Gen. Albert G. Wede-
meyer, commander of American forces
In China, were aimed at forcing the
administration to withdraw all support
from the Central government and thus
indirectly strengthen the Yenan Com
munists.
Because only half-hearted statements
from the highest quarters were issued
regarding our policies in China, there
was growing impression that President
Truman and Secretary OF State Byrnes
were yielding to the vociferous but
numerically small pressure groups
RumorS were current in Washington and
abroad that this Government had be-
come lukewarm toward an ally which
had remained loyal throughout the
darkest days of the war, and was ready
to discard the Cairo agreement.
Had Gen. Hurley been replaced in
Chungking by some colorless man from
the State Department or from the ranks
OF politicians who desire ambassadorial
posts for the glamour surrounding them,
these rumors would have received fur
ther confirmation.
The appointment of the top-ranking
American general who was chiefly re-
sponsible for the forging of the Allied
victory and enjoys an enormous prestige
throughout the world, is intended to
dispel the whispers that the American
Government is ready to throw General
issimo Chang Kai-shek and the central
government to the wolves.
t4+ =
Those close to President Truman are
convinced that Gen. Marshall will re-
ceive the same directiyes as had been
given to Gen. Hurley-that the United
States will continue to support the Gen.
trail government short of its forces be-
coming involved in a fratricidal war,
and that no effort must be spared to
bring about a reconciliation between
Chungking and Yenan.
1t is inconceivable that the underlings
who have sabotaged Gen. Hurley will be
able to continue this work against Gen.
Marshall.
Evening star., 1945-11-29
The Stronger the Better

AS Senator Wheeler's speech in
dicates, there is likely to be much
heated argument about the legisla-
ton now up for action to establish
the mechanics essential to American
participation in the United Nations
Organization. 1t is hard to believe,
however, that this will be allowed to
result in any watering-do down of the
role to which the Nation committed
itself when the Senate ratified the
San Francisco Charter by vote OF
80 to last July.
For his own part, Senator Con-
nally, Democratic chairman of the
Foreign Relations Committee, who
is in charge of the bill, confidently
predicts that there will be no great
trouble on this score. And his con-
fidence seems well founded, not
only because of the solemn July
commitment or because logic and
necessity clearly demand favorable
action, but also because Senator
Vandenberg, who played a major
role in creating the UNO, is exer-
cising his powerful influence as
head OF the conference of Repub-
1ican Senators to keep the debate
above the level of mere partisanship.
This is as it should be, for the issue
transcends ordinary domestic poll
tics. It is simply-and grimly-the
issue of making the UNo as effec-
tive as possible, course which since
August 6, since the advent of the
atomic bomb has become the great
est imperative of our time. In SEN
ator Vandenberg'S words, there is
mo hope on earth" except to follow
this course-to make our role on the
UNO's Security Council as active and
full as that OF other member powers,
along the lines set forth in the
enabling legislation now before the
Senate.
The unfolding of the debate
opened by Senator Wheeler may
show the desirability of some
amendments, but if any are adopted
they should be calculated solely to
strengthen the UNO. Partisanship
and narrow nationalism have no
place here. What is at stake is
peace-our own not less than the
world's-and although the UNO is
far from being perfect antiwar
instrument, it is the only such in
strument we can have at this time,
and the stronger it is, the more
chance there will be to make the
peace lasting. Congress must act
accordingly.
Evening star., 1945-11-29
We Back the Uruguay PIon


volved in the announcement by
Secretary of State Byrnes that our
Government gives unqualified ad-
herence" to the principles of COL
lective Intervention in the Western
Hemisphere submitted to the Amer
lean republics last week by the gov
ernment of Uruguay. The United
States is the first to reply to the
proposal now under consideration
by the other republics, and our
answer is as prompt as it is favor
able.
What may be termed the Uruguay
plan envisages collective interven-
tion not only when an American
nation fails to fulfil its interna-
tional obligations, but also when
it denies essential rights" to its
own people. This is, indeed, break
ing new ground in international
relations. 1t certainly goes be-
yond anything provided for or con-
templated by the United Nations
organization, albeit the proposal is
limited to the nations of the West
ern Hemisphere. If accepted and
implemented, it would make the
welfare OF each country in the
Americas the responsibility of all
through collective action. It should,
however, be noted that no specific
criteria of conduct are proposed,
nor any definite method of enforce
ment. Action in any given in
stance would thus presumably occur
only after inter-American consul
tation and decision by substantial
unanimity that action was needed.
Secretary Byrnes endorses the
: Uruguayan proposal on grounds
broad enough to apply universally.
While stating that "the parallelism
between democracy and peace must
constitute a strict rule of action in
inter-American policy" and that
'if they are to preserve the peace,
the American republics cannot per-
nit oppressive regimes to exist in
their midst" he also states that the
recent victory won at such cost
means that men everywhere may
properly demand that human rights
and dignity be respected as an es-
sential condition for the main
tenance of peace and security
throughout the world"
The Uruguayan proposal is un-
doubtedly directed at Argentina,
where a dictatorial regime exists
potentially dangerous to its. neigh
bors as well as highly oppressive
to its own people. Uruguay itself
is a nation distinguished alike for
its democratic practises at home
and its pacific policies abroad.
Yet many Latin American countries
have failed to attain Uruguays
democratic standards, even though
they do not harbor Argentina's dis
turbing foreign designs. It will be
interesting to observe how the gov
ernments of such countries react
to a proposal which might make
them the objects of collective inter-
vention by inter-American decision.
Evening star., 1945-11-29

Our ears are being deafened by i'm
passioned shrieks to the effect that the
American British Canadian declaration
on the proposed control of atomic en-
ergy is challenge to Russia" an
attempt to put Russia on the spot"
and SO forth.
Those who are saying such things are
doing little service to the cause of peace
or the future harmony of our relations
with the q. S. S. r.
1t is possible to criticize the atomic
bomb declaration on the ground that
it should have been issued much earl
Ter; if it had. much confusion and mis-
understanding might have been avoided.
But when we proceed to examine the
declaration itself 1t Is impossible to find
in 1t anything which justifies the really
outrageous charges that are being free
ly made by those whose suspicious and
prejudices apparently outrun their
knowledge of political processes.
For example, Max Lerner in PM says
the three powers held "a conference
about Russia which excluded the Rus
slams" But 1t was not conference
about Russia. It was conference
about terrible force which the three
nations possess under wartime arrange
ments made between them, which they
now desire to find means of con-
trolling. How would it have been pos
sible for any one of these nations, with
out consulting its associates, to have
approached Russia on the matter? The
three powers who let loose this ele-
mental monster had first to consult
with each other and come to q meeting
of minds as to what ought to be done.
1t Is silly to talk of excluding" Russia
The preliminary three-power confer
ence as the only possible method
Of pr ,dure. incidentally, President
Truman announced long ago that the
American program on atomic energy
consisted of three parts: Legislation for
domestic control of atomic develop
ment, consultation with our British and
Canadian associates to develop COM
mon approach to international contro
and, finally, consultation with all the
other United Nations actually to es-
tablish such control. There Is nothing
but plain common sense In that.
As for challenging Russia or putting
Russia on the spot Johannes Steel on
radio station WIN has actually used
the expression throwing down thu
gantlet'-it Is beyond my comprehen.
sion how any one can reach such y
Evening star., 1945-11-29
MutobIe Scene

The sky is sketched in quickly scith col
gr1ys
Upon ,Dhich charcoal penciled bouoh
are drGtDn.
The snoU Is like a scintillating glaze-
1t may be tpinter sunset or ddwn.
Winter stiffness adds sonber tone.
The foreground solemn masses I
dark earth;
But this is not scene Of death alone
Rather q sketch torsshddosoirs q
birth.
The painter made four pictures OF thf
scene,
Just ahead 4 one called "Hopei
RetxyHs
In ,chich tts .ly = blas, the Jorsgroani
green ~
4 moment, please. until the picture
tgYn.
RICHARD i. BoDTKx.
Evening star., 1945-11-29
Science Policy

Although they nave the same op-
jective-namely, to establish a Fed
eral agency to promote scientific
research and development-the bills
sponsored separately by Senator
Kilgore and Senator Magnuson have
important differences as regards
principles and methods of organiza-
ton. President Truman has been
represented as favoring the Kilgore
measure, but he has now been urged
by a group of distinguished scien-
fists to use his influence against it
on the ground that it is too sweep
ing and authoritarian in scope.
The notwithstanding themselves
the Committee Supporting the Bush
Report-hold that the Magnuson bill
adheres faithfully to the recommen-
dations made by DR.. Vannevar Bush.
head of the Office of Scientific Re-
search and Development. On the
other hand, they contend, the Kill
gore bill ignores the recommends
tions in these significant respects:
ID It would create a board sub
ordinate to a single director; (2)
it would further weaken the board
by broadening it to include ex
oh1cio members representing other
agencies of the Government: 60 it
would have the board seek to control
or coordinate all Federal scientific
activities; ca it would try, at least
in part, to deal with the complex
problem of patent policy; and 60 it
would have the new agency embrace
not only the basic sciences but the
social sciences as well.
In appealing to the President to
take a stand against this kind of
organization, the. committee of SCI
entists argues that the board itself
should be responsible for the ap-
pointment of it's chief administra-
tive officer; that this officer should
be the agent. not the master. of the
board; that there should be no man
datory provision for ex offlcio men,
bers, though there should be close
liaison with other Federal scientific
agencies; that the board, though it
should know about and influence the
programs of such agencies. should
not seek to control or coordinate
them, because that might have a
sitting effect; that for the present
the patent problem should be left
where it now is-in the hands of a
special committee headed by the
Secretary of Commerce: and that
the social sciences GEOLOGY, eco
nomics. law. etc.-should be handled
by some other board.
As the history Of our war agencies
has shown. an excellent argument
can be made for the single-admin-
istrator idea. and certainly there is
Evening star., 1945-11-29
General Motors Bulks

An unidentified spokesman" for
General Motors has sought to soften
the impact of the corporations fail
ure to send a representative to
Washington to meet with officials
of the Department of Labor in con-
nection with the automobile strike
by saying that this does not con-
stitute an absolute refusal to discuss
the matter with the Federal Gov
ernment. Perhaps that is true, but
the fact remains that the attitude
of the corporation is one which is
not conducive to settlement OF the
strike and which will iniure its posi-
ton in public estimation.
There is no doubt that the tactics
of the union-the CIO United Auto
mobile Workers-have been calcu-
lated to antagonize the corporation.
This strike was planned long in
advance and the union publicly went
on record as being determined to
bring General Motors to its knees
before turning on the other auto
mobile makers. The union has also
been adamant in its demand for a 80
percent wage increase and has
spurned the compromise proposals
advanced by the employer. Never
theless, the corporations failure to
send responsible representatives to
meet with Government officials at
tempting to settle the strike cannot
be justified.
This Is an attitude which fails
to take into account the public in
terest in this dispute, and which,
beyond that, tends to forfeit public
support which General Motors might
otherwise have had. After all, the
strike eventually Is going to be
settled on some compromise basis.
General Motors is not going to break
the union, nor is the union going to
break General Motors. Eventually
the men will be back at work and
the production Of automobiles will
be resumed, and since that undoubt-
edly Is so, the present attitude of
the corporation serves no better
purpose than to delay the settlement
and provide the union with ammu-
milton which is being and which will
be used to its advantage.
Evening star., 1945-11-29

Ludendorff may have been rea-
sonably worthwhile soldier. but he
was a terrible failure as prophet.
After the last war he said that Ger
many would profit by her mistakes
in the next one.
Evening star., 1945-11-29
Years, Training Not Enough


1t is pity that some of the outstand-
ing leaders of our country cannot see
that year Of compulsory military train
ing would only be imposing snowy
superstructure on poor foundation.
It would be q terrible waste Of money
which would not produce preparedness
in any kind Of an efficient way. The
principle things needed in war are men
with stamina that comes from good
health; an up-to-the-minute scientific
setup; thoroughly trained professionals,
tradespeople and artisans. These can
only BE- developed over a period Of years
through building up the health Of the
Nation Is v.-,cle, education and ex-
periencel A cars training would do
practically ling to develop or main-
tain any Of these essentials. I'M,