The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-02-16
News "a,
BEHIND
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Released by Western Newspaper Union
POSTWAR TALKS SHOW
COOPERATION TRENDS
By PAUL EfALLoN u

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by a series of foreign affairs
speeches which seemed to set new
American background for the dis
cussions.
Pressure from underneath the sit
uation, generated by unsatisfactory
political developments In Europe,
lifted the lid on the subject official
ly-only to limited extent and APP
parently-only for time. Yet rising
courageously with new ideas have
come Senators Vandenberg, Wheel
er and Connally, and George Foster
Dulles, the Dewey advisor.
These may have appeared
somewhat confusing to the pub
lie, but together they constitute
ed formal affording MIR. Roose-
welt knowledge of what is want
ed in various quarters and there
fore how far he can 60.
For instance, the Vandenberg opus
was confusedly interpreted as con-
version of an isolationist to the in
ternationalist viewpoint. The gleeful
internationalists hailed the speech
from that standpoint, and so did the
somewhat disappointed nationalists
who seemed to fear its import.
Actually it was only Vandenberg
plan which did not join either side.
His program, which is even at this
late date being confusingly reported
in magazines, seemed to me to be
simply this.
SPHERES OF INFLUENCE
Russia and Britain are dividing
Europe into spheres of influence,
while our ideal and our policy Ian
guishes. We want freedom for all
peoples, apparently real democratic
freedom, not just deliverance Of
Europe from the bonds of fascism
into the chains Of communism.
Vandenberg therefore proposed to
pledge free future use by the Presi-
dent of our armed forces in the post
war world to prevent remilitariza-
ton by Germany and Japan only.
He did not pledge their free use or
any other kind of use, to perpetuate
forever the conquests Russia is MAX
ing in Poland, or the Balkans or a
British sphere Of influence in Greece.
Indeed, he mentioned the POSSIBLE
ity that there might be an unjust
peace, and he obviously did not want
our armies backing that kind of a
proposition. That was the essence
behind the Vandenberg idea.
Now Wheeler, also, I think, was
not clearly understood. He said he
favored the Connally plan for an in
term council of nations, and this
was hailed as his conversion. But
Wheeler did not want free use of our
troops in any future war for any pur-
pose.
His main point was that the next
war threat is not likely to arise from
Germany or Japan but from Russia,
France, China, Britain or us-the
big five with the arms, whereas
Germany and Japan are to be COM
pletely crushed.
WANT TO COOPERATE
It is clear therefore that both Van
denberg and Wheeler have said only
that they wish to cooperate in a just
peace-a pledge which is somewhat
modified by the obvious policies Of
both Russia and Britain in Europe,
and Wheeler's additional reserva-
lions.
Vandenberg did say he would not
expect full freedom for Europe at
once and seemed willing to accept
temporarily a certain limitedly UNI
satisfactory European condition.
Similarly the speech of the Dewey
internationalist adviser, Mr.. Dulles,
was reported as an attack upon
American aloofness in foreign policy
and was misunderstood as an as
sault upon isolationists. What Mr..
Dulles said was that current condi-
tons in Europe are due to Russian
and British policies.
Russia, as he put 1t, has been as
signed responsibility in Europe Sin
large part" and Britain sin small
part" For this he held the admins
tration responsible.
Wheeler is the only one who came
right out and plainly implied he did
not expect Russia and the others to
agree to anything that would be ac-
ceptable to him, but the same
thought was not absent from the
carefully framed Vandenberg plan
or from the Dulles speech.
Mr.. Roosevelt is thus being sent
forth with what appears to be pop
ular mandate to break power politics
in Europe nothing more. To what
ever extent he fails in that, the
plan he brings home will be in pub
lie jeopardy Judging from the pop
ular reaction to these talks).
The accounts Of the Republican
meeting at Indianapolis made 1t
sound like routine affair, a good
story for the national Republican
weekly perhaps, but for no one else.
They breathed pure harmony and
light, though the light was dull.
AS . matter of fact the harmony
was also far from pure.