Evening star., 1946-10-20
Text of Vondenberg Views on Foreign Policy
SoyU Attitude Toward Russia Is One Of friendly Fmness
Feors Mscocuoion Of Somebody May Upset Peace Efforts

tt1SuOsJ = uUsuSSS
Upset. Peace Efforts
/ Perhaps we fail to understand Mos
COW. Certainly Moscow misunder-
stands us. I agree that they need
to know that we plan no conspiracies
or conquests against them-and God
can witness that there is nothing OF
that sort in our souls. But we need
to know that they are not pushing
toward a communist world. If there
is any way to achieve this mutual
understanding and goodwill, I will
thankfully and prayerfully embrace
it. We must all keep on trying. But
We will not "sell America short" in
the process.
Cushing-I take it, Senator, you
do not think war between us some
day is inevitable.
Vandenberg My answer, Mr.
Gushing, is that 1t must not be
allowed To become inevitable. Rus
sia does not want war. America
does not want war. We both are
in the United Nations to prevent
war. I hear much more war-talk
over here than I did In Paris. I'm
afraid we have too many American
groups which over-zealously seek
to make their own peace ideas i'm
pressive by using war as the fright
ening alternative. I wish we could
quit talking about war" In my
opinion, If it happens 1t will come
from some tragically unfortunate
incident which may well be the
result of somebody's miscalculation
as to how far we will tolerate some
policy which either threatens our
own security or world peace or which
violates our conception of human
rights and fundamental freedoms.
That is why, in my view, it is SO
vitally necessary that we should
be wholly frank with Russia-say
what we mean and mean what we
say.
Candor must not be mistaken
for i'll will. And that, too, is why
we must have, so far as self-serving
politicians will permit, united
American foreign policy, supported
generally by Republicans and DEM
ocrats alike, so there will be no
delusion abroad that we are vul-
nerable because we are at the mercy
of internal divisions. In other words,
we must not be responsible for any
"miscalculations." That way, I dare
hope, lies peace-particularly with
the United Nations" to cushion
the impact even of "miscalculations. "
This much is certain. America s
bipartisan foreign policy today is
not policy of war. 1t is a policy
of peace. In my opinion, it will
succeed-unleSs it Is scuttled here
at home.
Not "Get Tough" Policy.
Cushing: Let me ask you this
Senator. Is it fair description to
call hits new, bipartisan American
policy a get tough with Russia
policy?
Vandenberg-It is not accurate
and I II give you two proofs. . The
Soviets have defended their expan-
sionism on the plea that they must
have protection against a third re-
birth of Axis aggression. We do not
like "expansionism" by anybody In
new world which is pledged to
the humanities of the Atlantic
Charter. So what do We offer Rus
sia by way of alternative protec-
ton? We offer. not only our MEM
bership in the United Nations, but
also a direct, 40-year treaty promis-
ing to come to her instant defense
in case an Axis aggressor shall ever
rise again. There never was a
greater example of friendship and
Igood will. Do you call that get
ting tough? s'*
/ Again. Look at atomic bombs
We possess their exclusive secret
1 for perhaps five more years. We
offer to scrap them all and aban-
don our monopoly forever. In re.
turn for what? In return for world
wide controls which shall guaran-
tee civilization against all atomic
bombs. anywhere. any time, from
any source, anywhere on earth. II
is the greatest demonstration oi
humane and unselfish vision since
time began. Do you>call that get
ting tough?" If SO, how do we
escape this charge? BY immedi.
ately giving away our atomic know
how without dependable guarantees
against bad faith? I would con-
slider that to be sheer lunacy.
hasten to add that it also woulo
be lunacy not to persist in striving
for a mutual accord, if possible, tt
prevent an ultimate race in atomic
arms No; getting tough" i!
not the definition. Friendly firm.
ness" is the correct phrase. Friend.
ly firmness I stive for both
Thus I believe I am striving fol
true peace.
Surrender Not Way to Peace.
I Perpetual surrender Of rights ane
ideals never did and never will buy
peace. Munich did not buy peace
it merely paid the blackmail which
bought war.
I like a phrase in the resolution.
just adopted by the national con.
vention of the American Legion:
American foreign policy shoult
be neither hostile nor subservien
to any other power on earth.'
And If you'll allow me just on
second of personal latitude, Mr.
Cushing, I also like the following
sentence from the American LIE
gion's resolutions:
I'VE strongly endorse and sup