Evening star., 1947-06-10

1t has captured some new Repub-
lican votes. It might be little
of both and . common cause.
The fact that the Democratic
nominee, Charles Savage, did not
indorse the Truman doctrine but
stayed on the fence while the Re-
publican nominee who won, Russell
v. Mack, campaigned behind the
bipartisan foreign policy and sup
ported the Truman doctrine de-
signed to stop communistic expan-
sion In the Near East, is rather
unusual division for a political test
nowadays.
Tests After World War I.
Tests of this kind, however. oc-
Cured frequently after World War
I and they indicated trend toward
isolationism. In that period, the
Republican Party nominees almost
unanimously supported the League
of Nations and American co-opera-
ton In European affairs.
The rise of isolationist sentiment
inside the Democratic Party has re-
Gently been noted, especially since
Henry Wallace, former Vice Presi-
dent and member of President
Truman's cabinet, has been cam
paigning the country Regard
less of how roundly Mr.. Wallace
may be denounced, the fact re-
mains that he is appealing to the
same kind of isolationist sentiment
this. time as the Republicans did
after World War I. Then as now
the issue of the isolationists was
related to peace" it being argued
that the League of Nations would
entangle the United States in more
war. Mr.. Wallace's argument is
to no small extent aimed at the
groups and elements which feel that
any hrm policy toward Russia may
approve war.
Mr.. Wallace, in speaking In va
rious parts of the country, has been
welcomed by some prominent Demo-
Gratis. In California, James Roose-
velt was one of the sponsors of the
Wallace meeting and 1t is apparent
that many left wingers" who feel
very deeply about the importance
OF maintaining friendly relations
with Communist Russia are also in
fuential in the Democratic Party.
Showdown Inevitable.
The late President Roosevelt had
his troubles with the pro-Russian
faction in the Democratic Party at
the time when the Russians were
allied with Hitler and prior to the
June, 1g41, outbreak Of war be-
tween Russia and Germany. When
that event occurred, the Russian
sympatfrizers In America switched
their propaganda to support the
war effort, for they wanted America
to help Russia with lease-lend. Now
they are on the Russian side again
and trying hard to embroil the
Democratic Party on the anti
truman doctrine side.
These adventures reflect to some
extent an interest In the fortunes
Of Russia and to some extent de-
sire to commit America to a hands
off policy so far as Europe Is con-
cerned. The Democratic Party can
not. however. successfully ride two
horses, and Mr. Truman's leadership
must inevitably bring showdown.
There is nothing to the idea, how
ever, that a third party is threat
ened. Actually the isolationists do
not work that way-they try to bore
within their own party. The Demo-
cratic isolationist element is not to
be dismissed lightly. 1t showed it
self in the Mack-Savage election in
the State of Washington and 1t will
show itself again in other contests
especially IN the primaries.
The President is reported to have
denounced the Wallace trip to Eu-
rope in a private letter to the COM
mander of one of the ex-service
organizations but. it will take more
than denunciation In private cor
respondence to set the Democratic
leaders straight in various States
where isolationist sentiment is being
whipped up by the Wallace speeches.
Reproduction Rights Reserved)