Evening star., 1947-07-07
On the Record
On the Record
MorshoII's Speech Can
Restore Our Confidence
Secretary Defends u. S. Before
Ourselves and the World
Rv Dorofhv Thombs0n

y
The speech of Secretary Marshall before
the Women's National Press Club was in the
great American tradition, the more so for its
brevity.
It was a defense of the United states before
ourselves and the world-before ourselves be-
cause the charges and Misrepresentation
leveled against our foreign policy come also
from men at nome. They include men of the
type ever ready to further their ambitions in
times of trouble; agents of, or SPECTATORS for.
other states or for movements which have no
roots in this country: birds that flock to car
rion: preachers of peace" when they mean
violence; OF freedom" when they mean total
war. They whine when the law finds them out
in their crookedness and then rush to the
friends Of liberty to defend their right further
to undermine liberty.
Secretary Marshall did not attack them
Calmly without belligerence, he spoke for
the record.
High Time for CIariication.
1t was high time that some one of such
authority stated that the American foreign
policy now-as traditionally-is not imperialist,
not even interventionist, but seeks to protect
the liberties Of people to develop their civili-
zations in their own way, provided they keep
peace Win Cnelr nelgnpOfS
Would country seeking to turn one war
into another have demobilized the most power
full force on earth? Would it have given So
000,000,000 worth of goods without condition
attached except that they should not be ex-
pended to serve selfish political or economic
interests? Have we sent agents to dominate
the police establishments of other countries,
formed 'joint American European companies"
to rob foreign economies, or left behind us
parties subservient to American interests? Let
history answer.
Wherever our garrisons have stood we have
protected even the Communist Parties, when
they have not resorted to violence.
Persist in Violence.
Yet they persist in resorting to violence
organized mobs of them armed with clubs and
brass knuckles breaking up first, a peaceful
assemblage in Budapest then, a meeting ad-
dressed by the Italian Premier in Venice.
Everywhere they insult the United States, ac-
cusing us of the things they themselves do
and we do not.
Has any state been annexed to the United
States as a result of this war? Are we to
apologize that not more millions OF our young
men died? Should we have considered-as the
soviets did-that the life of a machine wa
more VALUABLE Llldl CIlaI OIL any IIldu OF SIou'
of men, or apologize because we had the ma
chimes and the Soviets did not?
The Marshall plan for Europe, which th
Soyiets are wrecking, is a plan to live an
help live 1t anticipates no return to us excep
greater European prosperity, stability, inter
European harmony, and the benefits accruint
therefrom to all, including-if the Soviet lead
ers were not so blinded by their own bigotry-
the Soyiets themselves.
Plotters See Plots.
But the sly and conspiratorial see nothing
anywhere but conspiracy. The minds of plot
ters center around plots. Those whose
philosophy is founded in war as predeter-
mined pattern of history think war. And
valiant warrior, loyal ally and passionate peace
maker speaks to ears that hear not.
Yet, if he RECEIVERS for us confidence in our
motives and calm contempt for our defamers,
that is much. We have made many errors.
some of them forced upon us. But they were
not prompted by motives of which we arc
accused by the perpetual clamor OF a state
manipulated propaganda machine whose rec
ords, even for credulous ears, are wearing
very thin.
tReleased by the Bell Syndicate 1ncD