Evening star., 1947-07-21
The Hour Is Late

To the Editor Of The Star:
1t is generally admitted that Communist
domination of either France or Italy Will
plunge the remainder Of Europe into the Hus-
sian-dominated bloc. What this will mean TO
Europe and also to the United States and the
remainder of the free world is not sutnciently
stressed. It will mean much more than the
loss of normal exchange OF goods, the POSSIBLE
ity of eventual recovery and prosperity for
Western Europe. 1t will mean the end OF Tree
speech it will mean return to the sordidness
and slavery of the Dark Ages, the end OF
European contribution to science, art and
literature.
The great tragedy is that 50 few really
understand the underlying necessity for
brotherhood, the principle of interdependence,
that so long as the world Is not safe for my
neighbor 1t Is not safe for me. 1Solation1sts
thought that the United States could remain
in splendid isolation and thrive while the
world was torn asunder and destroyed by the
greed and cruelty of the Nazi monsters This
form of spiritually emasculated thinking Is
still very much in evidence.
How is 1t proposed to stop the complete DOM
nation of Europe and Asia by communism?
The Marshall plan is of course the answer.
But when or where il the dynamic. force1ul
leadership required to "'t this across? Sec
retary Marshall is doing what lies within his
power Congress seems drugged by political
considerations and dead to the world realltles.
At no time in history could this be so tragic
World leadership Is slipping from America,
and there seems no way to stop the termlte
minded and bring them to their senses There
will probably never be another opportunity
such as the present hour, and the nooly con-
ceived Marshall plan cannot succeed unless
there is such q moral and spiritual eaItn-
quake in the American people that will arouse
politicians to craftsmanship.
Few dimly see the alternatives to the fall
ure of the Marshall plan, and many are
stepped in the lethargy of complete 1ndlner-
ence or misunderstanding OF what 1t Is all
about The alternatives are terrifying.
Communist dominated Europe and Asia means
the end of freedom not only for them but also
for us; it means the end of capitalism, the END
of our present civilization.
This is the first time in American history
that a. great crisis has not brought forth
great leader The quality of leadership now
REQUIRED is higher than at any other time,
and the stakes are immeasurably higher. The
isolationist mind still believes that America
can survive the collapse of Europe and Asia;
still is unconcerned about the cry OF anguish
on every hand: Is unmoved by the loss OF in
dividual dignity and freedom everywhere as
corollary to Soviet domination. So 1t was
when the German and Japanese armies were
sweeping all before them.
With the remainder of the world dominated
by Germany and japan. how long could TINS
country have maintained its independence!
The isolationists thought we could, and the
same crowd today thinks that we could main
tain 1t in a Russian dominated world. How
can Henry Wallace even believe that in his
heart? But America must hurry The hour Is
late Events may soon destroy all chance OF
escape Statesmen-where are you?
K S. VEIRS.