Evening star., 1947-06-17
The Political Mill
Ultimutum to Democrats
Seen in Wallace Speech
Threat of Third Party Suggested
Unless Leaders Reverse Policies
By Gould Lincoln

threat OF IhIrd Party Suggested
Unless Leaders Reverse Policies
By Gould Lincoln
Henry Wallace, in his much -heralded speech
here last night, virtually issued an ultimatum
to the Truman administration and the Demo-
Gratis who follow its lead-to reverse its present
policies or face third-party threat In the
national campaign next year He left, to be
sure another alternative which would prevent
third-party effort-a regeneration Of the Re-
publican Party, which Mr.. Wallace clearly does
not expect.
Sooner or later, President Truman and the
other Democratic Party leaders now In power
must tell Mr.. wallace OF or take him TO their
bosoms. For political reasons. they disliks to
do the first. For personal reasons, they would
hate to do the second.
Another thing Mr. Wallace did In his WASH
ington speech: he attempted to draw about his
shoulders the mantle Of the late President
Roosevelt. He expressed his profound affec-
ton" for the Democratic Party Of Mr.. Roose-
velt, which he called genuinely liberal party,
the friend Of the worker, the farmer and the
small businessman.
Under Roosevelt" he said, ordinary people
the world over. and especially in Latin-Americs.
loved the United States for its democracy In
stead Of fearing 1t for its dollar diplomacy
backed up by armed might. Today the admin
istration has departed from the course Roose-
velt charted."
Wants Foreign Policy Changed.
The kernel Of Mr.. wallace's demand upon
the Truman administration Is that 1t change
its present foreign policy, which Mr.. Wallace
insists is leading inevitably to war. It must,
he said, make sincere effort to get settle
ment with the Russians Of outstanding issues
What, 1t may be asked, does Mr.. Wallace
think that President Truman and the Secre-
taries of State who have served under him
Stettinius Byrnes and Marshall-have been
doing the last two years? Mr.. Wallace does
not set forth how this Government might be
expected to get an agreement with Russia over
the issues which have arisen. Presumably,
however, he must have in mind yielding to the
Soviet demands-for that is just the course
which Mr. Truman has declined to follow.
Yet Mr.. Wallace insisted in his speech that:
"Truman's only chance for election next year,
is to make the Democratic Party the party Of
peace" And getting around to the possible
third-party entry, he said: "If both parties
insist on pursuing the present suicidal course
toward war and depression, there will be new
party, even II 1t has no chance Of election In
1948"
Speaker Criticizes Truman.
One of the chief purposes Of q Wallace
supported third party, he made 1t clear, would
be to elect Wallace-type members Of Congress.
Also, he mentioned: "It will be important-if
the Democratic Party succunbs to Wall street
domination--to have a new party to let the
people Of the world know that those who believe
In peace and understanding still have some
means Of expression"
The former Vice President and Secretary Of
Commerce took number Of pot shots at Presi-
dent Truman. For example, he said: I'm the
9 months which have passed since President
Truman reversed his approval Of my foreign
policy speech at Madison Square Garden. We
have taken many dangerous steps down the
road toward war and depression" This was
the speech, advocating appeasement Of Russia.
that caused President Truman to eliminate Mr..
Wallace from his Cabinet.
Also Mr.. Wallace chided Mr.. Truman for
going to bat so vigorously against the railroad
brotherhoods when they threatened Q national
strike and for rushing to Congress with . de-
mand for shipping arms TO Turkey, and not
acting with the same vigor to get from Congress
some Of the new deal proposals related to
health, education and the FEPC.
New Demand Made.
And Mr.. Wallace made . new demand
that the administration and the Democratic
Party take leadership today in q campaign to
nationalize the munitions industries Of the
country.
In his latest pronouncement regarding Russia,
Mr.. Wallace suggested that what this country
should do is to provide Russia assistance "in
economic rehabilitation 1t substitute .
get practical policy so far as Russia is con-
cerned for the "get tough" policy now In prog
ress. The difficulty is that Russia would accept
Il - tba tt,,a yHtJr-
suing its policy Of Communist expansion in
Europe and Of the sabotage Of democracy in
the Western Hemisphere.
Leading Democrats in Congress view Mr..
Wallace's threats Of third party with distasts.
They admit-some Of them-that II Mr. Wallace
really undertakes to launch third party 1t
would have the effect Of making certain .
Republican victory next year. They see no
chance whatever of Mr. Wallace's party win
ming in presidential or congressional elections.
Some of them say Mr. Wallace merely is seeking
to get something out Of the Democratic Party.
Questions and Answers