Evening star., 1947-12-10
The People Must Understand

ocSA olStulOcu 10 uOLe WIaL seems 10 De Lle
inability of many Americans to understand the
facts OF the present tragic international stu
alton. This inability might be summarized as
the failure to realize:
/. That Europe is In imminent danger OF
economic and political collapse.
2. That the Soviet Union is actually waging
war, "cold' war; to establish Communist
Federation of Europe.
3. That the Communist control Of labor
unions in France and Italy is not for economic
purposes but for political revolution.
4. That the Marshall plan affords the sole
hope OF Western Europe to resist communism
and achieve recovery.
s. That the welfare and the security of the
United States require that we save Europe
from collapse and chaos.
6. That material aid to Europe may be too
little and too late.
I am especially concerned about this appar-
ent ignorance of the American public because
of what seems to be the basic responsibility of
both the press and the Government for this
alarming state OF affairs.
Cites Need for Trained Writers.
The press is lacking to an appalling extent
In trained expert journalists capable either of
reporting accurately or commenting intelli-
gently upon the salient facts of important in
ternational developments. Often these COM
ments give the impression of Improvisation
sometimes clever Improvisation. Too many
lack the expert knowledge of historical prece-
dents and of diplomatic methods so brilliantly
possessed by such truly great journalists as
Frank Simonds and Stephen Bonsal. Some
able journalists Of late have seemed more in
tent on fine writing and effects than on sound
analysis and wise conclusions. There is evi-
IDENTIFY something very wrong with the educa-
tion and training OF journalists in the field of
international relations
The American Government must share
major responsibility for the failure of the gen.
eral public to understand our foreign policy.
Too often the public has been shocked by off,
cial ouncements-sometimes by the doubt
full expedient Of press conferences-for which
there has been no adequate preparation. For
example, the Truman doctrine was proclaimed
without any attempt to prepare the press or
public for so r1omentous an adventure in for
eign policy And even today it is discouraging
to discover that many persons, even in Govern
ment circles do not apparently understand why
we are intervening in Greece and Turkey. They
certainly do not begin to understand the Serious
implications of the Governments policy in
Palestine.
Lie IcIicuy 1OT tlllS SITUATION WOulQ seem 10
be threefold First, the Government should
develop Systematically confidential relations
with the press in order that our responsible
journalists may be constantly informed con-
corning developments and trends in foreign
policy
I recall the absorbing interest with which
once heard Wickham Steed Of the London
Times relate how he worked in closest con-
f1dence with the British government to prepare
the public for the outbreak of war in August
1914 Some such relationship should be es-
tablished with our own press in order to secure
public support for our Government in its des-
perate efforts to prevent another world war.
Nonpartisan Collaboration Required.
Second, the Government should seek to per-
feet the admirable systems so ably devised by
Secretary Hull for close liaison between the
State Department and the responsible congress
sional leaders in foreign relations. The nom
partisan collaboration fortunately maintained
in recent years can be further developed until
it becomes virtually an integral feature OF our
constitutional system.
Third, the Government should constantly
keep the American public intimately informed
concerning our foreign policy through frequent
broadcasts and addresses on important occa-
sions. 1t is really shocking to have most I'M
portant announcements, or pronouncements
reach the American public through answers to
casual questions in press conferences. Presi-
dent Roosevelt by his inimitable "flreside" talks
over the radio was able to educate and prepare
public opinion concerning the issues of the last
war and to secure support for his program for
the protection of our national interests. Presi-
dent Truman who has been acquiring an effec-
tive manner of speaking over the radio could
do much more at this time of crisis to get the
support of the American public for the admin
istration In its cold" war with the Soviet
Union.
This problem Of educating public opinion
concerning international affairs Is Of crucial
Importance. If we are unable to understand the
aims, the methods and the implications Of our
foreign policy, then public opinion can be
readily confused and Influenced by enemy
propaganda.
DeTocqueville was painfully right when he
pointed out that the greatest defect of democ-
racy lies in its inefaciency in foreign affairs.
The Soviet Union knows this all too well and
cleverly raises the cry of Fascism whenever it
sees the democracies Of italy and France de-
veloping governments strong enough to de-
feat subversive activities.
In the light of three wars in half century
1t would seem the United States should be able
to correct the defects in our own democratic
system and build strong national defense
based on popular understanding of our inter-
national responsibilities.
(. PHILIP MARSHALL BROWN.
Complains of Bus Service
To the Editor of The Star:
Now that winter is here once again. wonder
just how many people will contract sore throats,
pneumonia and other ailments as the result
of having to wait at the unsheltered stations
Of the Alexandria, Bancroft g. Washington
Bus Co. Since this company took over the
trolley routes from Washington to outlying
Virginia sections the public has been con-
sistently imposed upon. The additional routes
added by the company are little compensation
for totally inadequate station facilities.
In winter one of the most miserable spots
in Washington is main loading station of the
A. B. g. w. Co. in front of the old D. c.