Evening star., 1947-03-10

emerge in the ~
smaller countries
and which cas-
lily may affect Frank R. Kent.
profoundly both France and Eng
land. Such seems the all but unani.
nous Judgment of practically every
informed English-speaking mar
here and abroad.
In other words, while Secretary
OF State Marshall Is in Moscow try
ing to negotiate what seemed the
overwhelmingly vital German treaty
a situation has developed so serious
as to make that treaty appear rela-
lively unimportant. II Is possible
that the whole structure in the
democratically inclined countries
upon the stability Of which we had
depended, will come crashing down
upon our heads.
The question is-are we going to
sit on our hands and see what hap
pens or are we going to do what we
can to prevent it, fully knowing, as
Mark Sullivan says; that if We fail
to act "the world will be laid open
to Russia as an imperial power and
to Communism as an ideology"?
Action Is Needed.
II eventually we, along with other
countries, are to survive as free ma
tions, we have got to act. That is
the feeling of every responsible man
in the administration and 1t is the
conviction behind President Tru-
mans attitude as expected to be
revealed at the White House confer
ence of House and Senate leaders
Of both parties scheduled today
There is, of course, an opposing side.
There are plenty who say the thing
to do is let Europe "steW in its own
Juice" and that 1t Is impossible for
us to save the situation there with
out dangerously straining our own
economy. Others take the view that
such a course would be calamitous
as well as craven; that either we
must assert our world leadership
now or relinquish it altogether-sink
back into a secondary place with an
immensely strengthened Russia in
first.
That Is not state of affairs which
any clear-headed man cares to con-
template. There is every reason
to believe that the President, sup
ported by Gen. Marshall, advocates
adequate and affirmative action. But
that sort of action cannot be taken
without Congress, which, under ex-
isting conditions, is equivalent to
saying without Senator Vandenberg.
He is the key man. Unless he is
completely sold on the necessity of
action, wholeheartedly supporting
the program of the President and
the Secretary of State, nothing can
be done. Mr.. Vandenberg is not
only chairman of the Foreign AT
fairs Committee in the Senate-he
is the recognized leader of the Re-
publicans in matters Of foreign
policy.
In the past two years, his course
has won him commendation IN all
parts of the country, regardless of
politics. Without him we could not
have had a bipartisan foreign poll
-cy. His contribution to National
unity has been of incalculable value
and, almost single handed, he has
pulled the Republican Party away
from its archaic isolationism.
Vandenberg Must Take Lead.
With his party in power in Con-
gress, clearly the pending crisis can
not be met unless he, as matter Of
conviction and with everything he
has, takes the lead. Those who
know him best believe he will do
just that. To get action, the JUS
tilted alarm felt in the White
House, in the State Department and
everywhere else where the facts are
fully appreciated have got to be
communicated to Congress and the
country. Only two men, working
together, can do that-one is the
President; the other, Senator Van
denberg.
Considering the inertia, indiffer-
ence and reluctance, this involves a
very large job of salesmanship. 1t
means putting us on a path from
which there is no retreat. It is a
step not to be taken lightly or In
panic. There is no Pearl Harbor to
galvanize the Nation into complete
understanding. Nevertheless, the
pressure Of events almost compels
us to- act. No man can reckon the
cost nor be certain of the results
But 1t is clear the costs of inactior
may be many times the cost OF
action.
The decision Mr. Truman has tx
make is momentous and the respon.
sibility very great. II, as expected
he chooses to act, Senator Vanden.
berg's help Is indispensable. Per.
haps the Senator's parting words Il
Secretary Marshall before he left
last week indicate his feeling. HI
said:
81 know I speak for this entir,
committee and for the total Con.
gress and I doubt not for the Natior
when I tell you, sir, that our hearts
our hopes, our prayers, are you
fellow travellers when you depar
tomorrow upon your vital mission
so fraught with destiny.
"Inexorable events force higl
responsibilities of leadership upo,
America in this restless, trembling
world at this critical hour. In Mos
COW you will be at the core o