Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1947-01-01
Scandinayi;afs Will Understand
By AIvoro Shoemaker

BY Alvoro Shoemaker
Statesmen and political leaders of the Scandinavian
countries, well the people generally will find diff
cult account for the misgvings with which Americans
received of the appointment of General George c.
Marshall be Secretary State of the United States.
Our press in this country reflects feeling widely held
among people. well among large sections of
offcaldom, that in placing military figure at the head
OF affairs of state to direct relations with foreign
nations at time when those relations at
critical uncture is somehow hazardous departure
from the American tradition.
Such apprehensions are not likely to be widespread in
Scandinavia elsewhere in Europe where until
cent times kings and princes and states ministers
almost without exception military leaders of the highest
order 1t seemed natural that the military which estab
shed and protected soveregne should be the best
of leadership in negotiating and adjusting the relations
of those soveregntes with the of the world And
often not these military statesmen quite
eessfu maintaining their nations honor and respect
times of peace they by feas in giving
their countries position which commanded honor and
spect.
Because of this tradition the Scandinavian countries
likely derive little satisfaction from the feeling
that formulation and conduct of American foreign policy
in the strong hands of brilliant military leader
who great able organize victory in the
sloba recently ended In this development they
will feel of security which could not be afforded
by occupancy of the chair of American Secretary of State
by a leader whose background the civil life of his
country Scandinavians neghbors European peo-
pies who have been able respect anything but
force and nothing could suggest the ultima ratio
definitely than have the head of foreign affairs
IN the United States who has demonstrated his
ability TO apply that last argument with devastating
effect those who would controvert it effort to
impose q world dictatorship
scandinavian peoples have lived long the flank
q Europes warning forces that perhaps than any
others Of earh populations they have desire
ordered and peaceful world They have proved their
Loyalty the principles Of peace by applying them the
most practical way their neghborly relations.
Therefore peace Is be had only by having peaceably
inclined nations II the world strong enough to IMPOSE
peace they VIII be gladdened and treasured by knowledge
that relations Of Of the strongest of these nations
with the rest Of the world be directed by who
knows how the best of force if that should
&c necessary world security and the right Of smaller
70 work their 6esIinies accordance with the
genius Of their OWL undisturbed desires.
PERPLEXING: Scandinavians know better, perhaps,
than other citizens Of the United States the funda
mental democratic concept Of nation They know be-
they have been integral and active part of
development From the first settlement of the Swedes in
Delaware immigrants from the Scandinavian countries,
and their children and their chdrens children have
worked with great industry further Americas growth
materially and at the they have been good