Evening star., 1948-08-12
CIerics Seen Unpotriotic
In Day of Mourning Plan
Proposal Attacking u. S. Draft Law
Seen Giving Hope to Any Enemy
The Political Min

The day of mourning proposal aimed BY
100 American clergymen at the new military
draft is at best unpatriotic. It Is almost on
fours with recommendations made by a Negro
leader that Negro youths called up for service,
decline to serve because all segregation in the
armed forces has not been abandoned Both
proposals are attacks on the American Gov
ernment's plans for national defense, at .
time when proper national defense Is essential.
Fortunately the clergymen and the Negro
leader who have taken these positions are rep.
resentatives of small minorities
Another group of clergymen, holding i'm
portant Offices in organizations of Christian
churches, has been quick to retaliate This
second group charges that the clergymen who
have attacked the draft law have been active in
the past against national defense. 1t asks
that these clergymen be investigated by the
House Committee on Un-American Activities.
Gives Hope to Enemy.
The fact that so many clergymen have been
found to lead a movement against national
defense, however, is enough to give concern.
Further, 1t Is the kind of thing which gives
hope to any enemy or potential enemy of the
United States, and enables that potential
enemy to enlarge its propaganda, program,
holding that the American people are in reality
divided. 1t is the kind of thing which will
give aid and encouragement to the Wallace
Progressive Party, Communist dominated as
1t is.
From the very start of his anti Truman CAM
paign, Henry Wallace has laid stress upon his
peace" issue. When he begins his active
campaign for the presidency with a speech in
Bridgeport Conn, August Il, the former DEM
ocrstic Vice President will elaborate this issue
and continue to claim that the bipartisan
foreign policy OF the Democrats and the Re-
publicans is driving this country into war.
This peace issue is the most important bait
on the Wallace hook. 1t is the kind Of thing
that will win the support Of thousands Of un-
thinking men and women, or men and women
who do not think things through
A main plank in the Wallace Partys plat
form, adopted in Philadelphia, Is the repeal
of the Draft Act. Mr.. Wallace and his follow
ers know just as we'll as the Army and Navy
Departments that it has been impossible to
get sufficient young men to fill up the units
of the country's armed forces by voluntary
enlistments.
Wish to Keep U. 8. Weak.
The corollary is that Mr.. Wallace and his
followers do not wish these units filled up.
What they wish is to keep this country SO
weakened miltarily that 1t must adopt the
appeasement policy which Mr. Wallace has
proclaimed toward Russia, or risk q disastrous
war. To the Communists and fellow-travelers
in the ranks of the Wallace Party, this IL
the frosting on the cake
The Draft Act to the extent that it helps
to make the United States strong, is an act
looking toward peace, not only for this country.
but for the world. This country, because OF its
unwillingness to be prepared for war, has twice
been involved in world conflicts that might
never have occurred. Certainly q strongly
armed United States would have given pause
to Hitler Just as certainly q strongly armed
United States today will give pause to Com
munist Russia and its leaders who seek
world revolution" and regard the United States
as the greatest obstacle to such an end. =