Evening star., 1948-03-23
The Case for Action

Tne House Foreign Affairs Committee
has made clear and convincing state
ment of the dangers which confront the
United States today and the even greater
dangers which will confront us unless we
act-and act now-to prevent communism
from overrunning Europe and Asia.
The committees statement was con-
tanned in report urging adoption of the
House version of the European Recovery
Program. This calls for first-year out
lay of $6,205, 100000 for Western Europe,
Greece, Turkey and China, and appeals
to the Rules Committee to expedite final
action on the measure The House bill
is at variance in several important respects
with the bill recently enacted by the
Senate, which means that the differences
will have to be smoothed out in conference
after the House acts. Hence, the need for
quick action in the House is more impera-
tive than would be the case II an identical
bill were under consideration.
The committees emphasis on the ur-
gency of the time factor is reassuring, for
it Is becoming clearer every day, In the
words of Chairman Eaton, that sooner or
later the forces of slavery and freedom will
stand face to face for decision. This
decision may be arrived at through war
or through balancing of political and
economic power. But in either event
whether the final showdown with the
Communists be economic or military in
nature-it is Of first Importance that we
must not, through delay or indecision,
permit the Communists to expand and
strengthen their position at the expense
of our own.
Pointing out that the Communists are
capltalizing on sense Of fear and hope
lessness in Europe, the committee report
states that the tactics of communism can
be met only by firm decision on our
part and a willingness to adopt the meas
ureS necessary to reverse the present trend.
It these measures, both military and eco
nomic, are taken and taken in time there
Is hope that the elections coming up in
Europe this summer will not result un-
favorably to us.
The committee also explores the posi-
bility Of alternatives, and comes to the
conclusion that there is no alternative
which any rational person, understanding
tne 1actS, would take.
II we do nothing. or If we do not act
effectively and in time, the "few great
critical barriers" to the spread of COM
munism will disappear. And If that hap
pens, the committee says, "the very
survival of the United States would be
more seriously at stake than at any other
time in its history"
No effort should be spared to bring
home to the American people the grim
outlines of this picture. If Western Europe
and Asia fall into the Communist sphere
we will be left standing alone for all
practical purposes. In that situation. If
we are even to survive, our whole mode
OF life will have to be changed. Our
freedoms will vanish under the compul
sions OF regimentation and our resources.
to an extent never before approached in
peacetime, will have to be poured into
vast military establishment.
No one should deceive himself about THE
price of the alternative to timely and
effective action. While we listen to Henry
Wallace and his Communist followers tell
us that to act Is to risk war with Russia,
let us remember these words of the FOREIGN
Affairs Committee: There can be but
one choice; to extend the aid necessary in
both economic and military spheres. A
calculated risk, this has been called. But
such risk Is no risk. compared to the
grim certainty of the alternative"