The Omaha guide., 1948-05-08

Quest
Column
COMMENT
Democratic National Com.

lea foreign policy was passed
last week when the President
signed the foreign aid bilf-thc
European Recovery Program
bill and appropriations to aid
Greece, Turkey and China.
The bill was signed at a sim
pie ceremony III the Presidents
office attended by Cabinet
members and Congressional
leaders. The President describ-
the signing of the act as "a
momentous occasion in the
worlds quest for enduring Pc
ace and commended the Con-
gress for its cooperation in
the prompt passage Of the
measure.
The President added:
Its passage is a striking man
Hesitation Of the fact that a
bipartisan foreign policy can
lead to effective action. 1t Is
even more striking in its proof
that swift and vigorous action
for peace is not incompatible
with Those who are skeptical
Of the effectiveness Of a demo-
cratic system should ponder
the lesson Of the enactment Of
this measure.
THE foreign assistance act is
the best answer that this coun-
try can make in reply to the
vicious and distorted misrep-
reservations of our efforts for
peace which have been spread
abroad by those who do not
wish our efforts to succeed.
The measure is Americas an
swer to the challenge facing
the free world"
The President followed this
stern warning, which was pla-
the peace. He Said:
1T (the bill he signed) is a
measure for reconstruction,
stability and peace. Its pur-
inly addressed to Russia and
its program Of Communist ag-
ression, with a statement Of
his own faith that we can win
pose is to assist in the preser-
walton Of conditions under
which free institutions can
survive in the world.
II believe that the determin-
alton of the American people
to work for conditions of end
uring peace throughout the
this act, will encourage free
men and women everywhere
and will give renewed hope to
all mankind that there will one
day be peace on earth, good
will among men," y
But even as this bill was
being signed the Russians we
re creating as incident in Ber-
lin to seek to divert attention
from. the American move to-
ward peace. Russian activities
made it plain that national
prudence required the Ameri-
can nation to keep its defens-
es strong while it sought to
help rebuild the free nations of
Europe.
Before the Congress was the
Presidents March II proposal
for universal training and tenn
porary selective service. The
Congress showed no dispos-
ition to give the President the
defense program he asked for.
lsolationist Republicans who
had sought to delay and whit
tie down the Euopean Recov-
cry Program bitterly attacked
the Presidents proposals. They
were joined BY the Wallace
third party and the Commun-
lst newspaper, the Daily Wor-
ker.
But administration leaders
took the facts to the Capital
hill and patiently worked for
bipartisan support to put thr-
ough the Presiedtn's requests.
Neither universal training nor
selective service are regarded
as good proposals politically in
an election year and many Re
publicians lacked the courage
to face up to international real
tiles as did the President on
March II.
Many COP polotices sought
some easier way out BY seek
ing to temporize with the crit
ical situation abroad and by
pretending that manpower IS
not an essential part Of the nat
ional defense.
There was also another ser
ious bit of evidence that the
Republican Party was far
from united in its support Of
the bipartisan foreign policy.
Chairman John Taber (R.,
N. w Of the powerful House
I Appropriations Q Commit tee
said that he would be in no
hurry to bring out appropiat-
ions to implement the Europ-
can Recovery Program. He
wanted to study needs" of ev-
cry participating nation.
It is the habit Of Mr.. Taber
to display his power by de-