Evening star., 1948-09-12

nents we reach with the imperialistic
that the Red Armies would advance
50 rapidly that they would get te
the Rhine before we managed tc
cross it ourselves. They were de-
lighted at their victory" in secur-
ing both banks of the river fol
The Western armies, even If the
Russians got there first.
Belated Discovery Costly
Now we discover that the Rus
sian rulers are interpreting those
agreements in their own way and
emasculating them for their own
purposes. These were the men
around whom our Government
propaganda services built the legend
of strict respect for the pledged
word.
We are now discovering, and are
paying a heavy price for such be-
lated discovery, that we can do
even less business with Stain than
we did with Hitler. Agreements
reached after hard discussions one
day are interpreted" differently
the next.
Such late discoveries are costly.
Congress had to increase this years
appropriation for the military es-
tablishment by close to $4,000, ,000,-
200. And unless a miracle happens
TO change the Russian wolves into
lambs we must look ahead to an
even greater appropriation for our
armed services next year, regardless
Of whether Democrats or Repub-
licans win at the polls in November
In an attempt to bolster the nom
Communist governments of Europe
VIC have spent about $4,000, ,000, 900
for different forms of aid to Europe.
This does not include tine sums
appropriated for the Marshall Plan
It is not money we are sending
abroad, but Americas very sub
stance-raw and manufactured ma
terials. The withdrawal OF these
large quantities of goods from the
American market has contributed
substantially to the increase in the
, American family's cost of living.
! Elections Come First
1t is said with a good deal of rea-
son that the. recovery OF the world
is essential for our own welfare and
consequently that this expenditure
eventually will be translated into a
better life for future generations.
This is highly probable, provided
that the Soviet government does not
nullify our efforts with their ag-
gressive actions.
1t is true that by lavish expendl-
ture we have managed to defeat
Communist actions in France and
Italy and have also weakened the
Communist movement in Britain.
This, however, is only temporary
Improvement, whose life will be cut
even shorter if the Soviet govern
ment determines to use its powerful
forces in an outright attack against
the West.
Because of the present election
campaigns in the United States no
decision appears likely to be taken
as to what our final policy is to be.
whether to meet the Soviet threats
with force or to relinquish Europe
to Russia.
The men who aee competing for
the dangerous honor Of guiding the
republic during the next four years
are frightened. A decision to accept
the Soviet challenge might mean
war and might cost votes because
of the cry Of warmongering which
will arise. A decision to get out of
Europe might cause equally damag-
in charges of isolationism and cal
lousness to suffering humanity.
Cannot Put OFF Decision
But all those who now have the
responsibility for our policy in Eu-
rope are fully aware that it is not
by the wishy-washy methods
pompously described as "firmness
patience"-that we will cope with
the Soviet problem.
We can delay the moment of de-
cision by some weeks or even by
some months, but no longer than
that. The Kremlin men apparently
established their policy soon after
Prime Minister Stain and President
Roosevelt met at Yalta. This policy
is Soviet domination of the world,
and the Russians have not changed
their sights since that time.
Germany is Russia's immediate
target in Europe. Politically and
economically 1t is their priced game,
for in spite Of Germany's present
decrepitude it is still the most i'm
portant single piece Of the Old
World.
Once they have secured Germany
the rest of Europe viii fall into their
lap like ripe plum regardless Of
how many billions the American
people may wish to spend on eco
nomic rehabilitation. This is real
lied by all those who guide Ameri-
can destinies today.