Evening star., 1948-02-21

JOT1teT, dtEOngH u Is peTn11SS1OLe J0T
,oriter kno,on to The Star to use a
nom de plume. Please be brief.
I recommend be read by those interested. It
is sufficient to cause most farmers to forget
about guarantees of parity.
ROBERT ASHTON CISSEL.
Mr.. Washburne's Precedent
To the Editor of The Star:
Reading William c. Bullitt's letter Of Febru-
airy 16 to The Star explaining his reasons
for remaining in Paris as American repre-
sentative to France during the recent war,
was interested in his reference to former
American representatives to France remaining
at their posts during other wars. Among them
he mentioned Elihu Washburne, American
Minister to France during the Franco-Prus-
sian War In Mr.. WashburneS personal CORE
spondence at the time and in his later "Remi
niscences," he stated that to him his duty in
remaining in Paris was obvious. "Not only"
as he urged upon his colleagues as they were
preparing to depart was it incumbent upon
them to remain for the dignity of their
various governments, but for the protection
of such of their countrymen as might yet be
in Paris" Many of the chiefs of legation
already had proceeded to Tours some weeks
before, apparently with willingness, leaving in
charge at Paris their undersecretaries, or in
some instances turning over their archives
to the American Minister, Elihu Washburne,
who had elected to remain at his post. In
his personal correspondence, he stated: out
side the walls of Paris were the Germans
pounding away persistently, and bent on bring
ing their foes to the dust Inside were a
defeated, discouraged and temperamental
people, but with the merest thread of authority
to guide then-and the actual seat of govern
ment removed to Tours. Winter was approach
ing, with little food and less fuel on hand"
Shortly after Paris was declared in a state
of siege Mr.. Washburne was asked by Bismarck
to take over the Prussan archives and to take
charge of the subjects of the North German
Confederation who found themselves in France
on the breaking out of hostilities. Mr.. Wash
burne, in his report to the Department of
State wrote that these wretched fugitives
numbered from two to three thousand
day. When pressure for the departure of the
Germans was greatest, he himself went to the
railway station night after night experimenting
their departure and seeking out and providing
for cases of extreme destitution. For over two
months he was occupied every day from IL
to 18 hours.
When in 1914 Paris once more was threat
ened by the Germans, Mr.. Herrick, then
American Ambassador to France, told the
writer that when other diplomats already had
left for Bordeaux his own action in remaining
at his appointed post in Paris was due to the
precedent set by Mr.. Washburne as American
representative to France during the Franco
Prussian War.
AS Mr.. Bullitt has explained in his letter
to The Star, in consequence of the decision
of the various American representatives to
France to remain at their posts in moments
of crisis, "T1ne American Embassy in Paris has
a standing with the French far superior to that
of any other power. We were regarded as
friends in disaster as well as in happy hours"
ELIZABETH WASHBURN WRIGHT.
Air Force Philosophy Explained
To the Editor of The Star:
In answer to the charges that the Air Force
is inventing controversy over the Navy's
request for congressional approval to build a
super-carrier contained in letter published
in The Star, February 10, signed Diogenes,
the following comments are offered:
It would seem to be bad taste for one branch
Of national defense to criticize another pub
licly, even in restrained manner. Certainly
the best traditions Of the Navy are not upheld
by scurrilous backhanded, and thoroughly
hySterical attack on the motives of a junior
service. But perchance Diogenes believes his
own accusations. If so his invincible attach
ment to the outmoded thinking of conventional
strategists is excusable though nevertheless
dangerous.
In logic, and the art Of disputation it was
always sign of weakness in the argument
of an opponent when he had recourse to the
last ditch "argumentum hominum" Obvi-
H.
attack the man!
Diogenes has some facts which unfortunately
are too true. The Air Force does not have
the ultimate weapon of strategic attack. Our
10 group program is merely a technique of
creating the largest effective striking force
in being with the. means now at hand. 1t
admittedly is limited. But it is hard to think
that even Diogenes seriously believes that our
little Air Force of 10 groups (actually there
are but So is the weapon of time choice
Hardly!
Yes, the present Air Force is limited. That
is why, when, looking to the East, we see super
B-29's feverish development of long range,
high speed Schnorkle- type submarines, and
extensive expansion of uranium mines, we
seek to obtain the funds necessary to achieve
the hemisphere strategic defense which soon
will be vital necessity.
The Navy certainly has tactically sound
concept in super-carriers A discussion con-
cerning procurement of such weapons must
first of all be predicated upon the possible
advent of hostilities before the development
of bombers with 10000 mile or more range,
a possibility, we hear, that is very remote.
We are told that no nation will wage war
now, nor for decade, because none is able.
Then, it is reasoned, war is possible, be-
cause the weapons for the war which the
Germans named will have been developed
Blitz krieg!
Perhaps the readers of The Star misinterpret
the virulent charges which the members Of
the various services hurl at one another
Diogenes has a concept of naval defense
and we of the Air Force of air defense; we
both thoroughly believe our systems to be
right feasible and sound; and we both know
xlaa oettir,sr .