Evening star., 1948-09-04

That America was also aiding countries like
Britain France and Belgium and experienced
strong altruistic spirit must not be used to
obscure our fundamental war motive, that OF
protecting American freedom
Our wisest philosophers have taught that
the soundest foundation for conduct is en-
lightened self-interest blended with altruism
This is doubtless equally true. Of nations.
America went to war. not principally to save
Europe but because saving Europe was vital
to Americas future freedom. After having
long followed a subsequent course of futile
appeasement, she now Is exhibiting q more
healthy frmness, even In an election year, sim
ply because at length it Is realized that, while
appeasement seems to postpone war, it really
makes war more probable and lessons the
chance Of success if it comes.
A irm American policy in Europe still abso-
lutely is demanded, not only by altruism but
primarily by enlightened self-interest. There
is no slightest inconsistency. The Gallup poll
shows that the general public favors greater
ffrmness than its representatives have thus far
exhibited.
That there still persists any real alternative
to remaining in Europe for the present is an il
lusion. That opportunity disappeared with the
temporary collapse of western Europe's mill
tary power and proof Of Russia's boundless
ambition. The United States is the only sub
stantial impeachment to Moscow's clearly dis
closed plan for the conquest Of Berlin, Ger
many, Europe.
Loss Of Allies . Peril
If we allow Western Europe to be over
whelmed by Soviet tyranny, we also shall have
abandoned our last free chance of maintain
ing freedom in the Western Hemisphere. In
such case we would have lost potentially power
full allies, whose productive energies would be
turned against us.
Moreover, We are becoming increasingly
aware Of the infltration of Sovietism into all
Latin American nations and even into this
country and Canada. Latin American coun-
tries have not had the same conception Of
democracy as the English-speaking world.
They have put up with more ignorance, re-
straint, oppression and authoritarianism.
If We abandon Western Europe, make scraps
of paper" Of our commitments, who can doubt
that the prestige and the power Of Russia will
be enormously enhanced and those Of the
United States diminished?
Every country from Hudson Bay to Cape
Horn would swarm with prospective quislings
and their stooses preaching that it is too late"
to make any resistance to world communism.
And there would be far too much truth in their
outcry. We probably would tight but with all
real chance of success lost long before.
This is by no means the time to despair of
peace with freedom for both hemspheres
Communism is an artificial system which runs
counter to certain innate aspirations of men,
Seemingly, it cannot stand up without the sup
port of detested despotism Cracks are appear
ing In the Soviet armor. But the regime will
continue to advance so long as 1t can feed upon
fear, appeasement and retreat
Time and firmness may yet work in our
favor, providing We succeed in preserving our
good friends and convince them that we have
retreated as far as we ever shall.
EUGENE w. BURR.