The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1948-10-29
PrevieWs Of
Continued from Page Two)

really produced blueprints similar to
those described by Kenney and
Spaatz; these may be the only plans
the military can evolve under the
present conditions These condi-
tions could be changed by recreation
of a powerful Western European
military force; but in all probability,
not before the Soviet Union acquires
atomic bombs, and thus makes West
ern Europe untenable even if a con-
ventional army is on hand to de-
fend it.
The fault is not with the military
planners. The fault is with the
bankruptcy of war as ga method of
politics" as ultima ratio regis. AS
long as sovereign nations will con-
slider wars as possible contingencies, |
the military will have to prepare
their plans to make their nations vic |
torious, regardless of material costs
and moral consequences. 1t is from
our political, not our military plan
ners, that we could expect recogni-
ton of the madness of this conven-
tional military thinking; but when
the major political party which ex-
poets to come into power this year,
forgets even to mention the words
"atomic bomb" or "atomic energy"
in its platform (whiIe the minor
party which aspires to leadership in
the struggle for peace, is satisfied | /
with a meaningless party-line plati- Il
tude calling for "dismantling of Il
atomic bombs"), the hope for new II
leadership from professional politi II
clans appears dim indeed. II
Our hope must rest with the peo- II
oles. The American people must H
not permit themselves the SNUG sat II
sfaction that all they have to do is II
10 remain tough" since if need be, H
hey can win another war, by slaugh- H
ering-by remote control, as it were
millions of Russian civilians. By H
folding out the hope that destruction HI
f industrial centers of Russia will II!
cad to collapse of the Soviet will to HI
light, and end the war without heavy HI
osses in land fighting, and before III
he Russians would get a chance to HI
etailiate on American cities, our HI
erial strategists appeal, we are HI
ure, without intent-to that great iii
acifier Of uneasy consciences- HI
ope for immunity. The American HI
onscience must refuse to be paci- Hi
led. Instead, we hope that reading HI
ne articles of Kenney and Spaatz, HI
lie Americans will awaken to the HI
ealization that if no way is found to HI
rganize the world for peace, they, HI
lie American people, will become CO. HI
.sponsible for the most gigantic and Hi
mass murder in his Hi
ry, and thus, even while preserving ,lIl
cir bodies, might lose their souls. I'LL
erhaps, the realization of this dam Hill
n to their consciences will make iii
any Americans ready to contem- Hill
ate greater efforts and assume Hill
eater sacrifices for peace, than Hill
uld be induced by appeals to their Hi
lf-interest, or to their generosity. iii
1t is not meant that we should Hi
treat and sacrifice more nations to Hi
e totalitarian rule. We cannot Hi
We our souls by refusing to stand Hi
our friends and our principles. I'LL
1t whenever it comes to sacrifices Hi
our wealth or pride or sovereign I'LL
whenever it is questioned whether lllI
can afford new contributions for I(II
lief or rehabilitation, or whether I'LL
2 recipients they our former IIll
emies or recent allies-really de- Hi
we this assistance; whenever it is Hi
ggested that we should refuse Hill
rther negotiations because of re- Hi
ated Illustration or open insults I'LL
all these situations, let US remem- I'LL
: that the alternative to peace is Hi
t, or not merely to sacrifice the I'LL