Evening star., 1949-10-06
The Political Mill
Taft Labeled 'IsoIutionist'
By Ohio Campaign Foes
Senator Answers Attack by Pointing
To Record on Defense Measures
Bv Gould Lincoln

BY Gould Lincoln
Not satisfied with their efforts to paint
Senator Robert A. Taft Of Ohio as labor's
No. enemy-which he Is not-the Tru-
NANTES and labor leaders are attacking
the Ohio Senator's position on the foreign
policy of the United States-calling him an
out-andout isolationist. Whether that kind
of attack will hurt Mr.. Taft in his campaign
for reelection in Ohio, is moot question.
But it may be of interest to understand that
that Senator does not regard himself as an
isolationiSt.
In fact, Mr.. Taft does not quite under
stand why he should be so labeled. He has
favored reducing the number of billions Of
dollars which the United States has sent and
is sending to Europe to help in recovery. II
he believes that So, 900 900 900 is the right
amount to send for that purpose instead Of
$4,000 900 or $4,000, 900 900. that still
does not make him, in his opinion, an iso-
lationist.
On the contrary. Mr.. Taft does not hesi-
tate to tell his audiences in Ohio-as he
travels about the State-that he believes
that this country should aid in European
recovery. He makes no bones about stating
that steps must be taken to prevent Com
munist Russia's over-running Western Hu-
rope. This, he considers, an important
measure of national defense as we'll as nec-
essary for Europe.
Wants Strong U. N.
Mr. Taft voted for adherence of the United
States to the United Nations. One of his
principal desires. is to make the u N. st ong
and to make it work. That he considers.
too, mark of differentiation between him.
self and an isolationist.
The Ohio Senator had expected to vote
for the North Atlantic Security Treaty
hA
would have done so had it not been inex-
tricably woven into the Governments plan
to supply more money to Europe to rearm.
He stated his case against such use Of
American funds contributed by this coun-
try to Western Europe-fully during the de-
bate on the treaty and on the arms for Eu-
rope bill, and he probably will have some
thing more to say on the subject when tho
bill approprating the money for European
arms comes before the Senate.
This stand, in the opinion of Senator
Taft, does not make an isolationst of him.
It constitutes. however, a difference of opin-
ion between himself and others as to how
best to prepare to defend this country from
possible attack by Soviet Russia-which now
claims to have the atomic bomb, claim
which has been verified. at least to some
extent, by this Government and governments
of Western Europe. Mr.. Taft believes in
UulIOulS uP dIu SIIOIlS
American national defense-as long as there
is real threat of aggressive action by
Russia.
Sees Defense In Air Power.
Particularly does he believe in building
up the Air Force. AS he points out Russia
has no navy, beyond submarines. So it is
on the air defenses which he would concen-
trate, believing airpower not only the best
means of defense but also of offense, if
war is thrust upon this country.
Much Of the present difficult situation Mr..
Taft traces to the Yalta Conference during
the war. When he contends. unWise con-
cessions were granted to Soviet Russia.
Russia at that conference, he says mas
queraded as a democratic state. He has
the utmost contempt for those who were
taken in by her.
No. Mr. Taft does not consider himself
an isolationist. Further. he believes that
the majority of his Ohio constituents if
pressed, would admit pretty much the same
stand on foreign policy which he has taken.
The Ohio Senator has been criticized too,
by his opponents for reelection because he
has urged that United States Ambassador
be sent to Spain. They contend that this
allies Mr. Taft with Dictator Franco. But
Mr.. Taft's real interest lies in the fact that
Spain, in the event of war. will be strategic
in the extreme. Incidentally, Senator Henry
Cabot Lodge Of Massachusetts, who has
been anything but an isolationist, takes
the same position as Taft on the matter Of
resuming full diplomatic relations with
Spain.