Evening star., 1949-08-18
Dissents from Mr.. Lawrence's Views
OF Ascendant Military Minds

DlSSenLS from Mr. LaWrence'S views
OF Ascendant Military Minds
To the Editor of The Star:
1t is bad enough to read David LaWrence'S
daily blurb usually favoring the investment
Of larger quantities of steel in a heavier
armored naval force or attacking the Air
Force because it might take appropriations
which otherwise might find their way to
steel interests; but when he pontifcates on
the growth of American militarism and at
tributes the growth to the ascendant posi-
ton of Warlike military minds in the
government, Mr.. Lawrence becomes some
what less than a penetrating analyst of
todays affairs
In his column of August H. inappro-
priately entitled Soviet Chiefs Blamed for
Growing Spirit of American Militarsm, Mr.
Lawrence devoteS the major portion of his
thesis to comparison of the present
American general staff to the old. Prussian
general staff insofar as inflexible adherence
to the dictums of historical military cliques
is concerned. Mr. Lawrence would have us
believe that the military now run govern
ment policy councils openly, without oppo-
Sltion and in such manner as to produce
policy that inevitably will lead to war. De-
crying the lack of antimilitarist groups, Mr..
Lawrence asks sadly, Where are the liberals
of yesteryears?"
Those liberals now reluctantly are sup
porting the militarists in the preparedness
program, not because the liberals have aban-
doned their high and noble principles, but
because most of them realistically recognize
that the only possible means of ever attain
ing their dreams of greater personal freedom
lies in surrendering some personal rights
voluntarily and constitutionally to our own
militarists now, in order to prevent, if
necessary, complete usurpation of all
personal rights occurring after a capftula-
ton to the forces Of the state God" powers.
There certainly is danger when democratic
and free peoples surrender hard-Won
personal rights to the government for any
purpose, noble or ignoble. The increase Of
power in the hands of government exec
utives is vast; and power of its very nature
corrupts. But the very essence of law and
order requires surrender of personal power
of free choice to the extent necessary to
preserve the common welfare. In time of
emergency and tribulation personal consid-
erations weigh little in the balance of the
desperate immediate needs of the group.
When an emergency is at hand, we sur
render our personal freedom as required to
preserve the group. If it is large group.
the very government perhaps. then as loyal
citizens we emulate the signerS OF the Decla-
ration of Independence and mutually pledge
to each other our lives, our fortunes. and
our sacred honor"
This surrender of personal liberty to our
government to met the challenge OF COM
munism unquestionably safes the military
with power. But it is childish to assume
that because the government must now
strengthen the military establishment, that
the military establishment Is ursurping the
power of the government.
Our diplomacy has not been fruitful in
it's dealings with the Soviets. In attaining
the end of preserving and extending the
personal freedom of men, it is becoming
increasingly evident that peaceful politics
will not work. and that we had better be
prepared to engage in the continuation OF
politics by means of force: That is, OF
course. assuming that what we desire to
preserve is more important than peace.
Perhaps we will find that we will be able
to continue politics by peaceful means just
as long as our political adversary realizes
that no advantage can be had by reSorting
to war. Perhaps Mr.. Lawrence will find
that the military thinkers are not so much
warlike as they are realistic. Surely Mr..
Lawrence does not want government policy
made, in these days of hard and fast power
moves, by a bunch of well lntentloned but
11nrealistic liberals? Or does Mr.. Lawrence
really believe the American democracy has
become so atrophied as to be unable even
to grid its lons and assume the attitude OF
defenseo CLAUSEWITZ.
Defends the Language
Of Mr. Tom C.. Clark