Evening star., 1949-02-17
North, Atlantic Pact
To the Editor of The Star:


From the obscure viewpoint of small
suburban home with nice yard in which
three little boys play and to which each eve
ming q very expendable husband returns, I
am wondering what is happening to Amerl-
can power It is becoming clear that the
day is not far off when the unhappy man
upon whose shoulders the onslaught Of the
worlds most beastly war was thrust and
whose death notice appeared in small print.
Neville Chamberlain, will be vindicated.
And vindicated by our Vandenbergs and
Connallys.
Mind now, I'm just the lady in the apron
at the door who processes no knowledge OF
legislative phraseology. but I wonder why
they are so shy of pact against aggression
with the remaining and tremulous free coun-
tries of Europe In the first place, none of
the coups so far consummated have been
labeled "aggressions. The world has peace
fully accepted the diminishing numbers OF
sovereign states because we have chosen to
believe, officially, that not shot was fired.
So why let down the ones less strong and
much closer to danger now by choking on
the term aggression?
Let we., the people. begin to hear again
the voice of our statesmen speaking reso-
lutely. decisively. with not gingerly step in
any direction. In the present heavy burden
of diplomacy let us initiate some of the
moves.
If this pact fails in Congress, we will have
shown weak and frightened face to
watching world and will have lost that much
more of the mammoth strength which it Is
our responsibility to use toward the forces
of freedom and good. If such is any longer
possible, the United States alone has the
power to speak up with the conviction nee
essary to redirect events back to world Sc
Tf 4sS@%1 ~, ffatio mn
certainty, then all is lost and, in time, the
situation will invade the personal life of
America, taking the expendable husband or,
appeasement continuing, the three little boys
now playing in the yard. MRS. V. F. B.
To the Editor Of The Star:
All thinking and serious minded Ameri-
cans must view with considerable dlsmay
the recent statements attributed to Senators
Vandenberg and Connally by the press.
refer to the statements on the Senate moor
recently with regard to their alleged prom
ises" that in the coming North Atlantic
Pact the United States would assume no
legal or moral commitment to go to war.
What think was intended by the two
elder statesmen, speaking for both major
American parties was that it would be nee
essary under our Constitution, for the Con-
gress to declare war and that such actlon
could not be considered automatic under
the terms of pact.
This is a far different Interpretation from
that put out by our press. Also this un-
fortunate press attitude has succeeded IN
creating new fears and misunderstanding
abroad as to our honorable intentions and
courage as a nation in facing up to our
inexorable position as world leader OF the
free nations We must at all times be pre-
pared to implement to the fullest extent
necessary any promises honorably agreed to.
If the North Atlantic Pact is emasculated
of an American commitment legally and
morally to 20 to war, then the one thing that
will restore courage and initiative to West
ern Europe will have been eliminated 10
our eternal disgrace as mature western
power" All the ECA billions in the world
could not make up for the assurance tnat
America says what 1t means and means
what it says, and is willing to fight for its
commitments, honorably made. If necessary.
ANY public statements or press suggestions
to the contrary do our people gross dis
service and give aid and comfort to the
enemies of freedom Actual force or quick
botential force is the only ultimate and
meaningful factor in diplomacy. Words ana
wishful thinking are meaningless substitutes
for meaningful action. A military guaran-
tee on our part is an absolute necessity TO
implement and give any real meaning to the
North Atlantic. Pact. If we are sincere In
our efforts to defend and bolster democracy,
there can be no hesitation on the part of
any of us in support of solid measures
toward that end. No one desires war. but
there are many things worse than war. SUCH
as cowardice and dishonor Americans al
ways have and always will be willing to
fight for cause they believe in.
PUBLICUS.