The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1950-08-03
News dnd Views ....


By ALEXANDEl
Ten years ago this nation was
engaged in earnest discussion over
the issue of direct American par
ticipation in World War ii. The
position that United States inter
ests would best be served by keep
ing out of the European fracas was
as convincingly defended by many
Americans as it was passionately
denounced by others. However,
when japanese aggression took the
decision out of our hands, the ma
tion whole-heartedly united behind
the Roosevelt Administration. The
task of demonstrating to the world
the almost inexhaustible capacities
of our economic potential blotted
out all differences of opinion. The
underlying causes, however, re-
mained.
Now, the nation finds itself again
confronted with the same dilemma.
But where, decade ago, men bit
terly argued over the best possible
means to combat and ultimately
defeat totalitarianism, none of
these doubts seem visible at this
moment. The fateful decision with
regard to Korea, and American
willingness to accept all the risks
of fighting 5000 miles away be-
cause, in the words of the Chief
Executive, a "basic moral prin-
ciple" was at stake, have been
strenuously affirmed by the people.
Whatever hesitation exists is due
to apprehension as to whether Am
erica might not be compelled to
spread it's forces too thin and by
wasting our strength and resources
in skirmishes imperil the great
principle we seek to uphold.
\ \ j.
Yet listening to the Presidents
radio address and reading his pro-
gram for partial mobilization and
what may we'll be the subordination
of all civilian life to the demands
of a regimented war economy, one
cannot help but wonder whether
the underlying causes of the con-
flict so dramatically portrayed be-
fore Pearl Harbor are not still
with us.
Little as the present tension
lends itself to dispassionate ap-
praisal of all the circumstances
eliminating in the Far Eastern
crisis, it is pertinent to ask wheth-
er the issue in Korea really war
rants full-scale American commit
ments and their concomitant of
playing, whether we like it or not,
into the hands of the Moscow con-
spirators.
In other words, might the inter-
ests of the United States and the
future of its citizens not best be
safeguarded by building our
strength, militarily and economic
ally, to highest levels without,
however, setting out on crusade
(perhaps ardently wished for by
the Kremlin) that imposes heavy
sacrifices without commensurate
gains? This is the question that
must be faced and squarely met.
Former President Herbert Hoov-
er in a radio address in memory
of that true American liberal,
William Allen White, touched in
cisively on some half-forgotten as
poets of this recurrent debate. I'm
fortunately, the general press of
the Eastern Seaboard has not seen
fit to print his remarks in full or
to comment upon them.
To correct this oversight, at least
in so far as the labor press and
the working people Of America are
concerned, quote portions from
this great address. In recalling thel
past at this time and placing
things in their proper perspective,
the nations only living ex-Presi-I
dent has rendered one more service
to the American people in this hour
of national and worldwide peril.
"When," Mr.. Hoover said,
"the Second World War cast
it's dread shadow over the
earth, he (W. A. White-Ed.)
and |, until Pearl Harbor, were
opposed to Americas joining
in. that war. When war came
we both gave undertaking sup
port to our government. Mr..
White was no isolationist. He
was not only devoted to world
organization to preserve peace,
but he did much to secure aid
in materials for Britain so that
Hitler should not triumph. We
were stiffly challenged in that
great pre-war debate :.
X X =
THAT debate had many facets,
one of which has a direct bearingl
Tla% ooao-,..ial