Evening star., 1950-01-01
19OO-195O
Continued From Page C-2D

Japan to- abject surrender and
gave the world something to con-
jure with for generations to
come.
| The Second World War in half
century was over. The waste
in human lives and property could
never be measured. The United
States reported almost 280, 900
dead and another $4,000 missing.
The direct monetary cost to this
country was at least $3.50 ,000,-
900, 900.
A cold war" enveloped much
of the world. The United States
in 1946 announced firmer stand
as Russia fabricated an iron
curtain" and cast vetoes wholesale
at United Nations sessions.
The growing struggle between
right and left, communism and
capitalism. and differing deflni-
tions of democracy, were matched
in the United States and else
where by major strikes and bold
political and economic proposals.
This year." President Truman
told Congress in 1916. I'VE lay the
foundations for our economic
structure that will have to serve
for generations"
Goering Cheats Haneman
1t was year of retribution as
well as readjustment. A dozen top
Nazis were sentenced to the gal
lows and seven to long prison
terms by the international war
crimes tribunal at Nuremberg.
Goering cheated the moose by TAX
ing poison.
The trials focused the worlds
horror-struck eyes on evidence of
the worst type of mans inhuman-
ity to man. crimes against hui
manity, against peace. against
peoples. crimes that never could
have been foreseen to disgrace
the enlightened Goth century.
The Truman doctrine" to re-
strain Russia by assisting anti
Communist groups in Europe, and
the Marshall Plan" to help
"peace-making" European ma
tions help themselves, made 1947
memorable in history, although
the final score will not be posted
for years to come.
Truman Fair Deal' domestic
doctrines and party troubles, on
the other hand. plunged the ad-
ministration to its lowest depth
OF popularity. To the surprise of
almost every prophet except him.
self, the man from Missouri gal
loped to victory in 1948 over Gov.
Dewey and Henry A. Wallace, who
had intervened as a Progressive.
Other surprises such as Com
munist spy" testimony and pump
kin papers read at congressional
hearings heightened apprehension
here. Elsewhere. world unrest was
intensified by events in Indonesia,
the new State of Israel, and the
struggle between Communist and
Nationalist armies in China.
The half century closes with
more and bigger questions than it
had at the outset. They deal
mainly with the future of Ger
many, Asia, the British Empire,
currency devaluations abroad and
renewed deficit financing here, the
welfare state" the strength of
'Titoisna." and what will be done
to-and with-atomic energy.
Little did we guess" Winston
Churchill observed not long ago,
that what has been called the
century Of the common man
would witness as its outstanding
feature more common men killing
each other with greater facilities
than In any other five centuries
put together in the history Of the
world"
We. the people of the United
States-almost twice as many as
In 1900-ent 1850 with world re-
sponsibilities and resources greater
than at any time In history. For
richer or for poorer. this Nation
Joins the rest Of the world in
wishing that the second SO years
OF the goth century viii b the
better half.