Evening star., 1950-10-19
Truman Speech Reveals
Nothing New in Policy
Statement WeII-Received
By Konsos City Leaders
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

ny NuHSuS lily LeuoeIS
By Gould Lincoln
KANSAS CITY, Oct. 19-President
Truman's speech in San Francisco, fol-
lowing his meeting with Gen. Macarthur
on Wake Island, was well received here,
both by Republicans and Democrats.
They labelled it the strongest statement
the Chief Executive has yet made to So
Wet Russia and possible Communist ag-
gression.
If, as 1t has been charged in certain
quarters, Mr.. Truman made his sensa-
tional trip to Wake Island and his subse-
quent report for political purposes, in the
final weeks of the congressional cam
pa1gn, has the President delivered the
goods? VIII his speech mark a turning
point in favor of Democratic candidates
for Senate and House? Definite answer
to these questions will be made November
when the voters go to the polls.
Nothing New In Policy.
The Presidents speech could have been
written and delivered in Washington
so far as its contents are concerned. It
revealed nothing new in the way of pol
Icy, except perhaps the implication the
United States would fight any new Com
munlst attempt at aggression anywhere
in Asia, including the Island of Formosa,
where the Chinese Nationalist govern
ment Is ensconced.
It Is possible that Gen. Macarthur
was able to convince the President he
was right in his assertion that FormoSa
must not be allowed to fall into hands
hostile to the United States-on the
ground that FormoSa would prove a
base from which Americas defense line
in the Pacific would be jeopardiZed.
That, indeed, would mark a new and
changed line in the administration policy.
1t has been generally supposed, in view
OF the administration past attitude. that
the problem of Formosa would be left to
the United Nations. And until there is
more definite statement that is be-
lieved to be the course which will be
followed.
The White House and the President
have been at great pains to keep domestic
political implications away from his
Wake Island trip. The President, in his
speech, made his own answer to charges
that his trip was made to influence the
elections. Commenting that there had
been speculation about why made this
trip" the President said: There is really
no mystery about it. I went because I
wanted to talk to Gen. Macarthur" And
he said he had discussed with Gen. Mac
Arthur, and obtained his ideas, on how
the United States can most effectively
assist the United Nations in promoting
and maintaining peace and security
throughout the Pacific area. Beyond
that, he did not go, nor did he say how
far Gen. MacArthur's ideas had influ-
enced the character and content of his
strong statement of policy. The pre-
sumption is left, however, that the Presi-
dent and Gen. Macarthur saw eye to eye.
Barkley In Blunt Reply.
Vice President Barkley, in press con-
ference at Denver, few hours before
the President delivered his San Francisco
speech. replied bluntly to Republican
charges that the Presidents trip to see
Gen. Macarthur was political move:
THE Republicans have been complain
ing for months that the President has
not called Gen. Macarthur into confer
ence with him on Pacific problems They
demanded that he, Gen. Macarthur, be
brought back to this country for that
purpose. Now that the President has
visited Gen. Macarthur, they complain
that it's all politics"
The Kansas City Star which has sup
ported Republican candidates for Presi-
dent, editorially praised Mr.. Truman's
San Francisco speech. What he had to
say about Americana Russian relations"
said the Star, perhaps was not especially
new. The circumstances under which he
said it. however should have given his
latest statement of our position the great
est impact such words of warning have
yet carried to the hard-headed men in
the Kremlin." The editorial referred to
the fact that the speech was made in the
Pacific area after consultation with Gen.
Macarthur
In some measure, considered from the
domestic political angle. Mr.. Truman's
strong statement on the threat of Com
munist aggression may have the effect
of lesSening the impact on the voters
of the Republicans Red issue" and their
charges that the administration has "ap-
peaSed" Communist Russia and been
soft" with Communists in this country.
Certainly that is an effect desired by the
Democrats in many States where they
have been placed on the defensive by the
Republican attack. It is the effect which
Democratic leaders have expected, even
If the presidential trip was not conceived
in politics.