Evening star., 1950-07-27
Peace or Butter Seen
Choice of Our People
U. S. Fights for Time in Koreu
With Major War in Offinq
The Political Mill
By Gould Lincoln

This country is fighting for time in
korea-against part of Korea. What
would the situation be today if we were
engaged in major war against Soviet
Russia? The prospect is convincing manv
Americans there is no time to lose. If we
are to fight at ALL
Bernard Baruch, who has advised the
American Government on mobilization
in two World Wars. is calling for about
economic mobilization of the United
States. Controls, he insists, are the need
today-not tomorrow or the next day
and they should cover not only alloca-
tions and credit, but prices, wages and
rents. Mr.. Baruch demands these con-
trolls for one purpose alone-to make the
country militarily strong. His whole
thesis is based on belief that we will
mobilize militarily and completely.
The present objective of all-out mo-
bilization, military and economic, is peace
peace which we have failed to win
ever since we won complete victory at
arms. principal reason we have not had
peace is the complete demobilization
which followed on the heels of cessation
OF armed hostilities. Had this country
hung on to its Army. Navy and Air Force,
"SN AA"SC A4dO PCdCC1 dIlu 4du1IlS GIldL we
would have been in a position to defend
ourselves and force peace.
Nation Does Not Want War.
The country does not want war-it
does not want complete mobilization at a
terrific cost in dollars and cents. But it
will accept complete mobilization for the
sake Of peace, and it will demand that
the billions expended be spent to build
up primarily our own armed forces and
their equipment.
President Truman has wisely recon-
mended some controls, has wisely set
about building up again the armed forces
OF this country. Many Americans have
realized for considerable time that the
world has been sitting on powder keg,
which might explode at any instant. The
Red attack on South Korea, however.
has brought the light to millions more.
The President should go further.
Mr.. Truman has for years now rec
commended that Congress enact a law
for universal military training. But
Congress would have nothing to do
with it. Had the Presidents plans been
put into effect Immediately after the
close of the last war. it would have
had two results-the country would be
far better prepared for national de-
fense, and the Reds would have been
far less likely to start a war. A pre-
pared United States might have pre-
vented the Second World War-prepared
before Hitler moved into Poland. A pre-
pared United States today-provided we
waste no more time-may prevent World
War III.
Fortunate Twice.
The American people were fortunate
twice. They were given time to arm
themselves after the First World War
got underway. They were given time,
too, after the Axis powers delivered their
attack in Europe and the Far East, to
prepare for the Second World War. Be-
cause of the strength of Britain and
France, they had this time. Today,
there are no longer strong buffer states,
ready to turn back the Red army, once
1t gets underway. We have been aid
ing these countries to get back on their
feet both economically and militarily.
Indeed. the very rearming of these coun-
tries may influence the Communists to
aggressive action now.
Peace or butter" is the choice Of
the American people and the Ameri-
can Congress now, Mr.. Baruch declares
and if they chose "butter"-the easy
and pleasant things of life-they may
have no peace and miss entirely the
enjoyment of their butter.