Evening star., 1950-11-26

publicans won major victories
Neither group can crow too loudly
at the expense Of the other.
Inquiry among leaders of the
so-called liberal and conservative
Republicans brings a general con-
clusion that the party will be able
to stick together. Further, the
impression is gained that this
will be possible through reaching
common ground-sometimes q
middle Of -the-road ground - or
the many domestic problems
There will be exceptions, but not
disruptive to the party in Con-
gress. In view Of the world sit
uation and Americas position In
it. however, the most important
issue which will confront the two
wings of the G. o. P. is foreign
policy. On that issue the unity
or lack Of unity of the Republi-
cans in Congress hinges.
Indication of Unity
But even there-the foreign
policy issue-unity of purpose may
prevail among the Republicans
One of the most encouraging
signs for such unity is found in
the interview given by Senator
Taft of Ohio, chairman of the
Republican Policy Committee of
the Senate. when he returned to
Washington after his reelection.
Mr.. Taft has been assailed on
the grounds he was an isolationiSt
-and praised because he was a
nationalist. His own comments
however. indicate clearly he is net
seeking to have the United States
avoid its responsibilities or Its
leadership in world affairs. A
man. he said, would be an idiot
to be an isolationist today. He
added he is not opposed to aid
to Europe. II am in favor OF
aid to the Western European
countries" he said. ito help them
conduct their defense" He is not
opposed to more American troops
in. Europe to help it defend itself
Certainly that does not sound
like the accepted meaning of the
term "isolationist."
Senator Taft has declared fol
REORGANIZATION" of the whole
problem of European aid and OF
the military progranl-for two
purposes at least. First, to ascer-
tain the wisdom of the programs.
And second. to estimate correctly
their cost. This has upset Secre-
tary of State Acheson to q degree
that he has labeled Mr.. Taft a
"re-examinist," while leaving the
suggestion that to be a "re-exam-
mist" was just short-if short at
all--of being an "isolationist."
It looks almost as though the
administration was turning its
back on continuance of a BIZ
partisan foreign policy. First,
that rowing ambassador and presi-
dental consultant, w. Averell
Hartman. was sent to address the
AFL convention in Texas, during
the recent campaign. to level an
attack upon the Republican leader
OF the Senate on the ground
that Senator Taft's record hao
been q great encouragement to
the Kremlin and Communist ag-
gression. And then Mr.. Achesor
comes up with this latest attack
Incentive to Cooperate
Senator Taft has made it cleal
he has no faith in the foreign
policy Of the Truman administra-
ton in the Far East-a policy
of which Mr.. Acheson and his
State Department assistants have
been the architects. In that po-
sition Mr.. Taft differs no whit
from the position of the mos
progressive Republicans. Sena-
tor Vandenberg of Michigan, who
has been the great leader of Re-
publicans in Congress on the
questions of foreign policy, has
had no more faith in that policy
than has Mr.. Taft. It is Mr.. Taft's
expressed hope that Mr.. Vanden-
berg will be able to return to his
place in the Senate with the new
Congress and again give the party
the benefit of his advice anc
leadership in that field.
The position which Senator Taft
takes on the question of foreign
policy, both in respect to Europe
and to the Far East, will be re-
sponsible in large part for unity
or lack of unity among the Re.
publicans in the coming Congress
Many Republicans are committed
to the Vandenberg idea-and |.
Mr.. Taft makes too decided a steK
away from that idea-there will
be marked cleavage in the G.. o. P
But Mr.. Taft has so far given NJ
indication he will take such 6
step.
Mr.. Taft has denied he has an,
intention OF seeking a place OF
the Senate Foreign Relation
Committee-and expressed hi
willingness to leave to Senate
Vandenberg In that committee tn
leadership of the Republicans. Tn
Republicans win pick up an ad
ditional seat on that committee
because of the increase in tn
Republican membership Of tn
Senate following the elections
With Senators Vandenberg, Smitl
OF New Jersey. Lodge of Massa
chusettS and either Morse of Ore
gon or Knowland Of California
as four Of six Republicans on tn,
committee, 1t is clear that in deal
Ing with questions Of foreign pol
icy no isolationist views will pre-
vail. There has been talk of /;
contest between Morse and Know
land for the new Republican plac,
on the committee. But to in
formed Republican Senator's tina
does not appear probable. Sena,