Evening star., 1950-11-21
Political Blind Spot
Is Seen in Acheson' S
Fine Legal Mind
Exposed Self to Attack
By FIippont Remark on
'Re-Exuminist' Critics
By David Laurence

son has a nne legal mind and is
a man of genuine integrity, he
has a blind spot on things politi-
cal, including the probable reac-
ton Of Congress to his public
statements.
If the Secretary had had any
experience in political combat OF
debate, he never would have ex-
posed himself to counterattack by
commenting flippantly about his
critics being no longer isolation.
lists but "re-examinists."
, In the first place, it is highly
desirable that any public policy
should be re-examined at any
time to see if it is satisfactory
to the people. Nobody can object
to constant examination or re-ex-
animation, especially of such ar
important matter as foreign pol.
icy. which is supposed to be the
concern of all parties, irrespec-
tive of politics.
OpPVcASAOA oAVWAA8s
In the second place, Mr.. Ache
son has just been the target OF
considerable attack in campaign
in which several Democrats lost
their seats in Congress because o!
the voters severe criticism of our
foreign policy. Immediately after
an election it is usually considered
,tactful and discreet not to pour
salt on the wounds of the de-
feated, much less to give aid and
comfort to the victors who have
used an issue successfully at the
polls.
There is in Congress a growing
opposition to the Secretary of
State among members of the
Democratic Party. This was no
time, therefore, for him to lash
out on the offensive, satisfying
though it may have been to his
inner feelings or emotions. Natu-
rally, Mr.. Acheson is getting sick
and tired of what he believes to
be a series of unjust attacks on
him personally by the critics. But
the rules of behavior in public
life necessitate some concern also
for the feelings of those Demo-
Gratis who have just been through
q grueling campaign.
Likewise, it is probably quite
satisfactory to the Republicans to
have the Secretary of State adopt
a defiant course toward critics of
his foreign policy. 1t postpones
the formulation of any unparti-
san policy and tends to stiffen
the Republicans, too many of
whom would probably be glad to
go it alone if that's what the Sec
retary of State has in mind.
All this comes at a time when
international relations are tense
and when our Far Eastern policy
is in a state of f1ux. It needs
re-examination every day. Several
months ago 1t was thought that,
by appointing Messrs. Dulles and
Cooper to high posts in the Gov
eminent, the bipartisan idea
would be strengthened: Expert
ence shows that. no matter how
many former Senators are ap-|
pointed to the executive depart
ment, the Senators and Repre-
sentatives who are actually in the
Congress decide for themselves
the extent to which they will go
along with foreign policies made
by the Department of State.
One Way for Cooperation.
There is really only one way by
which Mr.. Acheson can bring
about a spirit of real cooperation
It is by inviting in his most Sc
we're critics and sitting down to-
gether with them repeatedly. The
perfunctory Bipartisan" type of
conference, called once in a while,
will not achieve satisfactory re-
suits. The Republicans have COM
planned that they are usually
called in after commitments and
decisions are made and that they
are then asked to ratify them.
It would be much more effective
from the administrations view
point, and certainly less likely to
permit partisan politics to en-
velop the subject, if the Secre-
tary of State consulted directly
with the leaders of both parties
in the Senate and the House.
1t is a task that cannot be dele
gated. BY keeping record of
what happens in these confer
ences, the Secretary will be in q
position to inform the public la
ter on what has been done toward
the evolution of our foreign policy
by both parties.
The initiative in discarding par
tisanship has to come from the
administration, however, and it
has to be wholehearted. Speeches
ridiculing "re-examinists" will dc
more harm than good.
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