Evening star., 1950-08-22
Korean War op issue
In Election Campaign
Foreign Policy in Far East
Is Chief 6. O. P. Turaet
The Political Min
By Gould Lincoln

Rarely has political campaign been
thrown into greater turmoil than that
Of 1850. Two months ago, the issues
were building up between the Democrats
and Republicans almost entirely on do.
mestic lines. Came the sneak attack on
South Korea and precipitation Of this
country into war under the United Ma
tions banner and the picture has changed
almost in the twinkling of an eye. For
eign policy in the Far East as directed
by the Truman administration, has be-
ccme the principal target Of the G. o. p.
It promises to remain the big issue until
election day.
The Democrats. on the defensive, have
been trying desperately to build up their
defenses and to start a counter offensive.
Usually in "off year" elections, when only
members Of Congress and State officers
are battling for preferment. local issues
play important parts in the campaign
Individual candidates, in different
States, shape their own campaigns. Buf
this year the war, its causes, its attendant
higher taxes and controls overshadow
everything.
Real Point Of Attack.
Over the last week end Republicans of
the Midwest and Rocky Mountain States,
meeting in Des Moines, adopted reso-
lutions demanding the ousting Of Secre-
tary Acheson and Of Secretary Of De-
tense johnson, alleging that the first
had been responsible for policies which
gave the Reds encouragement to attack
in South Korea, and that the second had
failed to keep strong the armed forces
of the country. 1t was Republican Ma
tional Chairman Guy George Gabrielson.
however, who put his finger on the real
point Of the Republican attack when he
said: Perhaps no better scapegoatS
could be found, but who appointed Ache
son and Johnson?" The answer, Of
course, is President Truman.
Governor Duff Of Pennsylvania, the
Republicans hard-hitting candidate for
the Senate seat now held by Senator
Myers, Democrat, at the same time was
criticiZing what he termed "the soothing
syrup from Washington on the Korean
conflict"
"A policy Of complete vacillation by
the United States in the Far East"
commented Gov. Duff. sis directly re-
sponsible for the present situation. We
can lose the war in Korea, and in spite
Of all these mistakes. we are going to be
asked, by the Democrats. to avoid chang
ing horses in midstream."
Party Move In New York.
In an effort to get the political cam
paign in one important State. New York,
back to more normal proportions, the
Democrats have succeeded in throwing Q
mayoralty election in New York City into
fight by the simple expedient Of kick
ing Democratic Mayor William ODwyer
upstairs into the American Embassy in
Mexico. A good mayoralty fight in the
big city should bring out whale Of
vote, and that, the Democrats figure.
will be to their benefit and help them
elect senator and governor.
In still another important State, Ohio,
the Democrats and their allies in the
CIO and AFL are trying to confine the
issue largely to the Taft-Hartiey labor
act in an effort to defeat Senator Taft.
Republican. Out in Iowa, the Demo-
cratic senatorial candidate, former Un-
dersecretary of Agriculture Loveland is
beating the bushes for the so-called
Brannan farm plan. There is large
question. however, whether any of these
attempts to get away from the foreign
policy and war issues will be really ef.
fective.
The administration has one big chance
in its try to retain popularity with the
voters-a real victory in Korea between
now and November Z, election day. The
Republicans are just as strongly COM
mitted to such a military victory as are
the Democrats. They have promised to
support-and will support-all steps to
win this war,