Evening star., 1950-04-03

Wrong Toctics Of 6. O. P
Force Administration to
Widen Breach With Soviet
By David Laurence
There was and is chance for
real opposition by the Republican
Party to the foreign policy Of the
present administration so as con-
ceivably to prevent a third world
war. But the Republican leader
ship in Congress is muffing the
opportunity.
While it is, Of course, important
to rid the Government Of Com
munists and of anybody else who
improperly furnishes information
to any foreign country, it is more
important to direct criticism
against policies that might lose
the "cold war" for the United
States and bring on a "hot war"
The Republicans in Congress
are not giving laid and comfort
to the Russians. and it is regret
table that President Truman made
any such statement. For the
truth is that the Democratic ad-
ministration by It's intransigent
attitude is failing to grasp the
opportunities for constructive
peace settlement, while the Re-
publicans are, If anything, doing
more to harden the administration
against an understanding with
Russia than to comfort Stain.
Majority Is Responsible.
It is preposterous for admins
tration officials to cry out about
laid and comfort" to the Kremlin
Just because the Republicans are
bitterly anti-Communist. What
the Republicans are doing is the
very opposite-they are charging
that Russia, through its agents.
has Influenced the tragic defeat
for American policy in the Far
East. Such a charge. if true. could
only serve to postpone recognition
of the Government now in control
of China and keep the administra-
ton from making an overall
settlement with the Soviet govern
ment throughout the world.
The responsibility for foreign
policy under the American system
must remain with the majority
party, but there is no reason why,
by public discussion, an opposi-
tion party should not attempt to
exercise its influence for good. The
people can judge for themselves
the merits of political maneuvering
The Presidents statement could
be construed as meaning that
criticism of the administration
must be stified. initiating to a de-
gree the one-party system of con-
trolled thought which the totali-
tartan countries have introduced.
The Republicans have a chance
to analyze the Inconsistencies and
blunders Of the administrations s
foreign policy. Russia has cap
tured China through the mistakes
Of the American Government.
During the five years of the Tru-
man regime there have been four
Secretaries of State-Stettinius,
Byrnes. Marshall and Acheson.
This is an average of a new secre-
tary nearly every year. This can
hardly bring continuity or CO.
ordination.
Baruch Plan Approved.
The real weakness is that the
President delegates too freely to
his Secretary of State and doesn't
bring into his councils men of ex-
perience and judgment who can
help steer the ship of state. The
latest suggestion Of Bernard M.
Baruch that a board of disinter-
ested citizens should be set up
and given governmental func-
tion OF an advisory nature on
total peace" policy is a good one,
but it could be valueless unless
the President gives more time
and thought in the future to in
ternational problems than he has
in the past.
The demand of the country is
to find a way to peace. The off
cial line" is that this can't be
done. The Republicans have had
an unexampled opportunity to
compel consideration of peace
plans. Instead, they make mat
ters worse by driving the admin
istration into a position where it
must prove that it is more anti
Russian than are the Republicans.
This can only mean stimulus to an
armament race and more atomic
rivalry and finally war that
could bankrupt America.
The Republicans are practical
men-but they seem to have
missed a chance to bring their
practical sense to bear on a prob
lem that Is costing SIS billion q
year In a program that still may
not prevent the $3.50 billion pub
lie debt from soaring $1O0 billion
. year If war should break out.
What a chance for an opposition
party leadership that will reflect
the Nationwide and worldwide
demand for peace!
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