Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1951-05-03
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VI @
Truman Within Rights
IN WASHINGTON

bbuUlQU VlIUIu nIkulS
COBER reflection over the his
~ toric and dramatic action Of
President Truman's dismissal OF
General of the Army Douglas Mac
Arthur; the Presidents unheralded
fireside radio and televised talk to
the nation; the political fireworks
and wolf cries aimed at the chief
executive and the repercussions
throughout the world, lead to the
following considered conclusions:
First. and most important-Na-
tional leadership has again been
firmly established in the White
House at time when people had
begun to wonder about that lead
ership.
Second-The foreign policy OF this
nation, particularly with reference
to the far east and Korea was made
crystal clear by the President in
simple, uLmistakable language.
Third-Traditional supremacy of
the civilian over military leader
ship in our democracy has once
again been affirmed and made
clear.
Fourth-General Macarthur, in
the words of his fellow officers in
the Pentagon, had it coming to
him." A lesser officer in Mac
Arthur's own command would have
faced court martial for the same
6isobedience to orders.
Fifth - Certain Republicans,
seeking to make political hay,
will not stop at even making
the aged national hero a pOliti-
cal football. His real friends,
such as Gen. Eisenhower, urge
him to take his orders as a mill
itary man should, without q
whimper. II he does this, he
will 60 down in history as q
great military hero with even
some aura of martyrdom how
ering over him. If he does not,
and enters into a political con-
trOversy, congressional COM
mittees will tear him to shreds
and make Of him a political
scapegoat. for there is no de-
Tense to disObcdience in the mill
itary code.
Sixth-The congress likely will
never vote a joint session to hear
General Macarthur. AS a matter
of fact, he has never told anyone
he would appear before a joint ses-
sion. Neither will demands for
impeachment" of President Tru-
man ever take shape. These de-
mands on both counts, for Mac.
Arthur's congressional appearance
and the Presidents impeachment,
come from the same hard core of
iSofationists in the house and sen.
ate; from the same coterie of 81
senators who egged on the great
debate on the troops to Europe
and finally went down to defeat on
that senseless issue SO to 81. So
kAAChG WILL NC IiO llllPCdSAittiSfAb VA
the President who is well within
his rights and powers under the
constitution. Folks must remember
that the constitution, not the con-
gress. gives the president his in
herent powers as the nations chief
executive.
Seventh-American allies in the
North Atlantic pact. members Of
the United Nations, except Russia.
and her satellites, feel easier about
prevention of new about war as
a result of the Macarthur custer.
The embassies and Legations here
have kept the diplomatic pouches
and cables hot with messages rel
alive to the whole picture and par
ticularly the new" Truman who
spoke with such vigor and angry
infection over television and radio.
Eighth-Despite ones sympathy
for General Macarthur, the Pres
ident pointed out 1.-The cause of
world peace is more important than
any Individual" When and if Mac
Arthur returns home, he will be
given a hero's welcome, for he de-
serves it for his past performance.