Evening star., 1951-04-26
The Political Mill
Events May Put Trumon
Into 81 Election Race
Supporters RdIIying to Side
In Fuce Of Macarthur Fire
By Gould Lincoln

Lie mdICA OI eVSubS Is eQglng freSl.
dent Truman nearer and nearer to q
race next year to succeed himself in
the White House. His Democratic sup
porters, in the face of the popular up
rising in support Of Gen. Douglas Mac
Arthur, are rallying to Mr.. Truman.
They picture him as peace" leader
and his Republican opponents, includ-
ing Gen. Macarthur, as the war party"
Only peace in Korea-and the avoid
ance Of widespread war-probably can
make 1t improbable that Mr.. Truman
will be nominated by his party. If such
conditions exist when midsummer and
the Democratic National Convention roll
around next year, then Mr.. Truman
can, II he desires, gracefully step aside.
AT the same time, If his policies in the
Far East have proved successful, he
may be so strong that his party will
demand his denomination.
The desperate struggle which has now
entered new phase in Korea may give
the answers to many political ques-
tions. Also, the inquiry which the Sen
ate Foreign Relations Committee and
the Armed Services Committee, acting
Jointly, are to conduct into the dis
misSal Of Gen. Macarthur, his military
recommendations for the Korean war,
and before the war started, may play
part equally important.
New Low in Guttersniping.
The Democrats surrounding Mr.. Tru-
man apparently have gone on the theory
that if Gen. Macarthur were "given
enough rope" he would hang himself.
They believe that. despite the great ac-
claim given Gen. Macarthur and his
address to Congress, he helped to slip
moose over his head when he said he
understood that all military leaders, in.
cluding the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ap-
proved his military plans for conducting
the war in Korea against the Chinese
Reds. They have begun smear cam
paign" against the general, both on and
on the floor Of the Senate and the
House, going over his record for years
with f1ne-tooth comb. If they can.
they intend to discredit and demolish
him-for their political purposes. Even
to attempt such treatment of q man
who has served his country to the high
degree that Gen. Macarthur has de-
notes anew low in guttersniping.
Gen. Macarthur, who in his appear
ance before Congress kept the argument
over the Far Eastern policy on q high
plane, may blow the opposition out Of
the water when he speaks before the
Senate committees the inquiry takes
on the partisan complexion which now
appears likely. The rope, intended to
hang him, may tighten about others.
But until he does appear-and at q
public hearing-the SniperS apparently
feel free to shoot him as full Of holes
as they are able.
Administration Under Fire.
Until the dismissal of Gen. Mac
Arthur and the Red drive In Korea de-
veloped in recent weeks, the Truman
administration was under terrific fire
domestically. Charges of political
fayoritism in the loans Of Government
money, of political alliances with the
underworld and of 'unethical adminis-
tration had been widespread. Tempo
rarily submerged, they promise to rise
again as important issues. The Full
bright committee looking into RFC loans
Truman aide, come before it to be ques-
toned on the use of influence. The
Senate Crime Investigating Committee
has been given a new lease Of life.
Obviously, the Democrats, II they are
to have Mr.. Truman for candidate in
1852, will welcome an opportunity to
fight the political campaign over ques-
tions of foreign policy-rather than the
domestic scandals which involve the
administration.
1t is of interest that some Of the men
who have been prominently mentioned
as possible Democratic nominees for
President-in the event Mr.. Truman
should not choose to run-are now de.
nying they are candidates. Both Senator
Kefauver of Tennessee, who headed the
crime committee of the Senate, and
Senator Douglas Of Illinois, a member Of
the Fulbright committee investigating
the RFC, have taken occasion to say
they are content to remain right where
they are-in the Senate.
The Democratic Party-or large part
of it-tried to ditch Mr.. Truman in
1948, but they could find no outStand-
ing candidate to run against him at
the partys national convention. If Mr..
Truman elects to run again next year, 1t
is difficult to see how he could be de.
feated for denomination. Already
number of prominent Democrats-of the
Truman following-have proposed that
the President be a candidate. Among
the most recent was Gov. Scott Of North
Carolina. In making his proposal, the
North Carolinian predicted that when
the Macarthur thing settles down" Mr.
Truman will be stronger than ever.
Maybe!