Evening star., 1951-06-24

Stain issued formal statement.
throughout the world,
saying the rumor of any rift be-
tween him and Hitler was just a
dirty capitalist lie, intended to
create disunity between Germany
and Russia and thus unnecessarily
prolong the war. And he was dis
concerted when the German press
and radio were not permitted by
Goebbels even to mention his
spectacular statement.
The truth is that Stain, not
expecting the assistance given
him by the Allies Immediately
after Hitler's attack, and aware
that the German Army was far
better than his own, did every
thing to avoid war with his Nazi
partner.
Lessons Are Lost
These lessons of history seem
to have escaped OUR leaders. They
may be realized by our Chiefs Of
Staff and war planners both in
Washington and in London. But
the diplomats and the civilians
who dictate military strategy at
the present time fear the power
of Russia. They still expect, now
when there can be no doubt about
the Kremlin's intentions. that
Moscow will give some high sign
which will permit them to con-
tinue the diplomatic work which
has proved so fatal to the West
ern world since the end of the
war.
They will not admit that it was
the diplomats and the politicians
who have jeopardized the tre-
mendous victory which the West
ern armies obtained over the Axis.
BY maintaining the myth, popu-
lar with the Axis, that peace
can be obtained by patience and
hard work toward that end, and
regardless of what the aggressors
do or say, the Western diplomats
have built on the ruins of Nazi
totalitarianism a new and un-
compromising Frankenstein-the
Red imperialism.
For the sake Of peace in our
time we have shut our eyes to
the encroachments of the Kremlin
in Central and Southeastern
Europe. We handed over to these
ruthless dictators a major por.
tion of Asia. They now are ex.
panding their grip toward q por-
ton of the Middle East.
The fact is that today we are
playing for keeps. Any illusion
that we can do business with the
Kremlin. and that we can patch
up the differences with the Soviet
government, must be dispelled.
Our Western Allies have been
weakened by two disastrous wars.
in which they suffered far more
than we did. The loss of human
life has deprived them of better
political leadership than that
which they now have. The
destruction of their wealth put
them in the poorhouse. We got
them out. 1t is true. through
generous grants and almost un-
limited "loans" provided in vari-
Gus reconstruction programs. But
having lived in a nightmare al
most continually since 1914. they
are fearful Of the consequences Of
another armed conflict.
Communist agents are taking
full advantage OF this frame Of
mind and are pressing the point
that America is leading them into
a hopeless war with the powerful
and unlimited manpower resources
of the vast Russian empire.
Compromises Eosy
Their political men, like most
politicians Of our generation, are
prone to accept compromises.
particularly when they see that
the one force capable of defeat
ing that Eastern colossus-ths
United States-gives the impress
sion Of being as timid as they are.
The nations of the North At
lantic Treaty Organization so far
have met only few of the commit
ments undertaken when the pact
was signed. Political reasons"
it is explained to Gen. Eisenhower.
have prevented their fulf1llment.
The fact is, according to observers
from Western Europe, that If our
Government had taken a strong
and fearless leadership, leading
instead of following the antics Of
the hard-pressed European politi-
clans, much greater progress al
ready would have been made.
There is not a single military
leader in Western. Europe who
does not think that Western de-
fenses must be completed by the
inclusion Of all countries, which
want to fight Communist imperial-
ism. There is not a single top
ranking general or admiral in this
country or in the West who would
not give his eye-teeth to see the
German, Spanish. Greek and
Turkish armies arrayed on our
side.
The French. the British and
some of the minor Allies object
for political reasons to the in
clusion of these nations in the
Western defense setup. Washing
ton, under the pressure of large
segment of public opinion, makes
vague gestures toward that end.
But it does not follow them up
for fear Of offending the men in
the NATO governments who are
our friends and Allies. Yet some
Of these would welcome having
their hands forced" by the
American Government, either di-
rectly or indirectly.
A friendly but determined at
titude on the part of our Governs
ment would change things radi.