Evening star., 1951-01-14
Would Have Acheson
Forget His Critics
Writer Says Supporters
Do Secretary Horn
By Fronk R. Kent

Secretary of State Dean Acheson, the
most controversial figure in our public
life. is scheduled to make another speech
next Friday. Those who, despite his de-
fects and mistakes, regard Mr.. Acheson
as an able and wholly patriotic man and
are convinced that if forced to resign
the chances are against his successor
being as good, feel worried about this
speech-and for two reasons.
One is that recent Acheson utterances
have increased rather than diminished
the personal hostility toward him. OF
course, he feels like striking at those he
considers his foes. but, his friends say,
1t would be better If he could manage
TO restrain this impulse and, at least,
free his discourses from the heavy
sarcasm to which he Is addicted. I'm
questionably this tendency has enhanced
the savagery of his critics. @
The other reason is that the forth
coming speech is to be under the auspices
OF the so-called Americans for Demo-
cratic Action. This is an intensely
partisan organization whose members
regard those who fail to accept their
views as idiots or williamson both.
Chiefly, 1t is largely dominated by lob
holders of the Roosevelt administrations
and the highly colorful members of the
Roosevelt family. The personnel is ex-
clusively New Deal. Fair Deal and Left
wing. In 1t are most of the more virulent
ol tne hoover haterS in the country,
Inc character OF the ADA, plus the
olSposltlon OF Mr.. Acheson to regard the
hoover proposals as the worst sort Of
attack upon him (Which it distinctly was
not, would indicate the possibility that
the New York meeting may develop into
a grand assault upon Mr.. Hoover and
those who subscribe to his ideas. This
would be bad for him and bad for the
country Already there has been. too
much distortion of Mr.. Hooyer's words
ana TOO much viciouSness in the criti.
cism Of Mr.. Acheson. One of the few
outstanding Republicans who supported
the League OF Nations and one of the
earliest advocates of the United Nations.
it is as absurd to call Mr.. Hoover an
"lsolatlonist' as to suggest that Mr..
Acheson is sympathetic with commu-
nlsm. The bitterness felt toward the
Hoover proposals by Administration
spokesmen is wholly out of proportion
to the differences between their views
and his. -
Since the Hoover speech, both French
and British journalistic and political
voices have been raised to agree with
MIN that those nations were not doing
all they could or should. and that the
disposition to count upon the United
States for unlimited aid does exist.
Actually. since the Hoover speech.
France has increased her armament
appropriation by billion dollars. No
secret is made that the prime purpose
OF General Eisenhower's present trip is
to convey personally the idea to our
allies that we are not satisfied with their
contribution to military defense. that
there is belief here that some of them
are dragging their feet; that the ex-
tent of their willingness to make
sacrifices for their own defense win be
the measure of the aid they get from us.
The logic of this is that il somehow
they do not do more than they have
done or plan to do, continued aid from
us will not be possible. Beyond doubt.
General Eisenhower will express these
views tactfully, but there is every reason
to believe he will express them clearly.
1t is not easy to detect any basic differ
ercc between what he is expected to
say privately to our allies and what
MI Hoover said in public. Considering
these things, it would seem the part
OF wisdom for Mr.. Acheson on Friday
night to forget about his enemies. If
he does that it would seem an oppor-
tunlty to promote unity and allay
bitterness.
p Probably Mr.. Acheson has been hurt
as much by his friends as by his foes.