Evening star., 1951-07-07
The Political Mill
The Political Mill
Major Political Impact
Seen if Truce Is Signed
Trumon Decision to Run Again
Hinges on Peace or War
By Gould Lincoln

Oy 0outo Lincoln
The result OF the cease fire conferences
in Korea and subsequent settlement (if
the armistice takes place. promises a
major political impact on this country.
In the first place. If there is peace. Presi-
dent Truman may not run to succeed
himself. On the other hand if war con-
tinues, there seems no doubt the Presi-
dent will have to run.
Furthermore, If there is peace in
Korea, and leSSening of the tension
between the democratic nations and the
Reds. the availability of Gen. Dwight D.
Eisenhower for a presidential nomina-
tion will gain ground rapidly. The re-
verse may be true. if war continues.
The need for Gen. Eisenhower to re-
main as commander of the NATO forces
in Europe might keep Gen. Ike" out
OF the political picture
How Some Leaders Argue.
Some Of the Democrats close to the
President argue that the Chief Execu-
tive can retire at the close of his present
term as great and successful architect
OF world peace, If the Korean war shall
have been settled, with consequent in
crease in the influence of the United
Nations. The U. N. came into being dur
ing Mr.. Truman's first year in the White
House. In addition, the North Atlantic
Security Treaty was written during his
administration, and also the pact among
the American republics What more could
the President desire, they ask Further,
ne would be living up to the spirit of the
anti-third-term amendment to the Con-
stitution. now in effect
Those Democrats who figure in this
way admit there will be pressure from
other members of the party for the
President to run, on the theory that
Mr.. Truman would again be very strong
with the voters. They admit, too. that
Mr.. Truman may have a desire to re-
main in the White House and fight
further for his Fair Deal program, which
mas been hamstrung in this and the
last Congress. Even so, they doubt that
Mr. Truman will run-if there is peace.
II Mr.. Truman takes himself out of
the race, there will be a scramble for
the Democratic nomination, with Sena-
tors Douglas OF Illinois, Kerr of Okla
homa and Humphrey of Minnesota
among the candidates. A story that the
President will himself nominate Gen.
eisenhower on the. Democratic ticket.
which has been kicking around for
weeks, is given little credence-although
Democrats admit that the President has
great admiration and personal liking for
the general.
Tempo of Drive Increases.
There has been an increase in the
tempo OF the drive to nominate Gen.
Eisenhower on the Republican ticket.
Republicans supporting the proposal say.
however, that it is proceeding quietly and
without fanfare which might embarrass
the general. Their effort at present is
to keep important party leaders from
piedglng themselves to another potential
candidate-Senator Taft of Ohio. Gov.
Warren OF California or Harold e. Stas-
sen, for example. The utmost confidence
is expressed that Gen. Eisenhower will
at the proper time align himself with
the Republican Party, and also that
he will be available" for the Republican
presidential nomination.
On one point the Democrats seem en-
tirely agreed-they do not want to see
Gen. Eisenhower nominated for Presi-
dent by the G. o. P. They profess their
belief they could defeat Senator Taft
with MI. Truman, and they suggest that
II the Republicans should overlook Gen,
Eisenhower and nominate the Ohio Sen.
ator, and Mr. Truman should not him
self be candidate. they could persuade
Gen. Eisenhower to accept a Demo-
cratic nomination.
The Democrats insist that Gen. Eisen-
hover has gone along with the Truman
foreign policy and that therefore he
would be acceptable to the President.
What they overlook, however, is that
Gen. Eisenhower has taken a very diff
ferent view Of the domestic policies of
the Truman administration. This would
make him acceptable to Southern Demo-
Gratis, but scarcely to the Fair Dealers
in the North and West.