Evening star., 1951-05-13
Macarthur Held Unupt
TO Attempt Politics
Writer Anticipates Thot 6. .o.P.
Will Nominate Eisenhower
By Fronk R. Kent

Inevitably. the tremendous favoring
popular sentiment aroused by Gen.
MacArthur's return, his speeches and
his Is hours Of testimony before the
two Senate committees created wide
spread talk OF him for tbs presidency.
This has been stimulated by his an
nounced intention to visit a good many
other cities further to express his views.
Clubs have been formed to promote his
Republican nomination. large number
OF persons are for him. Probably If a
vote were taken now he would be over
whelmingly elected. On the other hand,
among Democratic politicians who fully
appreciate the extremely bleak prospect
their party faces next year, there Is
growing talk concerning draft" Of
Gen. Eisenhower.
In all this there is more emotion than
sense and some clear thinking seems
called for. In the first place. two things
appear to nullify the Macarthur idea
One, OF course, Is his own fiat statement
that he definitely has no political am
bition and intends to keep out Of politics.
The other. Of course, is his age. General
Macarthur was II years old on jan,
uary 26 last.
AS to the generals statement that he
has no desire for the presidency and no
intention to try for it (Which is the only
Interpretation that can be put on his
Words, he Is certainly entitled to credit
for as complete sincerity as was Gen,
Marshall when three years ago he said:
I am not available-and will not be
ava1lable-for. any elective Office" Gen.
Marshall meant that fully when he said
II. There Is no reason to believe that
Gen. Macarthur does not mean what he
said just as fully. To doubt it is not only
TO reflect upon the judgment and good
sense OF the man but upon his integrity.
For 1t is still true that no man can bs
drafted for President without an ac-
quiescence that amounts to connivance.
And only the most prejudiced question
the Macarthur sincerity. The impress
stve reply OF Gen. Marshall, the speech
OF the President, the other anti-Mac-
Arthur testimony or the vicious attacks
now being made on him BY admtnistra-
tlon propagandists are not apt greatly
TO diminish the high esteem in which he
Is held by the people In all sections and
both parties. But, at his age and sitter
what he, has said. he Is extremely un-
likely to destroy so fine position by
plunge into politics. A.
AS to Gen. Eisenhower, his age-60-,
Is certainly no bar and he might be
drafted. by the Republicans with
minimum Of acquiescence and con-
n1vance. But drafting him for tha
Democratic nomination would REQUIRE n
degree Of active acquiescence and con-
n1vance that would hardly be decent.
Those Who know him best know Gen.
Eisenhower Is not Democrat and never
has oeen In particular. he is not New
Deal nor Fair Deal Democrat. Neither
the Roosevelt nor the Truman domestic
policies appeal to him.
AT matter Of fact, it does seem rather
appalling that the country should be so
destitute Of civilian material that two
army generals must be nominated for
our highest civilian Office. It is not likely
to come to that and it would be pretty
bad for the national interests if it did.
Despite the great pro-MacArthur senti.
ment. 1t is still more likely the Republi-
cans Will nominate Eisenhower in 1852.
military matters do not eliminate
hlm--as they easily may-Gen. Eisen-
hover can get that nomination. if he
wants it. Most of those who know him
think he wants it. AS for the Democrats. .
they will, Of course. nominate a civilian.
Who the civilian will be is extremely
uncertain. The thing about which there
seems most certainty is that he will not
be Mr.. Truman. The reasons for this
1eeilng Will be presented in a later
column.