Evening star., 1951-10-13
The Political Mill:
Bitter 6. O. P. Struggle
Is On Over Nominee
Every Argument Being Used
To Keep Eisenhower Abroad
By Gould Lincoln

Keep Eisenhower" in Europe Is the
Macedonian roar going up from throats
of Republicans who are backing other
candidates for the Republican presi-
dental nomination Of 1852.
OF course. the reasons they give pub
licly for demanding that Gen. Ike be
kept at his post Of supreme commander
OF the NATO forces have nothing to
do with presidential politics-they use
every argument they can find to dem
onstrate that Eisenhower is indispensa-
bic in his present position; that the
NATO armies would crumble if Eisen-
hover left Europe and returned to this
country to run for President-and prob
ably be elected.
Senator Brewster Of Maine, an ar
dent supporter of Senator Taft of Ohio
for the G. o. P. presidential nomina-
tion. on Thursday rose in the Senate
and made an almost impassioned plea
that Gen. Eisenhower stay in Europe
This is not a new suggestion so far
as the Maine Senator is concerned.
He made almost identical, although
not so lengthy, remarks when he re-
turned from visit to Europe last sum-
mer.
Quotes Bernard Baruch.
He quoted Bernard Baruch as saying,
too. that Eisenhower should remain in
Europe. 1t happens, however, that Mr..
Baruch has denied saying that Gen.
Eisenhower should not run for Presi-
dent, which necessarily would mean
a return of the general to this country.
There are Democrats. too. who would
like to see Gen. Eisenhower stick on in
Europe and not become a Republican
nominee for President. These gentlemen,
like Senator Brewster, are hoping for the
nomination of Senator Taft on the Re-
publican ticket, believing that should
the Ohioan be nominated, President
Truman would surely run against him
and would defeat him. Indeed. the story
has come directly from the White House
that Mr.. Truman has said to callers:
If they nominate Taft, I'll run and
beat him" 1t is said, too, Mr.. Truman
embroidered his statement.
The idea that the Taft supporters will
have influence on Gen. Eisenhower-in
his decision whether to run or remain
in Europe-is bit fantastic. The elec-
ton OF President who has been ex-
tremely critical of the rearming and re-
habilitatlon programs by this country
for Western Europe. would scarcely be
calculated to give Eisenhower any Joy
whole heartedly committed as he is to
the rearming of Europe as a bastion
against Russian aggression. Predictions
from DemocratS-that if Taft were
the Republican nominee, Eisenhower
would run as Democratic candidate
against him, have been heard in the
past. But Democrats have now given up
any idea that Ike is a Democrat, or
would accept Democratic nomination.
Morse Quick to Reply.
Senator Morse, Republican, of Oregon,
did not let the grass grow under his feet
when Senator Brewster made his Senate
statement on Gen. Eisenhower. Follow
ing almost Immediately in the debate,
the Oregon Senator said:
Il can we'll understand why certain
forces within my party would like to keep
Gen. Eisenhower in Europe. do not
share their point of view. I believe the
overwhelming demand on the common
men and women of America for politi-
cal leadership in the White House which
will unity the country will be heard with
such increasing vigor in the months
ahead that it will be clear not only to
Gen. Eisenhower but to our friends
throughout the world that the greatest
service he could render. not only to the
country, but to the free peoples every
where. would be to run for the presidency
of the United States"
Obviously, bitter struggle is building
up in the Republican Party. Some Of
the Taft followers do not follow the more
gentle path of Senator Brewster in their
attack. but have already started throw
ing verbal brickbats at Ike. If the Re-
publicans expect to get anywhere in the
coming election. they had better pipe
down, and not tear down the strongest
candidate they can offer.