Evening star., 1952-01-09
Not Big-but Big Enough

Inc GlSeIuOWer QdckeTS uluSL De engaged,
figuratively speaking, in measuring with care
and precision the loopholes in the 1948 state
ment by which the general removed himself
from presidential consideration four years ago.
Those loopholes were neither numerous nor
large. But they should be big enough, with
careful management, to enable the unwilling
Eisenhower of 1948 to emerge, assuming that
he gets the nomination. as the Republican can
didate of 1852.
The 1948 statement took the form of letter
to Leonard v. Finder, New Hampshire pub
Usher and Eisenhower booster. There were three
key expressions in that letter, which, with en-
phasis supplied, follow:
"It is my conviction" General Eisenhower
wrote "that the necessary and wise subordina
tion Of the military to civil power will be best
sustained and our people will have greater con-
fdence that it is so sustained, when lifelong
professional soldiers, In the absence of some OBJ
Uious and Overriding reasons, abstain from seek
ing high political office" Then, after stating
that there was no dearth of men fitted for ma
tional leadership, he added: "On the other hand,
nothing in the international or domestic situd-
ton especially qualities for the most important
office In the tuord man lD1toSe adult years haze
been spent In the countrys military seruice. At
least this is true in nly case" In this same letter
General Eisenhower also spoke Of his doubt that
he could phrase "f1at refusal" without appear
ing to violate that concept OF duty to country"
which calls upon every good citizen to place no
limitations on his readiness to serve in any deSig
mated capacity.
Is General Eisenhowers latest announce
ment inconsistent with the conclusions he set
forth in the letter to Mr.. Finder?
On the first point, if his hackers prefer not
to point to any "obvious and overriding reasons"
they can say that the general is not seeking the
nomination, for that was stated twice in the
latest announcement. (What they will say If
he gets the nomination and starts campaigning
is another question) There should be no seri-
Gus trouble with the third point, for the Eisen-
hover announcement spoke of the efforts of
Senator Lodge and his associates to put before
the general "a duty" that would transcend his
present responsibilities. Senator Taft's friends
may want to know why willingness to accept a
nomination becomes duty in 1852 when it was
not duty in 1948, but the chances are that
sufficient answer to that will be forthcoming.
The second conclusion in the letter to Mr..
Finder may prove to be the most troublesome.
Having put himself on record in 1948, General
Eisenhower, or his supporters, must now take
the position that (1) there is dearth of quail
fed men in 1852, or (2) that there is something
in the international or domestic situation this
year that especially qualities for the most i'm
portant Office in the world man whose adult
years have been spent in the country's military
service.
That could be tough one for the Eisen-
hover strategistS. If they should be pressed on
the point however, they might be well advised
to meet the question head on, and to say that
there are number of things-which should be
Had o,,% in ,o+I %ba iptor ofi
mestic situations which General Eisenhower is
singularly well equipped to deal with. They
would not risk much by such stand, for if the
people do not believe this or cannot be per-
suaded that it is true, then the Eisenhower band
wagon is going nowhere in any event