The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1953-04-06
THE WORLD
TODAY
BY JAMES MARROW

W<Ao11ArN6lON vi - what the
gimmick? That's the immediate
reaction in American minds to
Russian peace talk.
In the past week the Russians
have talked more peace than at
any time since the start of the
Korean War almost three years
! ago.
It instantly makes this country
ask: Do they mean it? How long
would peace last? What are the
Russians really up to?
They have so poisoned thinking
here by their tactics that any
expression of good intentions by
them gets response of skeptic-
ism and wariness.
While he lived Stain kept the
Korean War going. Was that bright
or stupid, from the Russian view
point?
Stalin's successor, Malenkov,
must have thought his tactics, at
least, were stupid since he began
changing them after taking over.
At least he has been talking that
way. It's too early to tell if he
really means it.
What did the Russians accom-.
plish by starting the war at all?
They got the answer to a ques-
ton: Would the West fight to stop
that kind of aggression? If the
answer had been no, the Commu-
nists could have taken over Asia.
They got the answer fast: Yes.
What else did they accomplish?
They chewed up thousands of
American lives on the battlefield.
But this was only a tiny dent in
total American manpower.
They also forced this country to
use up a lot of materials that were
shot up in battle. And, because of
the war, this country suffered some
initiation.
What harm did the Russians
suffer by the war, as seen from
here? For one thing, they started
this unprepared country toward
big rearmament.
The fear of what might come
next forged tight alliance be-
tween this country and its Western
allies, made them all re-arm, got
them all better set for a big war
If it came, and thrust the u. S.
into true leadership of the West.
There was growing danger in
this for Russia if il didn't really
look forward to world war but
hoped for conquest by other and
more sly methods: One sudden
and unexpected incident might pull
the trigger on World War III.
And Korea also pushed the West
into greater prosperity, even
though some of it, or maybe much
of it, was artificial because it was
helped by the big arms program.
II there had been no Korean War,
If the Western economy had been
allowed to seek its natural level,
it's possible there would have been
far less prosperity, perhaps even
depression, which is what the
Russians hope for.
What do the Russians think they
can accomplish by peace? Maybe
they figure this way:
With peace in Korea and Russia
acting like dove, the Western
Allies will slo wdown or stop their
arming, resume their own ancient
rivalries, perhaps quarrel and
thoroughly split while America
loses its role Of leadership.
Further, sudden stop in re-
armament might dislocate the
western countries economy so bad
ly they'd 60 into 4 taisspin. There's
not much reason for Communists
to go to war II they think they
can take over from within in de-
preston.
After World War II there was
mad scramble in this country
by the people. Congress and the
government leadership-to disarm.
The Russians didn't.
II peace comes in Korea the
people. Congress and the govern.
ment leadership once again will
undergo a test Of their GOODNESS and
vision. And such a test might not
be long in coming. The Russians
may be thinking Of that right now.
This Is why: The Eisenhower adj
ministration and the Republican.
controlled Congress is extremely
anxious to cut spending. balance
the budget, and reduce taxes.
II there were no real need for
military preparedness. big cuts
could be made IN Tie Defense De.
partment.