davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1953-11-13

All is quiet on the Western
front. and the French believe
that If Germany is kept per-
manently diSarmed, there can
be no physical danger from
outside for La Belle France.
War in the Far East? That
is a possibility in which the
French people and their rep
reSentativeS in the government
and in Parliament take only
an academic interest. This is
Americas war and none of
Western >Europe's affair.
The North Atlantic pact it
self does not provide that
Europe should help it's ally
across the Atlantic in the event
it becomes involved in q war
with Russia. There is no rea-
son whatsoever, say Frances
leaders. why Europe should
become involved in such a con-
flict.
France is Fastening to un-
burden her responsibilities in
Indo- China not only because
that war has become unprofit-
able but also because it re-
moves the country altogether
from any involvement in that
fer corner of the world.
The consensus of Frenchmen
in the street and of their
elected representatives is that
Europe is now safe. Americans
have been told repeatedly since
the end of 1850 where Europe
stood in this matter. Although
the troops which Europe sent
to the Korean battlefields were
not withdrawn nor was a
threat made that they would
be-they were not recalled be-
cause it was necessary not to
give a black eye to the prin-
ciple of collective security. But
the White House and State
Department should know by
now from the very frank dec
larations of French and Brit
ish leaders that their forces
will not participate in any
further adventure in the Far
East.
These arguments can be
heard in Paris by all those who
want to listen and sometimes
Evening star., 1953-11-13
00IISt1MIS L1IOWL
The Way Of the French Mind
Nov That Korean Fighting Has Ceased, France
Seems to Feel She Is Sufe From Another Wur
Constantine Brown

PARIS, France (By Air
MaiD All is quiet on the
western front. The Reds east
of the Elbe have muffled the
rattling of their swords. The
price of gold is tumbling in the
Paris black market. and so is
the dollar, to the dismay of the
American tourist who had not
figured on it. Prices in hotels
and restaurants remain the
same as a few months ago, and
they rival those at home.
This apparent improvement
is not due to economic, but to
political factors. While the
Korean war lasted, with even
sporadic fighting, there still
was feeling that it might
lead to something which would
affect Europe. Now there is
supreme confidence among the
French people that nothing
in the international political
scene can draw France into
another war.
The French politicians ex-
pect some drastic cuts in next
years outlays for military de-
fenSe. The neutraliStS are jubi-
liant and go so far as to de-
clare that while the NATO
may have served useful pur-
pose it has now outlived it's
usefulness. Back in 1949 and
1850, they say, it may have
been necessary to prepare
Europe for a last stand. But
the recent changes in the
Kremlin and the limited show
of force on the Rhine and Elbe
Rivers have changed the pic
ture radically.
The Russians, the bulk Of
the French political leaders
say, are now striving to con-
Solidate their holdings in
Europe instead of seeking new
territorial gains in the West.
And although Britain's Prime
Minister, Winston Churchill, is
not a favorite of the French
people, his efforts to bring
about an economic agreement
between the U. S. S. r. and
Western Europe are applauded
as proof of real and far-seeing
craftsmanship.
Evening star., 1953-11-13

Attorney General Brownell's
sensational charge that Presi-
dent Truman's appointment Of
Harry Dexter White to the
international Monetary Fund
followed reception Of reports
from the FBI revealing Whites
Communist connections may
have been made, as Mr.. Tru-
man asserts, as a countermove
to Offset Republican defeats in
the recent elections. The mo-
tive behind Mr.. Brownell'S
move is, however, less impor-
tant than whether or not his
charges can be proved.
But whether or not the
charges. even if substantiated.
will greatly aid the Republic
can Party is a question. Also.
a question is what elements in
the divided party will be aided.
The administration is losing
public support. The American
people usually vote against.
rather than for. They voted
against Truman and Truman
Evening star., 1953-11-13
IT runnons Refusal to Testify
His Right Not to Tell White House Business Challenged
Since He Has Sold His Memoirs to Magazine
Dovid Lowrence-

Former President Truman
has placed himself in an awk-
ward, if not untenable, posi-
tion before the public by his
refusal to comply with a sub
poena from the House Un-
American Activities Commit
tee.
Mr.. Truman says he cannot
be compelled by law to tes-
tify about any events that hap
pened while he held the pres
idential Office, but recently he
contracted with Life maga-
zine, for a price of repeatedly
around 100000, to write about
events which will include the
period of his service in the
White House.
Shall the American people
be denied, by reason Of an ar
bitrary refusal by private
citizen to give it, information
affecting vitality the security
of the Nation-that is. about
the lax procedures that have
prevented prompt detection of
security risks in their Govern
ment? Shall the reason given
by Mr.. Truman to the Congress
that a former President cam
not be compelled to testify
about public matters he ac-
cepted as a precedent now?
For, if so. then every former
official can plead the same ex-
cuse hereafter.
Mr.. Truman was paid a high
salary by the people of the
United States, and what he did
while in Office constitutes in
formation belonging to the
people. There has been a
quibble as to whether it would
have been better to Invite"
Mr.. Truman as a matter Of
courtesy" rather than to sum-
mon him by subpoena, but
the reply given formally to the
House committee now indicates
that Mr.. Truman refuses either
voluntarily or as a result Of
subpoena to give any infor-
nation which the Congress
seeks.
1t is a well-established prin-
ciple of law that, once a wit
ness does give a partial answer
Evening star., 1953-11-13

ton by the Senate took place
several weeks before.
Mr.. Truman's loyalty or
fidelity to his country is not an
issue and has never been. de-
spite efforts of Truman follow
ers here to confuse the matter
by claiming such an implica-
tion was made by Attorney
General Brownell. It was lax
ity in procedure alone to which
Mr.. Brownell called attention.
Incidentally, Lamar Caudle,
former Assistant Attorney
General in the criminal di-
vision of the Justice Depart
ment under the Truman ad-
ministration, now has testified
that on October 13 last he dis
closed to the Senate Internal
Security subcommittee the
existence of the So-called
second" FBI memorandum
about Harry Dexter White.
dated February 4, 1916. He did
so in answer to a question by
committee investigator who
evidently had heard about it.
So Mr.. Brownell could have
made public all the data that
he covered in his speech Of last
Friday several weeks earlier
indeed, during the campaign
itself if he were seeking politi-
cal advantage. The fact that
he did not speak until all the
special campaigns for Congress
were about over is a sign that
he did not, as the Democrats
now claim, act for political
purposes in his timing"
Mr.. Truman had an excel
lent opportunity to put his
case before the people by de-
clining to accept subpoena
but offering to appear vol
UNFAIRLY without subpoena.
Whichever way the testimony
is to be obtained is not impor-
tant, for it seems doubtful that
the Democrats will wish to
permit their former leader to
take the side of concealment
and suppression as against full
publicity of the facts IN his
possession.
Reproduction Rights Reserved.)
Evening star., 1953-11-13
Fletcher KnebeI-
Potomac Fever

Harry Truman refuses to testify in the Harry White spy
It's too bad Truman has phenomenal memory-so
many things manage to get lost in it,
Republican Chairman Vede pospones the Harry Truman
hearing. Velde bit spy BY this
Mccarthy would Broadway the booked
another act.
Senate investigators quiz Maj Harry Vaughan in the
big Vaughan earned his Harry Trumans mill
tary aide-fguring to help Truman defend him.
Vice President Nixon visits Korea. Nixon is hurryng
through Of Oren-pausing only enough
deny what Secretary Dulles has just said about the place
Adla Stevenson tells young Democrats the fed
up with Republican sck talk You catch Adai lodging
issue-not when he out1ank it.
Agriculture Secretary Benson makes veday tour of the
That's just long
about hiand back safely Washington before
prove it.
Government cancels 26-mllion atomic plant
nos worry though We've already got enough
Russians
Evening star., 1953-11-13

by those who do not. They
are expounded in diplomatic
language when the CONVERSE
tions occur between officials
Of both governments. They are
expressed with bluntneSs when
the discussions take place be-
tween Americans unconnected
with the government and
French elected representatives.
Europe. these latter say, cam
not afford to spend her ma
tional income as lavishly as
America in futile military
preparations. Europe cannot
continue preparations for war
even If America provided most
of the funds.
Europe needs a sound econ
omy based on careful husband
ing Of the national income and
particularly on trade with the
countries behind the $50
called" Iron Curtain, the
French representatives declare.
Europe must deal patiently
with the U. S. s. r., whether
America likes it or not. It
must take advantage of the
slightest intimation for better
relationship from the Kremlin
without demanding proof of
Soviet good faith.
This, your reporter was told,
may be called neutraliSm by
some, 1t is, however, nothing
but stark realism. And this
way of thinking is now shared
not only by those who once
were described as neutralists
but by the overwhelming
number of average French
men, be they in private or po-
litical life.
Americas economic and
financial assistance is welcome,
the French say, provided it
does not involve a continua-
ton of uncalled-for greater
military preparation. If it
does, most of the European
countries. it is said. could live
henceforth without American
help. The deficiencies thus
created, the French say, could
be more than overcome by a
substantial trade agreement
with the u. s. s. r.
Evening star., 1953-11-13
Ihonos L Stokes
Asian Stevenson Will Run Aqoin
1852 Candidate Seen as Out Front in Nomination
Race, With Kefouver and Symington Close Behind

That gave him the color Of q
national candidate, which is
helpful, and yet some substan-
tial Southern support is almost
essential If he, a Southerner.
is to win the nomination.
A newcomer to the rank Of
candidates who is looking to the
South for support is Senator
Stuart Symington Of Missouri.
There are reports that he
might become the heir of Rus
sell strength if the Georgian
finds his way blocked again.
Adlai Stevenson will court the
South, too. He is starting soon.
He is making an appearance in
Atlanta later this month. No
vember "a. where he will ad-
dress the Georgia Legislature.
Mr.. Stevenson, who came
through as a dark-horse can
didate in the 1852 convention,
will find himself pitted this
time against the field. He OBJ
viously is the front runner at
this stage and will be the man
to beat. This has both its ad-
vantageS and disadvantages.
Democratic optimism, both
about the 1854 congressional
elections and the 1856 pres
idential election, arises because
of the widely diversified signs
of returning Democratic Party
health which its leaders at
tribute to disappointment with
the Eisenhower adminiStra-
ton They see signs of Repub-
lican desperation and panic in
the attack Attorney General
Herbert Brownell cooked up
on ex-President Harry Truman
which they confidently believe
will have a boomerang effect.
Furthermore, this attack on
the former Democratic Pres
ident makes 1t easier for the
Democrats to operate. 1t lets
the bars down for them to at
tack President Eisen hover
openly and vigorously. It also
discourages cooperation such
Evening star., 1953-11-13
Thomas L. Stokes

Though little noticed, there
was an incident on a televiSion
program recently which was
accepted as proof positive that
Adlai Stevenson has made up
his mind to seek denomination
as Democratic presidential can
didate in 1956-and that he
intends to work hard at it, and
to begin early.
This came in information
from Stephen A. Mitchell,
Democratic National Chair
man, manager of Mr.. Steven
sons 1852 effort. He said that
after the 1854 congressional
elections he would retire as
chairman to devote himself to
working for a candidate for
1856. He did not name his
candidate, but who is in
doubt?
Before that time. Mr.. Mitch
ell naturally will keep him.
self completely aloof from any
presidential politics, devoting
himself to the committees ef-
fort to raise money for next
years congressional campaign
and to help along that cam
paign for a Democratic Con-
greSs in every way possible.
Mr.. Mitchell is well aware that
If he stepped beyond the
bounds of neutrality he would
come under fire from other
candidates, and properly so.
While Adlai Stevenson's in
tentions hardly seemed in
doubt. we may rest assured
now that there is no doubt.
The certainty this early of his
candidacy. along with indi-
cations that others already
are grooming themselves, is
evidence of the optimism prev
alent now among Democrats
about 1856. The 1856 nomina-
tion looks like a valuable prize.
Consequently the competition
- expected to be lively.
Evening star., 1953-11-13

tween reading about events after
wards and living through them
from hour to hour. In Mr..
Eden I had a colleague who knew
everything and could at any mo-
ment take over the entire di-
rection
How could Mr.. Truman know
and weigh the issues at stake at
this climax of the war? Every
thing that we have learnt about
him since shows him to be a
reSolute and fearless man, capa-
BILE Of taking the greatest de-
cision. In these early months
his position was one of extreme
difficulty, and did not enable him
to bring his outstanding quail
ties fully into action"
Evening star., 1953-11-13

ISM" and for "Ike." They
still like Ike" but it does not
follow that they have unabated
enthusiasm for him in his pres
ent office, or for the perform
ance Of the Republican Party,
or that, in another three years,
they may not prefer a Demo-
crat other than Truman for
President.
In times of crisis Americans
want a President. Through
out the administrations of
Franklin D. Roosevelt they had
one. He dominated the entire
political scene. His position
within his party was sovereign.
He lowered high above his en-
tourage. At his press confer
enceS. he was never at a loss
for an answer. He wanted,
he said, the services of "anony-
nous men," And he was elected
again, and again, and again."
The benevolently aristocratic
Roosevelt was succeeded by a
common man. National unity
was disSolving with the end of
Evening star., 1953-11-13

and opens up the subject mat
ter, he can be required to
answer further or be adjudged
in contempt. BY analogy, Mr..
Truman has opened up the
subject matter by a statement
in the press declaring that
when he found out that Harry
Dexter White was "disloyal,"
he fired" him.
The Congress has a right to
have those statements made
under oath and to ask that
the record be supplied which
shows that. even if the resigna-
ton on April z, 1947, by White
was forced" nothing in the
laudatory letter written by the
former President when White
terminated his employment
indicates it.
The Congress and the Ameri-
can people have a right to
know what took place at the
conference which the then
Secretary Of State, James F.
Byrnes. held with Mr.. Truman
on February 6. 1916, when Mr..
Byrnes urged that Whites
commission for his new post
be held up. Who were the
persons present at the meeting.
and why didn't the President
act later as he had seemed to
be willing to act on the Byrnes
suggestion?
The explanation that Mr..
Truman had been advised, as
a matter of legal procedure.
that, once an appointment had
been confirmed by the Senate,
he is in duty bound to issue
the commission seems puzzling
in view of the action that Mr..
Truman himself took through
the late Secretary Matthews of
the Navy, who contended be-
fore the Tydings committee in
1851 that the removal in Octo-
ber, 1850, of Admiral Denfeld.
chief of naval operations. was
legal because the commission
signed by Mr.. Truman had not
actually been authorized to be
delivered to him and had got
ten to Denfeld in an unauthor-
lied manner. The confirma-
Evening star., 1953-11-13
Truman Slated to Tell His Story
Said to Be Planning to Explain His Handling
Of White Case to the American People

law officer and his language Is
important.
So is his role as custodian of
the FBI files, into which he
has dipped for only so much
of his case as he needs. These
are, as j. Edgar Hoover re-
peatedly states, reports. not
evaluations, and they are
catchalls. A rigid correctness
regarding them is the" plain
duty of the Attorney General.
Already the President is be-
ing told that he took in too
much territory in that Wednes-
day press conference which
left him more nearly in Mr..
Truman's camp than in his
Attorney Generals. 1t is al
most a sure bet that he will
be urged to explain" what he
really meant. His retreat from
his original position of nom
participation in State and local
elections is being recalled.
A little-noticed comment the
President made barely an hour
after his bare-knuckles press
conference is also being dis
cussed by reporters here. The
President went from the
conference to lay a wreath
on the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier. AS he left the ceme-
terry, he turned to an aide and
chuckled: THAT press con-
ference was all about White.
That BrowneI sure did stir up
something"
The answer is that Mr.. Brow
nell did, indeed, and that the
consequences are the burden Of
the whole Eisenhower admins
tratiOn.
Evening star., 1953-11-13

The 1853 runner-up, Sena-
tor Estes Kefauver, has been
going through trial heats.
loosening up his voice, limber-
ing up those long legs for the
casual strolls up and down
village streets making friends,
warming up his pitching arm
for the accompanying hand
shake. The Tennessee Sena-
tor campaigned for Democratic
candidates in the special elec-
tions for three House seats in
Wisconsin, New Jersey and
California. He came out, as
did the Democratic Party it
self, with two out of three win
ners, which isn't bad at all.
1t didn't hurt the Senator that
he became identified with win
ming tickets in Wisconsin and
New Jersey. He had oppor-
tunity also to renew friend
ships in three States where he
had large following in 1852.
He has one hurdle-he must
get himself reelected to the
Senate in Tennessee next year.
Prospects for that are said to
be looking up nov. much bet
ter than a few months back.
The South again will be
factor at the 1856 convention.
as usual-more so perhaps be-
cause it provided most of the
States in the Democratic col
umn when the votes were all
counted last year and. at the
same time, it has now become
a battle-ground because of de-
fections to the Republican
ticket headed by Gen. Eisen-
hover. That should strengthen
its claim for a place on the
Democratic ticket.
It's champion last time was
Senator Richard B. Russell of
Georgia. It is presumed he
will be in the contest for the
nomination again. In 1852.
Senator Kefauver had meager
support in the South. finding
his strength beyond that area.
Evening star., 1953-11-13
Doris FIeeson-

Former President Truman
will tell his story of the White
case directly to the American
people. An announcement to
that effect will come mo-
mentarily but the story itself
may be delayed until all the
available records have been
searched.
His Attorney General at the
time, Supreme Court Justice
Tom Clark, will also be heard
from shortly The justice, like
the former President, will not,
however, heed any subpoenas.
Between them they are ex-
pected to develop proof that
an investigation of Harry Dex-
ter White was made, follow
ing charges against him, and
that a grand jury refused to
indict. The author of the Tru-
man doctrine will also deal
rather vigorously with At
torney General Brownell, who
kicked off the rumpus with a
charge that Mr.. Truman
knowingly promoted a Rus
sian spy.
Mr.. Brownell is in rather an
interesting position at the
moment.
When President Eisenhower
got down off that limb on
which the Attorney General
put him by claiming White
House sanction for his speech
last Friday, he left the Attor-
ney General as a replacement.
The President made it clear
that he had only a sketchy
idea of what Mr.. Brownell in
tended to say and he seemed
Evening star., 1953-11-13
Dorothy Thompson
The Republicans in roub|e
Value to G. O P. of Browne Charges Is Questioned;
Porty's Losses in Period of One Year TobuIoted

the war. Truman. who never
had Roosevelt's authority over
the whole Nation, welded his
power through party machines,
and coalitions ofN minority
groups. He inherited an ad-
ministration that had been
fairly well stocked with left
wingers, fellow travellers, and
some outright Communists
during the period when the
Soviets were our great allies"
The country was disillu-
stoned with the results Of
World War II, as the doves Of
wartime political policies came
home to roost as ravens. Presi-
dent Truman was a little care
less about corruption. And he
led the country into q peace
action which became a bloody.
dragged-out war and a mill
tary stalemate. The Nation.
filled with a kind Of inarticu-
late disgust, voted for a new
administration under a great
American.
During the campaign, the
Republican Party's headquar-
ters seemed dominated by
hucksterS who treated major
political matters like products
to be sold.
They promised a solution Of
the Korean war. lower taxes.
stronger defenses, increased
prosperity, the end of controls.
a government of the country's
ablest men cable at what?),
the purging of Communist
sympathizers from govern
ment, the maintenance Of
traditional civil liberties, and
an all-out political offensive
against the Soviets.
Nobody-but nobody-could
fulfill those promises, so con-
Trajectory within themselves.
Korean hoStilities ended.
but in q squalid and inccn-
elusive armistice. Defenses
were augmented but taxes did
not 60 down. and the Rus
slams announced possession of
the hydrogen bomb. Farmers
who had wanted less govern
ment intervention faced fail
ing prices not reflected in
the consumers market. The
anti i-Communist campaign be-
came a monopoly of Senator
Mccarthy and associates in
other congressional commit
tees, embarrassing the Presi-
dents most ardent supporters
and sending liberal independ-
ents scuttling to the Demo-
cratic fold. Pepped-up psyche
logical warfare" won us no
new friends and alarmed our
old ones. The "ablest men"
could not keep their mouths
shut, nor agree that, II they
opened them, they should say
approximately the same things.
And far from standing out
head and shoulders above an
anonymous encourage, the
President is rapidly becoming
the anonymous man in Wash
ington, half tonguetied in the
babel of his surroundings. His
virtues-the purity of his in
tentions, his soldierly devotion.
his old-fashioned liberalism,
his outstanding ability to or
ganize men devoted to q COM
mon cause-are obscured in a
political melee devoid Of direc-
ton.
And the most outstanding
political mind and character
in the Republican Party, Sen
ator Robert A. Taft, has been
withdrawn by death.
All in one wear.