Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-01
Constructive Critic

SENATOR Mike ManSnelQ OF montana
Is to be commended for his Tuesday adj
dress on foreign policy Although he at
tackled the administration with a number
of partisan oversimplif1cations, the great
bulk of what he said was objective in tone
and plainly reflected the views of Demo-
cratic critic sincerely seeking to be con-
Structive and cooperative. In that sense,
he set an excellent example for those
party colleagues of his whose sole objec-
tive seems to be to pull down Secretary
Dulles and make a political football of
international affairs.
BY way Of contrast, Mr. Mansfield,
who is himself conscientious and highly
competent student of foreign policy, has
made clear that he takes very dim view
of such politicRing. To begin with, rec
ognizing that the world Is passing through
a perilouS period full of tremendously
complex problems, he has been at pains
to emphasize his own belief that Mr..
Dulles, along with President Eisenhower,
has worked tirelessly to safeguard the
interests Of the United States as he sees
those interests" At the same time, how
ever, the Senator has expressed deep
dissatisfaction with the administrations
handling of several crucial issues, and he
has declared that the Senate needs ito
bring the whole international situation
not merely the Middle East-into perspec-
tive. To the extent that we believe
foreign policy as advanced by the exec
utive branch is inadequate, Intellectual
or ill-adapted to the needs of the Nation,
then 1t is incumbent upon us to state our
beliefs 1t is incumbent on us to dissent.
And 1t is incumbent on us to advise
constructive alternatives when we do
dissent"
AS far as the Middle East is con-
cerned, Mr.. Mansfield has supported the
essentials OF the So-called Eisenhower
Doctrine, which the House has over
whelmingly Endorsed. But he has urged
the Senate to enlarge upon that resolu-
ton with two additional points. One of
these would stress the Stop-gap nature
OF any type of American aid and recon-
mend an immediate redoubling of efforts
to solve the regions basic problems. And
the second would have our Government
call upon the United Nations to curb the
shipment of Soviet and other arms to the
area. Further as for tension and trouble
elsewhere in the globe, the Senator has
warned that actual or potential situations
are comparably critical and that the adj
ministration must do everything possible
to anticipate and control events with firm
policies, including particularly policy
to strengthen the shaken unity Of the
West. Above ALL he has exhorted the
President to exercise "clear, continuous
and constructive leadership ;. which will
point the way toward peace in world
where there is no peace"
Some of the points made by the
Senator are open to challenge. Taken
as whole, however, his speech certainly
deserves the most careful Republican
attention. This is the more true because
Mr.. Mansfield, who is his partys whip in
the Senate, has made a special point Of
pledging that strong presidential initia-
tive and all efforts to improve our coun-
try's international position will not lack
for responsible cooperation from the
Democratic majority in Congress" The
administration would do we'll not to turn
deaf ear to criticism expressed in such
a gratifying nonpartisan spirit.