Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-03-18
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y
plot the rising tide of national
ism and growing racial tensions
there. Russia is after the vast
resources of the African CONT
nent for its own benefit.
And there is a third area in
which we face immediate and
serious trouble-and that is in
Southeast Asia and in the Far
East. which are in political fer
ment, and where newly indie
pendent nations are being
proved upon by the Communists.
There is grave development
in Indonesia where the rich
natural resources and remark
able skill and aptitudes of the
people have already exposed
them to Communist encroach-
mentS.
The hope of democratic de-
velopment there is threatened,
exposing at the same time the
free nations of Australia, New
Zealand, the Philippines and
Thailand.
IndoneSia is so situated geo.
graphically that it could serve
as a springboard for intrigue
and SubverSion against this
perimeter of free nations by the
Communist masters of China
and Russia
Personal Leadership
In view of these great dangers.
] hope the President at Bermuda
will henceforth exercise personal
leadership in the conduct of our
foreign policy.
1t is impossible. under our
system OF government, to con-
duct foreign policy successfully
by delegation of the President
personal powers and RESPONSE
bility. No matter how able the
individuals to whom the Presi-
dent may attempt to delegate
his powers. it usually leads to
confusion and misunderstanding
with foreign governments and
with our own Congress and
people
When I called in Dean Ache
son to name him Secretary of
State. I said, half seriously, to
him. Dean. you are going to
be Secretary of State. but you
will not be the President. l have
no intention of being my own
Secretary of State at any time,
but under the Constitution only
the President has the power to
make foreign policy.
Il will exercise that power.
! expect you to come to me with
your recommendations. I will
make the final decisions which
the department is TO carry out. :
This policy. faithfully carried
out. helped reduce the margin
of misunderstanding both with
foreign governments. which were
kept closely informed. and the
Congress. which was always con-
suited and briefed in strict BIZ
partisanship.
Britain Needed as Partner
Therefore. beginning with
Bermuda. the President has an
opportunity to resume personal
control which is 50 essential 70
restore to the United States its
position Of world leadership of
the free nations.
At Bermuda, hope the Presi-
dent will undertake to bring
Britain back into full partnership
for our mutual benefit and Sc
curity.
I cannot subscribe to the con-
tention Of some of our experts
and self-designated prophets
that Britain and France are II
decline and no longer can be
depended upon as major powers
These experts would have us
abandon historic friendships or
the ground that we must now
seek out new and rising nations
with which we could build more
firmly for the future.
II I remember my history COR
rectly. the Duke of Wellington
and Lord Russell foretold the
end Of Britain IN the 1840s!
This was sheer nonsense in
the l840s. 1t is sheer nonsense
now. The greatness Of Britain
and France call for no defense
from me or anyone else Their
contributions to democracy, in
dustry and science. apart from
their culture, are so enormous
as TO assure their continuance
as important factors in civiliza-
ton for centuries to come.
They have come through two
terrible wars at enormous sacri-
fees with their democratic in
stitutionS and their cultures
standing firm. We should and
will do everything in our power
to give them encouragement and
support. as much for our own
sakes as for theirs.
Europe's Trouble Spots
A historic development is nov
taking place in Europe - the
putting into action of an age
long dream Of an economically
united Europe in which Britain
and France would play i'm
portant roles. Many of the his
toric trouble spots in Europe
would vanish once this dream
becomes reality.
This would help us to en-