Evening star., 1961-04-21
Our Duty to Ourselves

AAC 10 Gne eQl-
tors was in a sense, a 20th-century dec
laration Of independence on behalf of
the United States. It was a declaration
which served blunt and timely notice
that, in the final analysis, the security
OF the United States is our primary
concern, and that he does not intend
to neglect it.
OF course, Mr.. Kennedy did not, and
he could not have been expected to, spell
out the details of what he has in mind.
The tactical moves will have to be
adapted to developments, some of
which cannot be foreseen now. But the
broad statement of strategy was plain
enough, and it is simply this: Should it
ever appear that the inter American
doctrine OF non-interference merely
conceals or excuses a policy Of non
action-it the nations of this hemisphere
should fail to meet their commitments
against outside Communist penetration
then want 1t clearly understood that
this government will not hesitate in
meeting its primary obligations which
are to the security of our own Nation"
In word, if imported communism be-
gins to threaten our own security, we
Will take whatever steps are required,
alone II necessary, to put it down.
This is a sharp break with our for
mer stated position, and 1t may come as
a shock to some sensibilities Certainly
there will be criticism of the President,
especially from those whose sympathies
are more or less openly on the side of
Fidel Castro. Nevertheless, it Is a
statement Of policy that marks out
course Of possible action which is amply
Justified by the facts.
Mr.. Kennedy is already being sniped
at by critics in the European press. For
example, the Manchester Guardian, sell
dom at loss for q critical word, has
this to say: Few people have done more
to speed the advance of communism in
Latin America than President Kennedy
in the last few days" This is babbling
nonsense. The advance of communism
In Latin America has been and will be
sped by those who refuse to recognize
the dangers of Communist encroach-
ment, by those who, knowing the danger,
remain afraid to act against it, by those
who conceive 1t to be their duty to ridi-
cule and condemn any suggestion that
Communist force should be met with
force.
1t Is said that arms cannot combat
an idea, that full stomach is the most
effective weapon against communism.
1t Is not our purpose to belittle the
potency Of ideas or the appeal of
abundant food. These things should not
be neglected However, we have Just
witnessed the crushing OF an idea, the
idea OF freedom, on the beaches Of Cuba.
Neither the idea nor the brave men who
carried 1t could match the Communist
tanks, jets and guns which Fidel Castro
brought to bear. And does anyone seri-
ously suggest that full stomachS would
turn back the advance of communism in
Castro's Cuba?
Mr.. Kennedy was entirely right
when he said that power is the hallmark
Of this Communist offensive 1t is naked,
undisguised power-despite those who
refuse to see it. It is successfully en-
trenched in Cuba and 1t will certainly
try to expand throughout Latin Amer
lea. For our part, we think it will require
force to check it, and we welcome what
We understand to be Mr.. Kennedy'S
pledge to use force, as necessary. Those
who are too blind to see this Communist
threat or too timid to face it, those who
cry out that nothing should be done for
fear Of giving offense to this person or
that person, are incompetent counsel
ors If we listen to them all of us, in Mr..
Kennedys phrase, will be swept away
vyith thn dnLnr oF LA;1