Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-12-09
Stevenson's Status

Why all the fuss about
Am bassador Stevenson's
opinion on Cuban sanctions
differing from the consensus
of the White House inner
circle?
1t Is essential that a pol
icy-maker, particularly the
President of the United
States, be presented with di-
verse opinions and varying
options from which to
choose.
Frankness within the pres
idential advisory elite is no
cause for concern. To the
contrary, 1t is essential. The
cause for concern comes
when these advisers become
Eyes men" and tell the Presi-
dent what they think he
wants to hear.
Randy Jones.
Reference is made to the
Saturday Evening Post arti-
Gle about Mr.. Stevenson'S
position during the Cuban
. crisis. There have been con-
flicting statements, denials,
obScurity and confusion on
this, involving persons in
positions of responsibility,
as reported in the news
papers.
The ordinary citizen is en-
titled to ask, What after all
can anyone expect when the
Administration from the top
down follows a policy of
news management, self-an-
nounced?" Can anyone be
surprised if distortion, de-
ception and public distrust
are the product of such a
policy?
From now on it will be
difficult for the citizen to
believe anything that is said.
In fact, the more that is said
the greater the distrust and
confusion are apt to be.
I would strongly recon-
mend that the people be
told the truth and that this
be the National policy and
the weapon of our defense
and our crusade. Let those
who oppose our principles
and who would destroy us
have a monopoly on news
manipulation.
Ralph r. Will.
NHH
AS frequently happens in
Washington, the real point of
the Stevenson affair is lost in
a battle between the assas-
SINS and a private army of
defenders. The loudest voices
are those of persons who
want Mr.. Stevenson run out
Of the administration because
they suspect he disagrees
with their views and of those
who fight to keep him in
because they think he is a
zealot on their side.
These two groups have one
thing in common: A belief
that there is room in Gov
eminent for only one shade
OF opinion. They pay no res
pect to the fair. sound and
practical method that has
kept the American Govern
ment In business for nearly
200 years while others re-
peatedly turned over, blew up
or lay down and died - to
the principle that first every
body has his say, then all
move forward together.
II either of these factions
got its way, 1t would create
a muscle-bound and impo-
tent Government. The United
states would present the
image OF an inflexible giant,
hopelessly hateful TO vast
segments Of the worlds peo-
pie. Such an administration
would have no room TO ma
neuver in diplomacy. Absorb
ing no thoughts but It's own,
II would enjoy no real power
OF decision, for every move
would be a foregone conclu-
sion: and hearing no crit
icism, 1t could become like
those relationships Of the
past which eventually grew
so onerous that they were
overthrown.
AS for Mr.. Stevenson
whether his views we're good
or not, he seems TO have acted
in the best American tradi-
ton. He voiced his ideas
about the Cuban crisis, what
ever they were. and then went
down the line fighting for the
course decided by President
Kennedy. That his usefulness
has been damaged" as some
say. is hard TO deny; but II
should be added that the