The Case for Ike

Statesman John Foster Dulles, after a two-hour conference with the Republican nominees, more sharply than anyone else to date stated the heart of the case for Eisenhower and against Stevenson:

"Foreign policy is and must be a major issue in the campaign . . . The trend of present foreign policies is to put our nation in the greatest peril it has ever been in in the entire course of our national history. At the end of the second World War, Russia was a relatively weak and terribly devastated country. The United States had unprecedented power and prestige in the world. Since then, the balance of power has been steadily moving against us.

"One-third of all the people of the world are already consolidated under the Soviet dictatorship as a hostile force against us. The remainder of the world, which we call the free world, is held together very precariously. The Russian leaders have been picking up the free world piece by piece. If this process goes on, there will be a balance of power against us so great I do not think general war can be avoided, because the Communist leaders will then have a good hope of victory.

"I am absolutely convinced that General Eisenhower, by reason of his experience, stature and prestige throughout the world, and the policies I feel confident he will pursue, will check that trend.

"I believe he alone can check it.

"I have a very high personal regard for Governor Stevenson. In the past, we have been associated together in some matters.* But I must in all honesty say that he lacks the experience, the stature, and the power of decision in great world matters which is necessary to save our nation."

What did Dulles mean by "power of decision," a newsman wanted to know. Said Dulles: "I do not believe anyone without past experience in making grave decisions can all of a sudden be qualified to make the type of grave decision that is going to be required in this twilight zone between war & peace. General Eisenhower, as a result of his experience, has developed and demonstrated that capacity. It is at least highly problematic whether Governor Stevenson has the capacity."

Could Dean Acheson take credit for a revived spirit in Western Europe? Replied Dulles sharply: "I think practically all the credit for the somewhat improved morale in Europe goes to General Eisenhower." Things are at their worst in the "areas of the world where General Eisenhower had no responsibility . . ."

What are the main differences between the Democratic and Republican attitudes toward foreign policy? "One [difference] is that the Republicans advocate a global, balanced policy which will treat the peoples of the Far East, Middle East and Africa as equal and first-class members of the free world and not as second-class expendables, which is the Administration policy. The second difference is that we will abandon the policy of containment and will actively develop hope and resistance spirit within the captive peoples, which in my opinion is the only alternative to a general war . . . We will assume a psychological offensive and not be satisfied with a mere defensive policy that demonstratively will not work."

* Both have served on the U.S. delegations to the United Nations.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.