A Lead to America
It would have been surprising if all the adjustments to so momentous an event as the statement-of the Truman Doctrine could be made in a day. But so far there has not been the slightest sign of hesitation or turning back. President Truman's Jefferson Day speech not only confirmed the impression that his original move was deliberate, confident and determined ; it also contributed very materially to his own reviving political reputation in the United States. Combined with it the sterling pronouncements of the Republican Senator Vandenberg, whose already impressive stature among his countrymen has also been increased in the past few weeks, help to produce an impression of national solidarity and responsibility which is the best foundation for America's venture on the unfamiliar ground of world politics. Both the President and Mr. Vandenberg went out of their way to emphasise that the new policy is not intended to weaken the United Nations in any way, and there is no reason whatever to disbelieve them. Mr. Truman, like most Americans, quite clearly sees that so great a burden cannot be carried by the United States alone ; and Mr. Vandenberg has given the most tangible pool' of good faith, in his proposal that the ; Security Council should have power to pass judgment on the way in which the United States' funds are spent in Greece and Turkey. It now remains to put the doctrine to the test, and the first step is to get the necessary measures through the Senate intact. Any unnecessary delay, and any attempt to reduce the President's powers of-quick action, by requiring him to come to Congress for sanction
on every detail of expenditure, must weaken the elect of the original action and weaken the faith of the world in American determination. The Senate has its opportunity to set an example to all Americans.
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