American Foreign Policy
President Roosevelt once said that "perfectionism no less than isolationism or power politics may obstruct the paths of international peace." In this generalisation there was the usual hatd core of practical politics, for Roosevelt, like any other American politician dealing with foreign affairs, had to steer between the twin dangers of a crude attempt to apply American methods and standards to the whole world and an equally crude rejection by the American people of the policy of the Administration. These dangers are still present, but it is becoming increasingly clear that the former is going to be more real than the latter in the next few months. Every move by the State Department gives evidence of a carefully planned policy which recognises both the power and responsibility of America and the freedom and integrity of the rest of the world. The Truman Doctrine, whatever its shortcomings, was not a sudden whim. It takes its place in the development of a policy whose outlines become clearer every day. Last week Mr. Marshall referred to the new planning division of the State Department, which is hard at work on an estimate of the economic needs of the world, in the course of which it will consult other countries. He also indicated that the various projects for assistance and relief, to which there is no imme- diate intention of adding, now amount to about $1,600,00o,000, all of which will have to be appropriated by Congress shortly. On Monday President Truman filled in another part of the plan by asking Congress to pass a Bill authorising him to enter into a series of agreements with other American States for the training and main- tenance of their forces and the provision of arms. Thus, side by side with the broadest schemes for economic assistance and the narrower plans for action at the outposts in South East Europe and the Korea, goes the strengthening of the hemispheric defences. So much is being undertaken at one time that it will probably be beyond the power of the next Congress and Administration, which may be Republican from top to bottom, to reverse all of it. At the moment the checks and balances are being applied at every point, and not one item in the State Department's programme is going un- challenged, but such a powerful tide cannot be turned back.
