Narrowing the Gap
In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 324, Heft 1, S. 49-55
ISSN: 1552-3349
Two sources of ideas on international affairs are the scholars and newspapermen, and the diplomats. The for mer offer judgments which are arrived at freely and objec tively ; the latter test the practicality of an idea or solution. There should be a balance between the ideal and the practical. In order to avoid war, we should try to find ways to bridge the gap between the Communists and the Free World; but we should also be aware of the dangers inherent in compro mises and conciliations. The ways of free people cannot be sacrificed. Korea exemplifies in a practical way the gap which divides the world today. The reunification of the country is a vital problem; and the right to free elections is the inalien able right of all Koreans—North or South. The Communist fear of encirclement is not a valid one since in all its long history Korea has never been an aggressor. To narrow the gap in the world today, we must determine "which side repre sents a tolerable way of life." The West cannot sacrifice its principles of freedom for "to do so would be to eliminate the gap by being swallowed up in it."—Ed.