Background information: A widely read essayist and journalist, you published a series of articles called The Cold War in 1947. The publication spoke out against the policy of containment held by President Truman and Mr. "X" (Kennan) and made popular the term "Cold War”.
Mr. President,
You are well aware that I believe
our present containment policy to be neither wise nor effective. My criticism
does not spring from any belief that the Soviet pressure to expand can be
"charmed or talked out of existence." The crisis we face in Berlin is
an excellent example of this. My criticism of containment in general, and view
on how to handle the Berlin crisis specifically, revolves around our need to
regain the initiative in regard to Soviet expansion.
For too
long we have scattered our efforts around the globe, reacting time and again to
real or perceived Soviet attempts to expand their communist influence. This has
been justified with the claim that in ten or fifteen years Soviet power will,
as a result of long frustration, “break up” or “mellow.” This is shortsighted
foolishness and is destroying the character of American democracy as we are
forced to support questionable groups through questionable means all over the
world.
The real issue should be Europe,
as the impending crisis in Berlin is demonstrating. British, French, American,
and Soviet forces are still in place in Germany. These lines were decided at
Yalta. As long as the Red Army remains in place, the threat of Soviet expansion
will continue to be the nightmare of Western Europe and the U.S. Rather than
watering down our efforts through our world-wide containment policy, let us
focus our efforts on the situation at hand: Berlin. If, and only if, we can
bring about the withdrawal of the Soviet Army from Germany to the new frontier
of the Soviet Union–and simultaneously, of course, the withdrawal of the
British and American armies from continental Europe–can a balance of power be
established which can then be maintained. For after the withdrawal, a Soviet
attempt to return would be an invasion — an open, unmistakable act of military
aggression. The power of the United States to strike critical areas of Russia
by air will prevent this from happening.
Our current policy is leading us
to neglect and drive away our natural allies in Western Europe. We are driving
them away by asking them to serve as our puppets in exchange for our support.
Most of all we alienating them with the threat of war! If at any “containment
point” the Russians or Americans become so deeply engaged that no retreat or
compromise is possible, and Berlin seems ripe for just such a standoff, Western
Europe will be the battlefield! We owe too great a debt to too many patriots
within these countries to allow this to happen.
My plea, Mr. President, is to do
what you did so well during the war: regain the initiative by acting rather
than reacting, keeping the “big picture” clearly in view. For too long we have
allowed the Soviets to dictate when and where we respond. Berlin is the latest,
and most fearsome, example of this. Let us allow the world to see the Soviets
clearly by turning the table and forcing their hand this time. As their army
has closed the passages into Berlin, let us turn all our diplomatic energy to
opening passages for ALL occupying armies to return to their own nations.
Rather than rushing to a dangerous standoff over Berlin, one in a long line of
“reactions” to Soviet power, let us renew our efforts to end this Cold War
before it heats up and burns out of control, consuming first Europe, then the
world.
Sincerely,