Bertie Has a Plan

Tall, dour, diffident Publisher Robert Rutherford ("Bertie") McCormick and his arch -isolationist, Roosevelt-hating Chicago Tribune have been, in the year and a half the U.S. has been at war, active obstructionists. They have sniped and ranted ceaselessly at the President and every phase of the war effort, have publicly doubted the necessity of rationing, have insisted that the U.S. is giving up strawberry jam to assure jam for British breakfasts, that OPA is spying on merchants, that England wants empire-as-usual, that the European war is not our first concern.

Always belittling, always knocking, Publisher McCormick has never offered a plan of his own. Last week, and with his tongue bulging his cheek, he offered one. In an editorial called "States Across the Sea," the Tribune pointed out that the U.S. Constitution provides that "new states may be admitted by the Congress." Then the Colonel said:

"If the British Commonwealth and the nations of Western Europe wish to enjoy closer association with us, and if for our part we wish similarly to link ourselves with them, the way . . . is clear. All they need to do is adopt written constitutions and apply for membership and all we need do is accept them. . . . Great Britain could come into the union, for example, as four States. . . . Canada could constitute another State. Australia, New Zealand and the contiguous islands might form still another. . . .

"For the people of Britain, particularly, statehood would have many advantages. American manpower, industry and wealth would be instantly and automatically available if British territory were threatened with invasion. . . . Britain would have to give up its king, but as his constitutional powers are said to be merely nominal . . . the change to a republican form of government could be made without difficulty. The hand-kissers in this country should welcome the closer relationship if only because it would strengthen their representation in Congress. . .

"The more advanced states of Western Europe that show aptitude for constitutional government might also be included."

No man alive can tell when the gangling, wrangling Colonel is being sincere or just peculiar. His editorial meant probably

1) that he was doing his wanton best to discredit all plans for world cooperation,

2) that he was trying again to offend the British.

The British seemed not so much offended as amused. Said the London Observer: ". . . the Colonel's brave new thought is far from original. In his play The Apple Cart, produced nearly 14 years ago, Bernard Shaw made exactly this suggestion. The Apple Cart was voted quite good comedy."

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