Why America Is Losing Her Allies [1951]

The newspaper The Wichita Beacon wanted an explanation of the hostile reaction overseas to United States policy since the outbreak of the Korean War. In seeking to provide such clarification, Russell answered with unstinting frankness. In his critique of President Truman’s foreign policy, Russell registered some familiar objections to its non-recognition of Communist China and continued backing of Formosa. The tragic misunderstanding which has been developing between the United States and the rest of the free world is due to a conflict between different moral principles, sincerely held on both sides. If there is to be a war with Russia, it would be as well to win the war. It can hardly be hoped that the war will be won if American policy has been such as to alienate all non-American powers. India, Pakistan, and the Arab States have been somewhat hesitant, having had experience 40 of Western imperialism and being as yet not sufferers from the imperialism of Moscow.