THE NATION: Fowl v. Arms

“Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so -we might after a special manner, rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labors. These four, in one day, killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms . . .”

So wrote Edward Winslow, from the Pilgrim colony at New Plymouth on the first Thanksgiving in 1621. This week, prosperous and powerful beyond Pilgrim Winslow’s wildest fancies, the U.S. could give thanks—and wonder whether it had not too much to be thankful for.

No less than the Pilgrims, 1951’s U.S. lived in a state of danger. The Pilgrims, however, built their fort before they feasted. Had 1951’s U.S.? Should the U.S. be living so well when so many gaps in its defense were plain to see? In many items, notably aircraft (see BUSINESS & FINANCE) U.S. defense lagged far behind schedule. Meanwhile, did one U.S. garage lack a new automobile because the factory was turning out tanks? Did one U.S. roof lie bare because radar was needed more than television sets?

Some of America’s associates in mutual defense were also having grave difficulties, partly because of the conflict between arms needs and the pressure for a higher standard of living. To seek a way out of the growing crisis in Western defense, many U.S. leaders, including Acheson, Lovett, Harriman and Bradley, had gathered in Paris, journeyed out to Marly to consult with SHAPE’S General Dwight Eisenhower. The problem with which they wrestled cast a shadow over Thanksgiving rejoicing.

Perhaps the U.S. in 1951 had too much fowl, too little exercise of arms.