University of Virginia Library

Protect National Interests

William H. Harbaugh, professor
of American history, noted
that nations do not go to war
to protect oppressed peoples and
preserve freedom, but to protect
national interests and preserve
the international balance of
power.

He continued by explaining
that American leaders from
Teddy Roosevelt to John Kennedy
have warned that military
involvement in Asia is not in the
national interest, and that the
present dilemma developed because
men like Messrs. Eisenhower
and Kennedy ignored
their own good advice.