Article September 1, 2013

World affairs

Erwin D. Canham

Originally published in the January 18, 1963 issue of The Christian Science Monitor

What is morality in international relations? Woodrow Wilson thought he knew and tried to deﬁne his terms. He was derided by many Europeans.

"You Americans," they said, "are always talking about morals in international relations. What a smug delusion! Keep morality out of it. National interest is all that matters."

Dwight D. Eisenhower thought he knew. He accepted personal responsibility for U-2 ﬂights over Soviet territory, after his subordinates had lied about them. He, too, was scolded for telling the truth.

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