Montana labor news., 1945-05-24
HENRY ]. KAISER ON
AMERICAN-S0VIET
POSTWAR RELATIONS

The address by Henry J. Kaiser print
ed herewith was made on Nov, 16, 1914,
at a Madison Square Garden meeting
attended by 10000 people, under the
auspices Of the National Council OF
American-Soviet Friendship Inc Speak
ers at this meeting, conmemoratng the
eleventh anniversary of the establish
ment of diplomatic relations between the
United States and the Soviet Union, in
cluding Secretary of State Edward R.
stettinius, Jr. then acting secretary, i,
Soviet Ambassador Andrei A. Gromyko
and the British Ambassador. the Earl of
Halifax.
Mr.. Kaisers address follows:
welcome this opportunity to share
with you an occasion, the chief purpose
CT which is to celebrate a decade of good
will. We are a relatively youthful mem
Der of the family of nations and such
should have some humility even in our
appreciation.
Russia's emergence as leader in the
van of political evolution may be a
uniue instance among the events of
modern history From an ancient civili-
zation, composed of so many diverse
races and cultures, to make bold ad
vance into the practice of social politics
is situation without parallel
The Drama of New Russia
Throughout these ten years Of growing
confidence between the United States
and the Soviet Union, the drama of the
New Russia has continued to unfold. It
is the story of the rise Of a great nation
from the repressions and injustices of a
feudal society to a social consciousness
which has astounded the world. 1t is
the release of a great people from ig-
norance and fear. It is scientific achieve
ment, second to none. It is art, music,
and the humanities, vibrant and vigor-
Gus with the spirit of the new day. It
is an industrial revolution accomplished
in the brief span of fifteen years. It is
the birth Of an exalted patriotism on a
gigantic battlefront, where sacrifice is
told in millions of lives.
Historians, philosophers, playwrights,
authors, and orators will tell this story
with conviction and eloquence. But if,
today, as a plain citizen, were asked
why Russia has accomplished all this,
would reply that it is because her people
all of her people-belieye that Russia
belongs to them. It is theirs to build, to
defend, and to enjoy.
! Sometimes I wonder whether our con-
cept of a nation is sufficiently broad.
We talk about nations in terms of poll
tics, boundaries, treaties, and trade bal
ances. If only we could begin thinking
about people, about millions of human
beings. Why can't we think of Russia
as ITO million people with hopes and
longing like our own? Why can't VIC
think of her as a great region covering
one-sixth of the land surface of the
globe, which could sustain all Europe and
much of Asia in comfort?
Our Kinship With the Russians
Why can't we proclaim the many par
allels in our destinies; vast areas, rich in
resources; a people bred strong and virile
from many racial stocks-for Russia,
like our own land, is a melting pot; a
people released from bonds Of dead ira
ditions, free to experiment in the realm
of ideas, free to venture in the realm Of
ideals; a people endowed with the gift
Of space elbow room, room to breathe,
room to think room to grow to full
stature.
I am glad Russia thinks We have done
good job, glad she has confidence in
our experience. am not concerned
about her ideOlogies or her politics I
have faith enough in democracy to be-
lieve it can hold its own in any fair
trial.
Let me speak for a few moments on
what seems to be one of the finest Of
the many compliments which the Soviet
Union has paid us. BY and large, she
has accepted the technical pattern Of
our industrial production Our tech
niques have helped her to supply and
maintain a magnificent army and to
mount a continuous offensive against
terrifying odds. Efficiency engineering,
mass production, large-scale enterprise,
subsidized research, and all those vital
methods which have sustained us in
peace and in war, have been deemed
good in the eyes of the builders Of the
New Russia
Russia's Great Industrial Future
archaeological advance in the Soviet
Union preceded the war, and even the
preparation for war. The accomplish
ments under the immense pressures of
defense and offense can be described by
only on word: miraculous. It is there