Evening star., 1947-06-17


our pledge to aid free and indepen-
dent nations to maintain their free
doms, or our commitments to aid
in restoring war-torn economies. In
such an atmosphere of uncertainty
these nations might not be able to
resist the encroachment Of totali-
tartan pressures.
We must not let friendly nations
60 by default.
A few days ago, I sent to the Con-
gress report outlining a program
designed to provide this country
with the military strength required
to support our foreign policy until
such time as the growing authority
Of the United Nations will make
such strength unnecessary. That
report was prepared by an advisory
commission of distinguished citi-
zens, one of whom was President
Dodds. The commission reported
its belief that the United States
should have small professional
armed forces. These should be sup
ported by a reserve of trained citi-
zens, derived from carefully
planned program of universal train
ing for young men. Without such
training, in the opinion of the COM
mission, we cannot maintain effec-
tive reserves. Hence the commits
sion regards universal training as
an essential element in balanced
program for security.
Necessity Justifies Training.
Universal training represents the
most democratic, the most econom-
ical and the most effective method
of maintaining the military strength
we need. It. is the only way that
such strength can be achieved with
out imposing q ruinous burden on
our economy through the mainte-
nance Of q large standing armed
force. Is, sss.s~4s .seNH s--s-'-s -,
The justfficatiorl Tor universal
training is its military necessity.
However, it Is matter of deep con-
Germ to me that the training pro-
gram shall be carried out in q man.
ner that will contribute materially
to the health and character Of our
young men. I am certain that the
kind of training recommended in
the report of the advisory commits
sion will not only make our youth
better equipped to serve their coun-
try, but better mentally, morally
and physically. The experience of
living together and fulfilling COM
mon responsibility should strength
en- the spirit of democracy. 1t will
be an experience in democratic liv-
ing, out of which should come in
increased measure the unity so ben
ef1cial to the welfare of the Nation.
We must remember, above all,
that these men would not be train
ing in order to win a war, but in
order to prevent one.
I am confident that our educa-
tional institutions understand the
need for universal training and rec
ognize 1t as q vital responsibility of
citizenship in our day.
The obligations of our educational
institutions which I have been dis
cussing are great, but In the world
today there is a still greater obli-
cation. It Is the obligation of service
to all nations in the cause of lasting
peace.
Supreme Task for Education.
There can be no greater service
to mankind, and no nobler mission,
than devotion to world peace.
The course has been chartered.
The Constitution of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization states the
basic truths by which we must be
guided. That Constitution reads: l.:
"Since wars begin in the minds of
men, 1t Is in the minds of men that
the defenses Of peace must be con-
structed."
The construction of the defenses
of peace in the minds Of men is the
supreme task which our educational
must set for themselves.
This convocation Is a symbol of
what our educational institutions
can do in the cause Of peace. It
marks the end Of great series OF
conferences, attended by scholars
from all over the world, who assem-
bIed here for free discussion of the
most challenging problems facing
men today.
The special significance Of these
meetings is that they restored bonds
in many fields of learning between
our own and other lands-bonds
which had been impaired by the
war. The resumption Of meetings