The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-13
Text Of Truman's Speech

forced upon them against their
will. The government of the Unit
ed States has made frequent pro.
tests against coercion and intini-
dation, in violation of the Yalta
agreement, in Poland, Rumania,
and Bulgaria. l must also state
that in a number Of other coun-
tries there have been similar de-
velopments.
At the present moment in world
history nearly every nation must
choose between alternative ways
of life. The choice is too often not
a free one
Will OF Majority
One way Of life is based upon
the will Of the majority, and is
distinguished by free institutions,
representative government, free
elections, guarantees Of individual
liberty, freedom Of speech and re-
hgion, and freedom from political
oppression.
Inc second way Of life is based
upon the will Of a minority fore
IDLY imposed upon the majority.
1t relies upon terror and oppres
sion, a controlled press and radio,
flxed elections, and the suppress.
sion OF personal freedoms.
I believe that it must be the
policy OF the United States to sup
port free peoples who are resist
ing attempted subjugation by
armed minorities or by outside
p%ressures.
I believe that we must assist
free peoples to work out their own
destinies in their own way.
I believe that our help should
be primarily through economic
and financial aid which is essen
tial to economic stability and or
derby political processes.
The world is not static, and the
status quo is not sacred. But we
cannot allow changes in the status
quo in violation of the charter of
the United Nations by such meth
DDS as coercion, Or by such sub
terfuges as political infi1tration.
In helping free and independent
nations to maintain their freedom,
the United States will be giving
effect to the principles of the
charter of the United Nations.
Torfrer;n- DoeuSLtn
1t is necessary only to glance
at a map to realize that the sur
vival and integrity of the Greek
nation are of grave Importance in
a much wider situation. If Greece
should fall under the control Of
an armed minority, the effect
upon its neighbor, Turkey, would
be immediate and serious. Confu-
sion and disorder might well
spread throughout the entire Mid
die East.
Moreover, the disappearance of
Greece as an independent state
would have a profound effect upon
those countries in Europe whose
peoples are struggling against
great difficulties to maintain their
freedoms and their independence
while they repair the damages Of
war.
1t would be an ~unspeakable
tragedy if these countries, which
have struggled so long against
overwhelming odds, should lose
that victory for which they sacri-
feed SO much. Collapse of free
institutions and loss Of indepen-
dence would be disastrous not IN
ly for them but for the world.
Discouragement and possibly fail
ure would quickly be the lot OF
neighboring peoples striving to
maintain their freedom and indie
pendence.
Should we fail to aid Greece
and Turkey in this fateful hour,
the effect will be far reaching to
the West as well as to the East.
We must take immediate and
resolute action.
Ask. s400, oo0, 900
I therefore ask the Congress to
provide authority for assistance to
Greece and Turkey in the amount
Of $500, 600, 900 for the period end
ing June 80, 1948. In requesting
these funds. l have taken into con-
%sideration the maximum amount
Of relief assistance which would
be furnished to Greece out of the
$3.50. 900, 900 which l recently re-
quested that the Congress author
lie for the prevention Of starva-
ton and suffering in countries
devastated by the war.
In addition to funds, l ask the
Congress to authorize the detail of
American civilian and military
personnel to Greece and Turkey,
at the request of those countries,
to assist in the tasks Of econ
%struction. and for the purpose OF
supervising the use of such finan-
cial and material assistance as
may be furnished. I recommend
that authority also be provided for
the instruction n training OF Sc
lected Greek and Turkish person
mel.
Finally, l ask that the Congress
provide authority which will per-
NIT the speediest and most effec-
tive use, in terms of needed COM
modities, supplies, and equipment,
of such funds as may be author
lied.
If further funds, or further au-
thority. should be needed for pur-
poses indicated in this message,
l shall not hesitate to bring the
situation before the Congress. On
this subject the executive and leg
islative branches of the govern
ment must work together.
This is a serious course upon
which we embark.
l would not recommend it ex-
cept that the alternative is rauch
more serious.
s1---I Trk~-.n