Evening star., 1947-11-17
Continued From First Page)

Is the result OF the combined eHOft
Of thoughtful men Of two continent
whose concern has been the mos
effective manner in which 16 Euro
pean nations, Western Germany ant
the United States can work to-
gether for European recovery, worle
prosperity and lasting peace.
1t is a tribute to the strength
of our democracy that we are abl'
to make so great a contribution tt
the freedom and welfare of othel
nations and other peoples. Thi
Nation is strong both in materia
resources and in the spirit of it!
people. Our economic strength, borr
of our system of free institutions
has contributed to raising th'
standard of living the world over
Our moral strength, resulting from
our faith in human rights, is tht
inspiration Of free men everywhere
refer to the strength of this Ma.
ton with humility, for it is an awe.
inspiring truth that the manner ir
which we exert our strength now
and in the future, will have a de-
cisive effect on the course of civil.
Zation.
This is a truth whose significance
grows with the experience of each
passing day. The American people
are becoming more and more deeply
aware OF their world position
They are learning that great re-
sponsibility goes with great power
Points to Opportunity.
Our people know that our inf1u-
ence in the world gives us an op-
portunity-unmatched in history
to conduct ourselves in such man.
ner that men and women of all the
world can move out of the shadows
of fear and war into the light oi
freedom and peace.
We must make the most of that
opportunity.
For We have learned, by the costly
lesson of two world wars, that what
happens beyond Our shores deter
mines how we live our own lives
We have learned that if we want
to live in freedom and security we
must work with all the world fol
freedom and security
Human misery and chaos lead te
strife and conquest.
Hunger and poverty tempt the
strong to prey upon the weak.
Twice within this generation we
have had to take up arms against
nations whose leaders. misled by
the hope of easy conquest, sought
to dominate the world.
Sees Aid as Step TO Peace.
We are convinced that the best
way to prevent future wars is te
work for the independence and well.
being of all nations. This conviction
guides our present efforts, and will
guide our future decisions. We have
participated fully and gladly in the
growth of the United Nations ano
we seek now to strengthen and i'm.
prove it. We are assisting free ma
tions who have sought our aid In
maintaining their independence
We have contributed large sums tt
help rebuild countries devastated
by the war. We have taken the lead
in breaking down barriers to world
trade.
In our efforts, however, tc
achieve the conditions of peace, we
have encountered unforeseen ano
unwelcome obstacles.
We have found that not all ma
tions seem to share our aims OF
approve our methods. We regret the
differences which have arisen anc
the criticisms so loudly expressed
And yet we cannot afford, and WE
do not intend, to let current diff
ferences with some nations deter
our efforts to cooperate in friendly
fashion and to assist other nations
who; Hike us, cherish freedom anc
seek to-, promote the peace anc
stability of the world.
Urges Prompt Interim Aid.
The actions of this Government
must be of a stature to match the
dignity and influence of the United
States In world affairs. The prompt
provision by the Congress for inter
i'm aid will be convincing proof tc
all nations of our sincere determi-
nation to support the freedom-lov-
ing countries of Western Europe In
their endeavors to remain free ano
to become fully self-Supporting once
again.
If that action is followed by the
enactment of the long-range Euro
pean recovery program, this Con-
gress will have written a noble page
in world annals.
T have spoken of the economic
and moral strength of the United
States and of the way in which we
must use that strength if we are tc
build a world community of free
strong and independent nations.
The strength of the United States
is not due to chance. 1t is due tt
the wise decisions and bold actions
taken by free and courageous mer
throughout the history of oul
democracy.
The time is at hand for new
decisions and new actions of equa
wisdom
On several occasions during the
past year I have reported to the
Congress and to the Nation on oul
general economic situation. Thest
reports have told of new high level:
of production and employment
Farmers are producing 81 per cen
more than in 1929. Industry is pro-
ducing IS per cent more. In term
of actual purchasing power, thu
average income of individuals, aftel
taxes, has risen 80 per cent. Th'
rapid growth of our postwar eco
nomic activity has enceeded expec'
tationS and has revealed anew th'
potentialities of our economy.
Cites Imitation Threat.
In each of my reports, however,
have had to warn of dangers which
lay ahead.
Today imitation stands as an omi'
nous threat to the prosperity We
have achieved. We can no longer
treat infation-with spiraling price:
and living costs-as some vague con-
dition we may encounter in the fu'
ture. We already have an alarming
degree of imitation. And even more
l.