Evening star., 1947-03-06
Truman Says U. S. Has Choice
Of Leading Other Nations Into
World Economic Peace or War
Blasts Tariff Policy
AS Big Factor in
Depression Of 1905
(Tert ON Page A-26.)
By Joseph A. Fox
Star Stoff CORRESPONDENT

by Joseph A. FOX
Star staff Correspondent
WACO, Tex, Mar. 6.-Presi-
dent Truman declared solemn
ly today that the United States
must decide if the world is to
have economic peace or economic
war. Stopping here en- route to
Washington after a three-day
visit to Mexico City, the Presi-
dent told an audience at Baylor
University where he received the
honorary degree of doctor of
laws:
I'VE are the giant of the economic
world. Whether we like it or not,
the future pattern of economic rela-
tions depends on us. The world is
waiting and watching to see what we
shall do. The choice is ours. We can
lead the nations to economic peace
or we can plunge them into economic
war"
The speech, broadcast in the
United States and Mexico, primarily
was strong plea for success of the
forthcoming conference in Geneva
when members of the United Ma
tions will meet to establish the in
ternational trade organization on
which committee from 18 coun-
tries has been working for several
months. The President, however,
also took cognizance of the oppori-
tio1 to Americas reciprocal trade
program in Republican ranks, and
blasted at the tariff policy of Haw-
ley and Smoot'' which he declared
ultimately became major factor"
In the depression of the '30s.
Due Back in Capital Tonight.
The Presidents plane landed here
this morning in cold, rainy weather
after a AZ s-hour fight from Mexico
where Mr.. Truman had been on a
goodwill tour President Miguel Ale
man and members of his cabinet
were at the Mexico City airport to
see the Truman party off.
After landing here Mr.. Truman
lunched with Pat Neff, president of
Baylor and former Governor of
Texas. His visit today filled an
engagement made several months
ago that was cancelled by labor
troubles.
The Presidents address, which
had been scheduled in the open-air
Union Bowl, was moved into the
Baylor Auditorium because of the
weather.
The President was to resume his
flight this afternoon and was due
back in Washington about 8 o'clock
tonight. He will leave again Sat-
urday morning for the Caribbean.
Political and Economic Ties.
In his speech Mr.. Truman stressed
that "our foreign relations, political
and economic, are indivisible" and
that the bipartisan policies extend
ing to the former also must reach
the latter. He said:
Nov, as in the year 1920, we have
reached a turning point in history.
National economies have been dis
rupted by the war The future is
uncertain everywhere. Economic
policies are in state OF f1ux. In
this atmosphere of doubt and hesi-
tation, the decisive factor will be
the type of leadership that the
United States gives to the world"
Expressing conviction that earlier
mistakes this country made in
abandoning the principle of world
collaboration will not be repeated,
the President said that good start
already has been made through the
United Nations and that there has
been gratifying progress toward
completing the projected trade pact.
IF the nations can agree to observe
a code of good conduct in interna-
tional affairs" he continued, such
agreement will prevent the bitter
ness that is engendered by an eco
nomic war. 1t will provide an atmos-
phere congenial to preservation OF
peace"
AS starter, the President said other
nations have been asked to join in
reducing trade barriers, but under
conditions that will protect domestic
interests. International trade, the
Chief Executive said, must be based
on free enterprise, which he de-
scribed as the system ''in which the
major decisions are made, not by
governments, but by private buyers
and sellers, under conditions of ac-
tive competition and with proper
safeguards against the establish
ment of monopolies and cartels.'
The President said that right now,
nations everywhere are under severe
economic pressure as the aftermath
of war and that the result is a deter
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