Evening star., 1948-01-07

situation today might well be
radically different. The continued
integrity Of those countries will have
a powerful effect upon other nations
In the Middle East and Europe
struggling to maintain their inde-
pendence while they repair the
damages Of war.
Special Responsibilities.
The United States has special re-
sponsibilities with respect to the
countries in which we have occupa-
ton forces: Germany, Austria, ia
pan and Korea. Our efforts to reach
agreements on peace settlements for
these countries have so far been
blocked. But we shall continue to
exert our utmost efforts to obtain
satisfactory settlements for each Of
these nations.
Many thousands of displaced per-
sons, still living In camps overseas,
should be allowed entry into the
United States. I again urge the
Congress to pass suitable legislation
at once so that this Nation may do
its share In caring for homeless and
suffering refugees of all faiths. I
believe that the admission of these
persons will add to the strength and
energy Of this Nation.
We are moving toward our goal
Of world peace in many ways. But
the most important efforts which we
are now making are those which
support world economic reconstruc-
tion. We are seeking to restore the
world trading system which was
shattered by the war and to remedy
the economic paralysis which grips
many countries.
To restore world trade we have
recently taken the lead in bringing
about the greatest reduction Of world
tariffs that has ever occurred. The
extension of the provisions Of the
Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act,
which made this achievement pos
sible, is Of extreme importance. We
must also go on to support the
international trade organization,
through which we hope to obtain
worldwide agreement on q code OF
fair conduct sin international trade.
Our present major effort toward
economic reconstruction is to sup
port the program for recovery de-
veloped by the countries Of Europe.
In my recent message to the Con-
gress, I outlined the reasons why
it Is wise and necessary for the
United States to extend this support.
I want to reaffirm my belief in
the soundness and promise of this
proposal. When the European econ
omy is strengthened the product
of its industry will be of benefit to
many other areas Of economic dis
tresS The ability of free men to
overcome hunger and despair will
be a moral stimulus to the entire
world.
| We intend to work also with
other nations in achieving world
economic recovery. We shall con-
tinue our cooperation with the
nations OF the Western Hemisphere.
A special program of assistance to
China, to provide urgent relief
needs and to speed reconstruction,
will be submitted to the Congress.
Unfortunately not all govern
ments share the hope of the people
of the United States that economic
reconstruction in many areas of the
world can be achieved through CO.
operative effort among nations. In
spite of these differences we will
60 forward with our efforts to over
come economic paralysis. - gs]
Leadership Inevitably .osrs. 8
No nation by itself can barry
these programs to success; they de-
pend upon the cooperative and
honest efforts Of all participating
countries. Yet the, leadership Is !
finevitably ours.
I consider it Of the highest i'm
portance that the Congress should
authorize support for the European
recovery program for the period
from April l, 1948, to June 80, 1852,
with an initial amount for the first
Is months of $500. 900 900. I urge
the Congress to act promptly on
this vital measure of our foreign
policy-on this decisive contribution
to world peace.
We are following a sound, con-
structive and practical course in
carrying out our determination to
achieve peace.
We are fighting poverty, hunger
and suffering.
This leads to peace-not war. u
We are building toward a world
where all nations, large and small
alike, may live free from the fear
of aggression.
This leads to peace-not war.
Above all else, we are striving to
achieve concord among the peoples
Of the world based upon the dignity
Of the individual and the brother
hood Of man.
This leads to peace-not war.
We can 60 forward with confidence
that we are following sound policies,
both at home and with other ma
tions, which will lead us toward our
great goals for economic, social and
moral achievement.
AS we enter the new year, we must
surmount one major problem which
affects all our goals. That Is the
problem of imitation.
Already imitation in this country is
undermining the living standards
of millions of families. Food costs
too much. Housing has reached
fantastic price levels. Schools and
hospitals are in financial distress.
Imitation threatens to bring on dis
agreement and strife between labor
and management.
Worst of all, imitation holds the
threat of another depression, just
as we had a depression after the
unstable boom following the first
World War.
When I announced last October
that the Congress was being called
into session, I described the price
increases which had taken place
since June, 1916. Wholesale prices
had increased 40 per cent, and re-
tail prices had increased % per cent.