Evening star., 1948-03-17

and its agents have destroyed the
independence and democratic char
acter of a whole series of nations
in Eastern and Central Europe" and
are reaching out for more.
Citing the tragic death of Czecho-
slovakia," and pressure on Finland
which perils the entire Scandina-
Wan peninsula, Mr.. Truman added
that Greece Is under attack from
Communist rebels and that the
Communists are trying to take over
Italy-where the election will be
held April IS.
European nations are banding to-
gether to resist this encroachment,
the President continued, pointing to
the meeting of the 16 Marshall Plan
participants in Paris and the FIVE
nation defense pact being signed in
Brussels today. But further action
by this country is called for, he
emphasized.
Terming the program he was about
to propose as needed to supplement
the work Of the United Nations and
to support its aims" Mr.. Truman
solemnly told Congress:
There are times In world history
when 1t is far wiser to act than
to hesitate. There is some risk in
volved in action-there always is.
But there is far more risk in failure
to act"
House Speed ON ERP Urged.
At the top of the list, the Presi-
dent put completion of the Marshall
Plan program, which he termed
the foundation" of our foreign
policy.
Praising the Senate for approv-
ing the plan, the President ex-
pressed hope that mo single day
will be needlessly lost in the House ~
Next came universal training.
which Mr.. Truman has tried unsuc-
cessfully to get through since early
in his administration.
AS long as the Communist threat
continues, he added, "the United
States must remain strong enough
to support those countries Of Europe
which are threatened with Com
munist control and police-state
rule"
Then:
II recommend the temporary re-
enactment Of Selective Service legis-
lation in order to maintain our
armed forces at their authorized
strength"
| Armed Forces at Minimum.
Voluntary enlistments have failed
Mr.. Truman explained, and the
strength of the armed forces con-
sequently is at a minimum figure
abroad. and far under the necessary
level at home.
In this connection, the President
asserted that lit is of vital i'm
portance" to keep occupation troops
in Germany until Europe Is at
peace.
Asserting there is no conflict
between Selective service and uni
versal training, he said the former
could be terminated when the
training program is established and
maintained on voluntary basis"
With a final call to American
people for unity of purpose, unity
of effort and unity of spirit" Mr..
Truman asserted that "the time has
come when the free men and
women of the world must face the
threat to their liberty squarely and
courageously.
Martin Urges Stronger Defense.
The decision of the House Repub-
lican leadership pledging all funds
needed for defense was disclosed by
House Speaker Martin, who declared
in a formal statement that this
country must strengthen its military
power.
1--WE must have the strongest Navy
on the seas" the Massachusetts, Re-
publican asserted. 1--WE must make
ourselves absolutely supreme in the
air and under the seas
Mr.. Martin said "the constant ad-
vance Of the iron curtain across Eu-
rope has created a grave crisis in
our international relations" and
he added:
There may be room for some
diversity of views and discussion, but
on the determination that we will
meet it, and meet it promptly, Amer
lea is united"
The Speakers statement was is
sued after meeting of the House
Republican Steering Committee in
which he said there had been gen.
eral discussion of legislative action
to strengthen the armed force.
While yesterdays House COP
Steering Committee was on an in
formal basis, Speaker Martin said
the committee long have been In
general agreement that the services
should have "all the money they
need"
The same thought was embodied
In his statement, the Speaker de-
claring that "in this issue, when
the fate of civilization is at stake,
we must spare no effort to be sure
of the outcome"