Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-07-25

Iext OF PTeSI
This is the teri OF President
Truman's message to Congress
asking an arms program to aid
countries opposing Commu-
nfSm::
To continue and strengthen OIL
program for world peace and ma
tional security, recommend tina
the Congress enact Legislation
authorizing military aid to free ma
lions to enable them to protec
themselves against the threat o
aggression and contribute more eff
fectively to the collective defens'
of world peace.
Such legislation is an eSsentia
part of our efforts to create an in
ternational structure capable O
maintaining law and order among
nations. Our prosperity and secur
ity, as well as that Of other fret
nations, depend upon our success il
establishing conditions OF interna'
tional order. Increased assurance!
against the danger of aggression
are needed to support our lnterna'
tional economic programs, and II
particular the European Recovery
Program, which are SO vital to the
building of a stable world.
Under the Charter of The United
Nations, each member nation il
bound to settle international diff
ferences by peaceful means. and to
refrain from the threat use OF
force against the territory of any
country. Thus, in joining the United
Nations, the nations have given their
assent to the basic principles OF
international peace and security.
U. N. Held insufficient.
We have, however, learned the
unfortunate truth that this obli-
cation, by itself. is not sufficient at
the present time to eliminate the
fear of aggression and interna-
tional violence. The record of world
events since 1945 offers us no cer-
tainty that all members of the
United Nations will uphold these
principles of peace in actual practice
Indeed, there is proof to the con-
trary, proof that in the pursuit OF
selfish ends some nations have re-
sorted and may again resort to
the threat or use of force. The fear
created by this experience haunts
the world and creates conditions OF
insecurity and instability which
stand in the way of economic and
social progress.
To reduce this danger and to
allay these fears, We have taken
additional steps to reinforce the
obligations of the Charter. Under
the Pact of Rio de Janeiro and in
the North Atlantic Treaty, we are
creating a framework of mutual
obligation to prevent international
violence in the Western Henri
sphere and in the North Atlantic
area. These treaties provide sup
port for the principles of the Char
ter of the United Nations.
Furthermore, even in the absence
of such compacts, we have refused
to tolerate assaults on the integrity
of peace-loving nations whose con-
duct conforms to the principles of
the Charter. We have given mil
itary as we'll as diplomatic aid
directly to nations threatened by
aggression. Through ou. aid to
Greece and Turkey, we have recog-
nized the fact that. If the principles
of international peace are to pre-
vail, free nations must have the
means as well as the will to resist
aggression.
Military Strength Necessary.
So long as the danger of aggres-
sion exists, it is necessary to think
in terms of the forces required ito
prevent 1t. 1t Is unfortunate that
this is true. We cannot, however
achieve our goal of permanent peace
by ignoring the difficult and un-
pleasant tasks that lie in the way
We need to show the same firmness
and resolution in defending the
principles of peace that we have
shown in enunciating them. The
better prepared the free NATIONS
are to resist aggression, the less
likelihood there is that they will
have to use the forces they have
prepared. The policemen in our
communities seldom have to use
their weapons, but public peace
would be greatly endangered If
they did not have them.
The preparation of the military
means for keeping the peace is
necessary not only to the security
of the United States but also to
building a safe and prosperous
world society.
Helping free nations to acquire
the means of defending themselves
is an obligation of the leadership
we have assumed in world affairs.
Within the practical limits of cur
resources, We must strive to act
with foresight and precision, so
that our strength and the collective
strength of the free people asso-
ciated with us will be most effective.
Prompt Aid Required.
To be effective, the aid which we
supply to other nations for defend
ing themselves must be planned
ahead. 1t must not be wasted. It
must be carefully allocated to meet
the realities of our own security
Above all, 1t is urgent to initiate
a program of aid promptly if we
are not to lose the momentum al
ready gained toward recovery and
political stability.
These general requirements ar,
given sharp emphasis by consider.
alton of the specific cases wher,
aid is needed. Many anxious gov
ernments have requested our mill
tary assistance. Among thes,
requests, there can be no NOR,
meaningful appeals than thos,
which have come from the coun
tries of Western Europe.
1t is entirely logical that thes,
governments should turn tn II,