Evening star., 1950-07-05
Eisenhower,
Marshall Join
lin Voice Plea
Acheson Also Asks
Expanded Program
In Propaganda War
By Cecil HoIIond

EinSenhower - today urged a
greatly expanded Voice of America
program to carry to the world the
ideals of freedom and democracy
in combating Communist propa-
ganda.
Gen. Marshall, former Secretary
of State. said something more
dynamic" than procedures fol-
lowed up to this time is needed
to Offset Russian efforts to cap
ture the minds and hearts Of
peoples in many parts of the
world.
Gen. Eisenhower. now president
OF Columbia University, empha-
sized the need of a greatly ex-
panded program to build up "the
morale factor" in the present
struggle between freedom and to-
talitarianism."
Confidence in Freedom"
Gen. Eisenhower, who led the
Allied forces to victory over Hit
ler's Germany. said there is no
victory in piling up just military
armaments. In all these things"
he added. morale is what we are
talking about. to get the people
to have confidence in freedom. If
we get that there is no question
but that they will rally around to
maintain that freedom"
Both Gen. Marshall and Gen.
Eisenhower testified before a Sem
ate Foreign Relations subcommit-
tee in support of a resolution CALI
ing for a greatly expanded pro-
gram OF information and educa-
ton among all the peoples of the
world.
Secretary of State Acheson also
joined in advocating the broad
ened program.
Notes Communist Campaign.
Mr.. Acheson said that interna-
t1onal Communist propaganda has
been engaged in "a great cam
paign of Justification, distortion,
suppression and deception" with
this country as a special target.
I'VE have not been selected as
a targA simply because the Com.
munists don't love u.s." he con-
tinued. THE Communist effort
to misrepresent and discredit the
aims and nature of American life,
and the aims and nature of Amer
ican foreign policy, has primarily
great strategic value in the
furtherance of Communist world
objectives. This Communist cam
paign, therefore, jeopardizes the
security of the United States, and
is a threat to the security of the
free world"
The resolution is sponsored by
Senator Benton. Democrat, Of
Connecticut, and IL other Sem
ators.
Senator Benton, a former As
SiStant Secretary of State in
charge of the Voice of America
program. told the subcommittee
that the fighting in Korea today
lis a result of "a direct failure Of
this Nation to project the idea of
democracy in the world and to
publicize our determination to
stand up for the things we believe
in, and the principles we will
fight for"
Charges Negligence.
He added that athis country has
been "criminally negligent" in
letting Russia get away with very
insidious propaganda" that has
filled the North Koreans with
hate and lies" about Americas
peaceful intentions throughout the
world.
Gen. Eisenhower pointed out
that the United States went into
South Korea with the best of in
tentions of maintaining the free.
dom of that country in the face
of aggression by the Communist
dominated North Korean govern
ment.
"We Must Try on Every Front"
He stressed that such an UNDER
taking should not be confined Just
to broadcasting and added:
We must try on every front"
The Benton resolution suggests
no amount to be spent. Senator
Benton told the committee that
he understood the State Depart
ment would present request to
the Senate Appropriations Com
mittee within a few days.
Senator Benton said the cam
paign of ideas that he and the
other Senators are urging is, in
his opinion, "the only way in
which we can boot Soviet propa-
ganda where it deserves to be
booted"
We've got to do it now" he
added. There is no time tomor-
row. Already it is too late"
He pointed out that this country
has given South Korea nearly a
half-billion dollars for relief and
economic rehabilitation since 1945
$3.50 million during the period
of occupation through ECA in the
last year.
Points of Program.
The resolution calls for a pro-
gram of education and informa.
ton that would include:
/. Constant efforts through the
United Nations and all available
diplomatic channels for freedom
OF the press. radio and other
sources of communication ito sow
truth in the world"
2. Backing of the United Ma
tions Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization with solid
American dollars" to promote its
work.
3. Encouragement of vast
two-way flow of students for all
the countries of the world to
America and from America to
those countries.