Evening star., 1950-06-09
Text of President Trunons Address to University of Missouri


present to build q strong commu-
nifty of free nations which can re-
sist Communist aggress ion
whether that aggression takes the
form of internal subversion or ex-
ternal attack. At the same time,
our program for peace is designed
ultimately to create conditions in
which all men and all nations can
work together in mutual trust and
for mutual benefit.
Our peace program is designed
/ to bring the free nations together
in common action. 1t is also de-
signed to support the United
Nations as the political basis for
a world order among all nations
Our peace program includes
military security measures -
through our own efforts and
through the combined efforts of
the free nations. Those military
security measures are defensive
only. and we look forward to the
day when international forces
under the United Nations will keep
the peace.
Economic Measures Included.
Finally. our peace program in
cludes economic measures which
will make it possible for people to
be secure and to lead fuller lives.
These measures are necessary, at
this time, to enable the free
nations of the world to resist
Communist imperialism. But our
economic measures. as far as pos
Sible. are designed so that any
nation which sincerely wishes to
work for human betterment can
join in them.
1t is about these economic
measures in our program for peace
and freedom that I wish to speak
particularly today.
Since the war ended, we have
embarked upon a new era of
conomic cooperation with
friendly nations. AS this work
moves forward, we must appraise
our progress from time to time
and make new plans for the
future.
You will recall the great pur-
pose that inspired our aid to
Europe under the Marshall Plan.
We sought to help the countries
Of Europe restore their war; shat
tered economies so that their
people could once again enjoy a
decent standard of living-so that
they could protect themselves
from totalitarian threats to their
security. In short. the purpose of
the Marshall Plan was to enable
the people of Europe to save their
freedom and use their resources
for peace. We have always re-
gretted that the Communist lead
ers did not permit the peoples of
Eastern Europe to participate in
this recovery effort.
The results of the European
Recovery Program in the partici-
pating countries have been re-
markable.
The nations Of Western Europe,
with Marshall Plan aid. are set
ting new records of production
and approaching the restoration
OF prewar standards of living. In
dustrial production in Western
Europe has increased 30 per cent
in the last two years. The diet of
the people there has been restored
almost to the prewar level.
furthermore, the countries of
Western Europe have been able
to get their national finances on
a sounder basis, and to obtain
sufficient goods, so that they could
lift most Of their rationing and
price controls. They have reduced
trade barriers and have increased
trade among themselves by so per
cent In the last two years.
Revival Of Faith Noted.
AS a result. there has been q
great revival Of faith in freedom
and hope for the future among
the Western European countries.
The numbers and the influence
Of Communists within their bor-
ders have been steadily receding
In the last two years, the Com
munists have received progress
sively fewer votes in every election
held in the Marshall Plan coun-
tries.
Today. every one Of the Mar
shall Plan countries is stronger
and better able to resist commu-
nism and to work for peace than
at any time since the war ended.
/ In addition. our aid under the
Marshall Plan has indirectly
strengthened many countries out
side of Europe and has helped to
restore the flow of international
trade.
Despite the steady progress they
I