Evening star., 1950-11-02
U.S., World Leaders
Shocked at Attempt
On Presidents Life

the Presidents protectors, calling
for congressional investigation
and cautioning against rash moves
against innocent groups.
United Nations delegates in New
York heard the news with amaze
ment and incredulity. Norwegian
Ambassador Wilhelm de Morgen-
stierne, dean of the diplomatic
corps here, expressed horror and
indignation" on behalf of his COL
leagues and relief that 'tlle das-
tardly attempt" failed.
Prime Minister Clement Attlee
sent a message to Mr.. Truman
from London that he was deeply
shocked" by the attempted assault.
In Ottawa. Prime Minister Louis
st. Laurent telegraphed the Presi-
dent that all his friends in Canada
were vastly relieved" that he was
unharmed.
Others Send Messages.
King George vi of Britain, Pres
ident Vincent Auriol and Premier
Rene Pleven of France. Queen
Juliana of the Netherlands, Presi-
dent Chain Weizmann of Israel
and President Sean T. O'Kelly of
Ireland were others who sent mes
sages to President Truman.
Il am. indeed glad to hear that
the dastardly attack on your life
has been frustrated and send you
my sincere and thankful congrat-
ulations on your providential es-
cape King George said.
The District Commissioners
wrote to President Truman today
that they rejoiced with all Ameri-
cans in his escape and praised
your tremendous courage"
They paid tribute to the "valor
and bravery" of the guards who
fought of the attack at Blair
House. They also assured the
President that "all the resources
of the District, including our
valient police" are available to
help in safeguarding the Presi-
dent and his family"
Rigid Enforcement Urged.
Senate Republican Leader
Wherry of Nebraska said the
assassination attempt shows the
urgent need for rigid enforce
ment of the anti-subversive law
enacted by Congress last Sep
tember.
1T emphasizes the seriousness
of the Communist menace within
the United States" he asserted.
cit is the bitter fruit of appease-
ment and coddling of communism
In and out of the Federal Gov
ernment."
He suggested that President
Truman, in a scheduled speech
Saturday night, announce that
he has ordered the attorney gen.
eral to act against every Commu-
mist leader who fails to register
under the law.
Called -Dastardly Effort"
Vice President Barkley told re-
porters in Harrisburg, H., that
the attack on the President was "a
dastardly effort"
II am certainly happy It didn't
succeed and I know that the
people are grateful 1t didn't hap
pen," he declared. Il hope that
speedy Justice results" -
ca,o tor T,,o,e nf TJ1;poie copota
majority leader, who was with Mr..
Barkley on a campaign tour. said:
'It's difficult to understand why
it happened when the President is
working day and night to bring
peace to the world"
DR.. Rexford Guy Tugwell, for
mer Governor of Puerto Rico, de-
scribed the attack as unprovoked.
The President, he said, has done
more for Puerto Rico than any
one else.
Its a tragedy that those fell
lows might be able to tag the
Puerto Rican people with an at
tack on the President when ac-
tually the Nationalist Party rep
resents only an infinitesimal
group that hates the United
States" he said in Chicago.
Puerto Ricans Called Loyal.
Maintaining that practically
all Puerto Ricans are loyal Amer
icans," he added that Mr.. Tru-
man has gone far out of his way
to further Puerto Ricans' aspira-
tions for independence within the
United States system"
Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Of New
York, who was President Tru-
mans opponent in the 194S presi-
dental campaign, wired the Pres
ident:
Mrs. Dewey joins me in ex-
pressing our heartfelt gratitude
that no harm came to you or to
your family in the outrage COM
mitted at Blair House today"
The principal demand for
congressional investigation came
from Senator Brewster, Repub-
lican of Maine. He urged that
Congress look into the Nationalist
uprising in Puerto Rico and its
reported relationship to the as
sassination attempt against Pres
tdent Truman.
"Should Have Been Alerted."
"It is strange" he said, that
this situation should have devel-
oped apparently without warn
ing. Congress should be advised
why such intelligence agencies as
the FBI, the Secret Service and
others did not apparently have
clue as to what was brewing.
This situation appears to be
fairly strong and fairly well Or
ganized. Certainly we should have
been alerted that a strong move
ment toward open rebellion and
conspiracy was brewing"
AS for Puerto Rico, the Interior
Department, which is responsible
for Federal affairs on that island,
made it plain that insular affairs
will be left in the hands of the