Evening star., 1950-05-31
Marshall Urges Nation
To Stand by U. n. in
Memorial Day Talk

'
Still fresh flowers on the graves
OF the Nations war dead today
stood as a symbol of the free
worlds hopes for peace.
Floral tributes were laid at
graves here and throughout the
world yesterday as the Nation
celebrated its 82nd annual Me-
mortal Day-a custom begun after
the Civil War for those who died
In defense of their country.
At Arlington Cemetery, where
q simple wreath of green palms
tied with a roseatte of red, white
and blue ribbons, was laid at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for
President Truman. more than
5000 persons crowded the Amphi-
theater to hear Gen. George c.
Marshall.
The former Secretary of State
and World War II chief of staff
strongly backed continued United
States cooperation with the
United Nations.
Precarious Balance.
"Some have suggested that the
United States should take the
lead in dissolving the United Ma
tions and setting up a new Or
ganization composed only Of like
minded nations" he told the serv-
ices sponsored by the GAR Me-
mortal Day Corp. in cooperation
with veterans groups.
"Personally," he continued, II
think it would be unfortunate for
the peace of the world deliberately
to upset the precarious equilibrium
that now exists.
Admittedly the United Nations
rs an imperfect organization. But
remember it does provide forum
where words can be used instead
of bullets. And SO long as this
forum remains open, there are
cracks in the iron curtain through
which some of our ideas will
penetrate"
80 long as there is a forum for
open discussion Of international
disputes, the United States should
be a participant" Gen. Marshall
declared. 80 long as there re-
mains a conference table around
which the nations can gather, the
United States should be the first
to attend and the last to retire."
Nation Must Remain Strong.
While urging the United States
to seek peace through negotia-
ton, Gen. Marshall declared this
country must remain strong.
I'VE must not-I emphasize we
must not" he said. "as we have
done in the past render ourselves
impotent. an invitation to the
ruthless aggressor.
War. Gen. Marshall asserted, is
"better than appeasement" and
"far better than submission to
tyranny and oppression because
without freedom and respect for
human dignity life would not be
worth living"
But it would be unwise for the
United States to console itself
with the thought that it would
ultimately emerge victorious in
another war. Gen. Marshall said. |
Il fear that the victorious power
in another war;" he said, will
stand amidst its own ruins with
little strength left to re-establish
itself for to offer assistance to it's
1t will only enjoy the
empty triumph of inheriting the
responsibility for a shattered and
impoverished world"
Fresh Plea for Aid.
The architect of the Marshall
Plan also made a fresh plea for
aid to the down-trodden of the
world who have. long suffered in
poverty and misrule." He declared
that "self-lnterest demands that
we give close attention to these
people, for their situation is the
seedbed for either one of two ways
of life-democracy or commu-
nism.''
But material assistance alone
Is not sufficient, he continued.
THE most important thing for
the world today, in my opinion,
is a spiritual regeneration which
would restore a feeling of good
faith and goodwill among men
generally"
With President Truman cruis-
ing the Potomac aboard the presi-
Dental yacht Williamsburg yes
terday. his wreath was placed at
the foot of the tomb by Capt.
Adam Eisenhauer. U. S. A.,
White House aide.
Others Place Wreaths.
The brief, simple ceremony was
held promptly at II am. and was
followed by the moving bugle call
of Taps" by an Army bugler.
The Amphitheater services be-
gan at / o'clock with the presenta-
tion of colors and a call to order
by Hampton D. Percy. chairman
of the GAR General Arrange
ments Committee. Lee r. Pen
nington, president of the GAR
Corp, then took over as presiding
officer.
Naval and military aides of
many of the United Nations at
tended the exercises.
Wreaths were laid at the tomb
by the following organizations:
National Guard of Honor, VFW;
Grand Army of the Republic,
GAR Corps. United Spanish Wars
Veterans, American Legion, Le-
gion's Department of Idaho, Dis
abled American Veterans, Amvets,
Army and Navy Union, Women's
Relief Corps of GAR. Ladies of
the GAR, Daughters of Union
Veterans of Civil War. Daughters
of the Union 1861-65. United Span
fish War Auxiliary. VFW Auxiliary,
American Legion Auxiliary. Am