Evening star., 1951-07-26
Truman Text on u. N.

the United Nations during 1850:
To the Congress of the United
: States:
Il transmit herewith, pursuant
To. the United Nations Participa-
ton Act, a report on our par
ticipation in the work of the
United Nations during 1850.
1t is a record of decision and
action in the face of danger and
at the same time, a record of in
creasing efforts to promote human
progress in the attainment of the
basic objectives of the United
Nations charter. It is for the
most part a record of solidarity
among United Nations members
against aggression.
The struggle of the United Ma
tions against Communist aggres-
sion in 1850 has a deep sign1fi-
cance that reaches beyond the
momentary successes and reverses
recorded. This significance lies
in the simple fact that the United
Nations acted promptly and reso-
lutely, and with success, against
deliberate, treacherous and we'll
prepared aggression. The aggres-
sors and their supporters un-
doubtedly believed that the Or
ganization and its members would
not come to the defense of Korea
with timely and effective help. 1t
is probable that one of the pur-
poses of the attack was to break
down-through such a failure
any possibility of effective United
Nations action against aggression
in the future,
Met Assault Squarely.
AS the world knows, the United
Nations met the assault squarely
and without hesitation. In sc
doing, it made clear that an ag-
gressor will not be allowed to
isolate and deSti y his victims
one by one. The United Nations
elected to act now rather than to
drift passively once more down
the fatal trail of failure to oppose
aggression which leads finally to
total war Thousands. of men
have therefore sacrificed their
lives in Korea to the end that
millions may not lose their lives
in a world war
There is much to indicate that
the reSolute resistance of United
Nations troops has given pause to
those aggressive forces which
cold -bloodedly brought tragedy to
Korea.
In these great events the United
States has taken a worthy and
responsible part. American troops
fighting in Korea are a major
bulwark of the international COM
munity against the barbarouS
forces that would debase and de-
stroy it. American fighting men
have rarely in all our history
struck more important blows for
human freedom and welfare. I
am proud-and know the
American people are proud-of
the fight which our men, together
with their comrades in arms, have
waged in Korea.
Praises Korean Resistance.
The army and people of the
Republic of Korea have heroically
and patiently endured the brunt
of the Communist aggression. The
story of their unwavering resist
aalce to that aggression is an epic
in the annals of the struggle of
free men to maintain their lib
efty and independence.
II should like to pay special
tribute to the gallant fighting
men of the other countries who
defended the cause of the United
Nations in battle during 1850
men from Australia, Belgium,
Canada, France, Greece, Luxem-
bourg, the Netherlands, New
Zealand, the Philippines, Thai
land, Turkey, the Union of South
Africa and the United Kingdom.
Fighting units for. Ethiopia ar
rived in Korea in early May, 1851,
and units from Colombia arrived
IN early June, 1851, Hospital
units and ships from Denmark,
India, Norway and Sweden also
are operating in the Korean area
! United Nations action in Korea
has been truly collective action.
Concrete aid in the form of COM
bat troops, ships and planes, field
hospitals and medical equipment,
other equipment, supplies, and
food has been made available by
SO members of the United Nations;
political support, by no less than
50 members. These countries vary
greatly in their abilities to con-
tribute to a collective military
operation such 'as that in Korea.
Contributions equal in number
and identical in kind are obviously
impossible. Nevertheless it must
be recognized that every free
country. large and small, is vitality
land I should say equally-in-
terested in world security.
Welcomes Criticism.
Much has been said in the Con-
gress and in public forums on all
phases of our action in Korea.
Discussion and honest criticism
are in the best traditions of our
, people and are in fact essential
to the working of our system of
government. AS on other subjects,
I welcome them in connection
with our record in the United
Nations. Throughout the world,
Communist propaganda has of
course sought to represent this
country's action as imperialism"
dictated by material interests.
do not believe that, wherever the
channels of opinion are free. our
basic purposes will be misunder-
stood. Our action in the Korean
crisis was not dictated by any
American material interest there.
We neither sought nor do we seek
any special position or privilege in
Korea. Our action in the crisis
was motivated by our deep con-
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