Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-04-09
Point Four Program
Needs 2-Way Street,
Acheson Tells ParIey

Secretary of State Acheson de.
clared today that the point -four
program must be two-way
street" with cooperation ano
friendliness from the people be-
ing helped under the program.
He spoke to the National Con-
ference on International Eco
nomic and Social Development in
the Shoreham Hotel-the same
group before which he last night
read warning by President Tru-
man that unless mass suffering in
the world is wiped out it may
be used in the future by "some
new dictatorship more terrible
even than the Soviet"
Mr.. Acheson emphasized the
aim of the point four program is
to direct "ferment" there into
peaceful channels rather than
mere chaos that paves the way
for communism.
Cites Tremendous Ferment.
He said tremendous ferment'
has been stirred in Asia and
Africa by the realization that il
is possible to improve miserable
living conditions and attain free
dom from foreign domination.
Through the point four pro-
gram. Mr.. Acheson explaineds the
United States is saying to these
areas in effect that 1t is ready to
share it's knowledge and skills in
helping them to develop their
own resources for their own pur-
poses.
But, he pointed out, the 'two-
way street" idea requires that
countries receiving point four aio
must be willing to help them
selves and establish a climate"
receptive to foreign investment
Stresses First Need.
He stressed that in most of the
underdeveloped countries the first
need is for agricultural develop
ment to increase food production
Mr.. Truman had been scheduled
to deliver his message to 1900
persons attending a banquet at
the Shoreham Hotel last night
He Cancelled this appearance
however. to work on his radio
and television address to the
Nation on the steel dispute
Instead, the Presidents prepared
speech was read by Mr.. Acheson
The President said that, through
mutual assistance, the free coun-
tries of the world "are preventing
conquest and world war"
Bought Time at a Price.
eve have bought time-we have
bought it at a great cost in lives
and money" he declared.
Nov it is up to us to use that
time intelligently and courageous
ly." he added. 1--WE must use it
to wipe out the root causes of
war. We must use the time we
are gaining by defense to cam
paign against hunger and disease
and human misery" He contin-
ued:
MASS suffering has been used
by the japanese war lords. It was
used by Hitler. Today it is the
weapon of Soviet imperialism
Unless it is wiped out it may be
used in the future by some new
dictatorship more terrible even
than the Soviet.
ITO have peace we must strike
at the conditions of misery that
envelop half the people of the
earth. That is the purpose and
meaning of Point Four"
Calls Effect Profound.
President Truman said the
tremendous developments that
have taken place in the Western
World in modern times are hav-
ing a profound effect upon the
ancient civilizations in Asia and
Africa"
They are determined that
their resources will no longer be
developed in the interest of
foreigners on the pattern of the
old imperialism. And they don't
want them developed for the
benefit of Soviet Imperialism
either. They insist that these
resources be developed for their
own benefit"
Mr.. Truman said he believes
this is "the mood and the tenn
per that has come to Africa and
Asia in my lifetime"
Last nights program also fea-
tured a tribute to the late DR..
Henry G. Bennett, formerly ad-
ministrator of the Technical Co.
operation Administration. A
chapel in his memory is to be
erected at Oklahoma A. & M. Uni
versity, in Saltwater. Okla.