Evening star., 1952-02-06
Peace or Destruction
Today's Possibilities,
Truman Tells WW

tEuIII0II lEIIS WV
The world now is going through
q period that may bring lasting
peace or the destruction Of civil
ization. President Truman de-
clared last night.
He said that, II the Western
re-armament drive Is successful,
there is hope for peace In the
world from now on" Otherwise.
he said, sit may mean the destruc-
tion Of civilization"
President Truman interjected
this serious note into brief, light
hearted speech before 900 persons
attending the Veterans Of Foreign
Wars annual dinner for members
Of Congress who have served In
the Armed Forces. Held In the
Hotel Statler, 1t was climaxed by
presentation Of the VFW's highest
awards to Mai. Gen. william r.
Dean, In absentia. because he is a
prisoner Of war in Korea. and to
Capt. Henrik Kurt Carlsen, hero
Of the freighter Flying Enterprise.
which went down after the skip
per's epic struggle to save her.
Listened in on G. o. r.
In referring to the coming elec-
ton, Mr.. Truman laughingly de-
clared the country now is under
going "a certain amount Of
spasms," which, he said. started
last night in a kind Of riot over
here"
Grinning at this reference to
the Republicans Lincoln Dinner
held here Monday night. MIR. Tru-
man said he listened to the G. O. p.
rally over the radio but that the
participants were so noisy that Il
couldn't hear a word"
Then he seriously referred 70
the fact that, even with the ex-
citement of an election, in time
of crisis, the American people al
ways rally around their Govern
ment. He added that maybe this
time the election will "have the
right result" and when the time
comes. "I'll tell you what the right
result will be"
That's not an announcement. !"
he laughed. He emphasized it was
not a hint as 10 whether or not
he will run for reelection.
VFW Member Since 1919.
Explaining that he had been a.
dues-paying member Of the VFW
since 1919. Mr.. Truman recalled
the Kansas City convention in the
1920s, as a 'very orderly affair"
and then jokingly contrasted it to
the American Legion convention
held in Kansas City in 1921 which.
he said. practically tore up the
town"
Acting In behalf of his organi-
cation, Frank C. Hilton, COM
mander In chief Of the VIEW. pre-
sented Mr.. Truman with a white
overseas cap. inscribed with gold
letters: 1.-THE President Of the
United States" and embossed inI
gold with the Cross Of Malta. thel
VFW's emblem. Mr.. Truman also
was given a gold life membership
card, and a gold VFW lapel pin.
The President praised Capt.
Carlson for carrying out a tradi-I
ton as old as shipping in thel
world" The merchant marineI
officer received vFW's Distin-i
guished Citizenship Gold Medal
for carrying out the great tradi-
tions Of the sea and showing great
courage and devotion Of duty.
Capt. Carlsen,, in response toI
the presentation, said he was "a
simple seaman j.. who had tried
to protect a little piece Of thel
United States under the Ameri-
can Flag"
Boyle Announces Award.
Hal Boyle, Associated Press cor
respondent, who last year re-
ceived VFW's Gen. Omar N.
Bradley Gold Medal. announced
the presentation of the award
this year to Gen. Dean for "theI
most outstanding contribution to
national security" Gen. Dean Isl
the former commander Of the
Army's Oath Infantry Division in
Korea.
Also present was Robert A.
Vogeler, executive of the Inter-
national Telephone & Telegraph
Co., who was imprisoned for
months by the Hungarian Com
munist Government. He thanked
the VFW for its help to his family
and wife in his fight for freedom.
The master of ceremonies was
Omar B. Ketchum, director of
VFW'S national legislative service.