Evening star., 1952-01-13

Jour survival. No longer can we
rely on the strength-of-arms alone
III global war is thrust upon us
Americas strength rests on the
will of our people to resist aggres-
lsion and in our power and ability
to out-produce and Outright a
potential enemy.
For that reason, an enemy must
strike first at the home front
which is the source of our
strength-in-arms. II an enemy is
unable to crush our will to fight
and cripple our production lines
then he cannot win a war against
America.
For that reason we have pushed
forward as rapidly as possible to
develop a national system Of pro-
lection for our people and our
production.
That system we know as civil
defense. It is rated by our top
military leaders as a ce-equal
partner with the military In our
security program.
One year ago the Congress
passed, and I signed, Public Law
920 creating the Federal Civil De-
fense Administration under the
leadership of the former Cover
nor of Florida, Millard Caldwell.
The prime task of that agency
has been to provide the leader
ship and the planning and the
impetus for a national system Of
civil defense which will be manned
by our States and our cities.
I can report to you that in this
short year there has been substan-
tial progress in civil defense
throughout the Nation. This prog
ress, although far from enough,
has added to our total strength
as a Nation.
Far From Fully Ready.
Because Of what civil defense
has been able to accomplish
against considerable odds, I am
convinced that this country is
today more alert and better pre-
pared against enemy attack than
it has ever been in our peacetime
history-but we are far from be-
ing fully ready.
Our people, particularly in the
cities. have learned some Of the
basic lessons of survival in case of
enemy attack. That knowledge
would save thousands of lives If
an attack came.
The public generally has come
to recognize that this new dimen-
sion of modern war, civil defense.
is now a regular part of our daily
lives for many years to come.
can report that our States and
Jour cities are moving forward on
all fronts in civil defense but un-
fortunately with varying degrees
Of effectiveness. I think 1t is safe
to say that practically. all Of our
cities, both large and small. have
civil defense organizations in be-
ling.
/ But we must do more.
While nearly 2 million patriotic
citizens have volunteered, during
the past year, to serve actively
in their local civil defense organi-
cations. approximately IT'S million
trained and organized defense
workers are needed If we are to
lido the job properly.
In addition we must have In
reserve for civil defense far greater
quantities of medical supplies, fire
trucks, equipment to combat bio
logical and chemical warfare, and
shelters than we have at present.
Until civil defense Is manned by
many more millions of trained
volunteers and until the des-
Iperately needed supplies and
equipment for civil defense are
in place and ready to use, America
will not be prepared to resist ag-
gression.
To BE Force for Peace.
When our people and our cities
Iare trained and organized to cope
with sudden atomic attacks the
enemy may well conclude that
Isuch attacks are not worth MAX
ling. For that reason, we must
look upon a strong civil defense
program as a positive force in
helping keep the peace Of the
world.
Those responsible for civil de-
tense preparedness throughout
the Nation have worked hare
against considerable odds. They
have sometimes fought apathy in
their own official circles, particu-
Ilarly in our own Congress. They
have worked diligently to interest
the public in self-protection and
the necessity for volunteering fol
service in civil defense. But as
effective as their efforts have been
they must be redoubled in the
looming months.
Regardless of the wishful talk
you may hear to the contrary, you
and I are now in a national
Emergency as grave as any We
have ever faced.
We have not won the wal
against time. We have no right
to feel safe militarily or on the
homefront. You may be sure that
I will be the first to tell you wher
urgency is no longer a grave
problem in our security program
That is not now the case.
Let me warn you again thai
there is no such thing as bargain
basement preparedness or escape
from the hard realities of thu
time. There are no short cuts tt
civil defense preparedness. It il
a tough, unpleasant but grimly
necessary job.
An American Tradition.
E0Yst1Ynofa1xy o;,,iI ,lefoasn Sr d.