Evening star., 1952-03-06


them. to pay for essential parts Of
the total undertaking to help free
build adequate combined
defenSes. II the military assist
ance funds are. reduced, this will
mean a corresponding reduction
in the effective combat forces
which can be created in Europe
and Asia. and a serious disruption
Of the timetable for achieving
adequate defenses. II the defense
support funds are reduced, It will
mean that our partners in this
endeavor will be unable to raise
and train the scheduled forces or
unable to expand their own mill
tary production as planned. II
economic and technical funds are
reduced, there will be q CORES
ponding reduction in what we can
do to help countries in Asia, the
Near East, Africa. and Latin
America to strengthen themselves,
and q correspondingly greater
danger OF these areas falling to
Communist aggression or subver-
sion.
1t would not counsel the Con-
gress to spend one dollar more
than Is necessary to support our
policy Of peace. But there is no
economy more false than that
which is summed up in the tragic
phrase. "too little and too late"
Such a policy risks the loss of our
investment as well as our objec-
tive. 1t would be foolish and
dangerous to withhold q dollar
now at the risk of expendins, not
just many times rs many dollars.
but human lives as well, q few
years later.
The question is frequently-and
properly-asked: How long are we
going to have to continue this type
OF program? I cannot-no one
can-give an answer in terms of a
specific month and year. But / can
say that one Of the central pur-
poses in everything we are doing
under the Mutual Security Pro-
gram Is to build strength which
will eliminate the need for assist
ance from the United States.
This is not q program for carry.
ing the rest of the world on our
backs. This is a program for get.
ting the other free nations on
their own feet, so they can move
ahead without special help from us
or any one else.
Declining Costs.
AS the Mutual Security Pro-
gram moves ahead--as larger mill.
tary forces become equipped and
trained, as economic strength
continues to increase-we can ex-
pect the costs to the United States
to decline. This is not only our
own design; 1t is also the natural
nope and objective Of the people
OF other countries. Free people do
not relish dependence on other
nations. They wish to achieve as
rapidly as possible the economic
health and vigor which will enable
Cnem TO sustain their own: pro-
grams OF defense and economic
progress. The Mutual Security
rrogram will hasten the day when
this wiz become possible.
History has thrust q fearful rel
Sponsib1lty upon the United States
Ioday. the survival Of freedom and
clviilzation on this earth NAV de-
pend on the initiative and decis-
IONS taken in our own Nations
capital. The free peoples look to
us for leadership. Leadership inn
pies more than a recognition of
the problem. It implies also a
to work out a Joint solu-
ZION with our partners, and to stay
with 1T till the end; 1t implies reso-
iutlon and fortitude. We have
shown that we understand the
threat. But some are doubtful
we will stay the course
until we achieve peace in q free
world.
am not in doubt. I know that
we shall succeed. 1t is perhaps
true that our history has been
by impatience. by a
for quick results. It is
equally true, however, that 1t has
been characterized by persever-
ance and determination--the per-
severance of the pioneer making
his steadfast way into the unknown
West; the determination of the
FARMER and worker, transforming
a savage wilderness into the
strongest and most productive ma
ton known to history.
Perseverance Built q. s.
perseverance and determination.
steadfastness and dependability-
1t was these qualities, and not
reckleSsness or imprudence. which
built America. It is our obligation
to turn these qualities outward.
We must show the world that we
can meet any crisis, and that
temporary Illustration will not
drive us to panicky aggression or
to ignominious retreat. This is the
challenge Of free world leadership.
In the last analysis, our leader
ship must stand or fall on the
moral power behind it. No nation.
Of course, can undertake policies
which are not squarely and solidly
based on national self interest.
But world leadership in these
perilous times calls for policies
which, while springing from self
interest, transcend it--policies
which serve as a bridge between
our own national objectives and
the needs and aspirations Of other
free people.
I deeply believe that the Mu-
5ual Security Program Is an ex-
preston Of q new spirit IN the
world--a spirit based on faith in
democracy and human decency.
and looking to a new collaboration
among nations and peoples. It
expresses the deep reality Of our