Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-25

NEW YORK, April rs (P.-
FOLLOWING is the tert of PreSi-
dent EiSenhoWer's speech pre-
pared for delivery at the
annual luncheon of the AsSo-
ciated Press at the Waldorf
Astoria Hotel today:
Always, I feel it is a special
privilege when I can meet with
men and women of the news
paper profession, Our news
papers have additionally been a
guarantee that truth will reach
every part of our country and all
the free peoples of the world.
And never was it more important
than it is today that the people
of the entire world have free
access to the truth.
Recently, I read a story about
one particular segment of the
American newspaper community
and how it helped spread the
truth even beyond the barriers
devised against its communica-
tion-into the homes of the
Communist-dominated lands.
Some 10000 newspaper boys
voluntarily conducted a fund
raising campaign for the Cru
SADIE of Freedom. That crusade
brings truth to those behind the
Iron Curtain, to people who
otherwise could not have it. OF
course, the boys campaign. Is
not one of the normal activities
of American newspapers-but the
incident gives heartening evil
dence of newspaper peoples un-
tagging interest in the mainten-
ance of freedom and of human
hope for peace.
Certainly, I am inspired by the
knowledged that boys of this
Nation will freely give of their
time and their energy-and
their hearts-to help bring in
formation of today's world to
those whose masters provide
them only propaganda.
In this day, every resource of
free men must be mustered if
we are to remain free; every bit
of our wit, our courage and our
dedication must be modified if
we are to achieve genuine peace.
There is no age nor group nor
race that cannot somehow help.
Recalls Peace Pledge
Just over two years ago I had
an opportunity to appear before
the American Society of News
paper Editors. I then pledged
your Government to an untiring
search for a just peace as a
fixed and abiding objective. In
our search for peace we shall not
be bound by slavish adherence
to precedent or halted by the
lack of it. The spirit of this
search influences every action of
your administration: it affects
ever solution to problems of the
moment.
1t prompted my proposal be-
fore the General Assembly of the
United Nations that govern
ments make Joint contributions
of fashionable material to an in
ternational atomic energy agency
for peaceful researches that
the miraculous inventiveness of
man may be consecrated to his
fuller life.
1t inspired last weeks offer
of polio information, research IA
cilities and seed virus-so that
DR.. Salk's historic accomplish
nent may free mankind from a
physical scourge.
Atomic Ship Planned
It provides the reason for a
plan that, after some weeks of
study, I am able now to an
nounce. We have added to the
United States program for peace
full uses of atomic energy an
atomic-powered merchant ship.
The Atomic Energy Commission
and the Maritime Administra-
ton are now developing specifi-
cations. l shall shortly submit
to the Congress a request for
the necessary funds, together
with a description of the vessel.
The new ship, powered with
an atomic reactor, will not re-
quire refueling for scores Of
thousands of miles of operation.
Visiting the ports of the world,
1t will demonstrate to people
everywhere this peacetime use
of atomic energy, harnessed for
the improvement of human liv-
ing. In part, the ship will be
an atomic exhibit. carrying to
all people practical knowledge
Of the usefulness of this new
science in medicine. agriculture
and power production.
In every possible way. in word
and deed. we shall strive to bring
% all men the truth of our as
sertion that we seek only a just
and lasting peace.
There is no precendent for the
nature Of the struggle Of our
time.