Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-10

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all things in our life would mean
llittle-without the faith that we,
as a people, were on the road
toward peace-a peace of justice
IN world Of law.
For many of us, the hopeful
turning in that road seemed to
come three years ago. That was
the moment when death-death
in the mountains Of Korea-no
longer cast its shadow across the
homes of America.
Yet that moment marked-not
the end-but the beginning of
our struggle for peace. For
though the guns are stilled. yet
true peace--a peace in which
all peoples Of the world may
confidently trust-meanS much
more than this.
1t means a world In which all
of mans toll serves his advance
ment-not his destruction.
And the winning of such peace.
as / have said. requires struggle
and struggle will certainly call
for sacrifice.
Helping Others
How have we been waging this
struggle?
We have been helping other
peoples in the world to save or
to regain their own freedom.
We have been perfecting our
own military strength-making
1T SO effective and efficient that
our free economy can sustain it
for however long we live in
peril.
And we have made clear to
all peoples that America seeks
strength only because America
loves peace. The meeting at the
summit Of Geneva made this
clear. The Presidents of all the
Americas, meeting in Panama.
recognized and applauded this.
And there have been other clear
proofs Of our purpose; our plans
Tor world ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
OF atoms-for- peace-fostering of
world trade-and helping other
peoples combat poverty and
need.
We HAVEN all this-simply
paid attention to plain lessons
OF recent history.
Weakness Invites Aggression
Weakness invites aggression
and strength stops it.
And our will to resist agrees
sion must be made plain be-
fore-and not after-the event
For the first you can do with
peaceful acts and policies. But
the second you can do only with
guns.
IN all our work for peace, we
nave constantly sought to
strengthen our alliances = and
our understanding-with all our
friends in the world. Through
meetings and constant CORE
Spondence with leaders of the
other free nations - many of
them my personal friends = 1
nave tried to make firm our
united purpose. For this road to
peace must be one that all will
travel-else none can do 50.
Democratic Proposals
My fellow citizens, these mat
tiers should always be studied
exhaustively and discussed So
oerly in our democracy.
Here-again-I must mention
what the opposition has been
saying only because it is so vital
that we all understand these
matters clearly.
They - the opposition - have
urged stout military defense with
greater reliance on modern
weapons-but they advise step-
ping our atomic tests.
They have promised national
security and a bold role in world
affairS-while they urge us TO
start thinking about ending the
military draft.
No Unjustified Proposals
I speak to you now with the
greatest seriousness.
l. as your President and Com
mander-in-C Chief Of the Armed
Forces. cannot and will not make
proposals contrary to national
interest--nor offer you attrac-
tive prospects unjustiiied by
world realities.
I will not promise that win
ming a peace based on justice
will be cheap and easy.
The issue Of our military draft
is no matter Of a technical point
to be scored in a political debate
1t is a matter Of the safety Of
our Nation.
Why?
Because We need the man
power.
Because We cannot pretend
that rockets and bombs make
brains and hands obsolete.
Because our future military
burden must not be borne en-
tirely by veterans who have al
ready earned their Nations
gratitude.
Because we cannot encourage
our allies in the world 70
shoulder armS-vhile We throw
ours 10 the ground.
The truth before us IL clear
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