Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-04-22

Surveys Nation
that there is progress toward
this goal.
But liberty requires more than
the mere breaking of old political
ties that have become unwel-
come.
Those patriots who won for us
our independence knew and pro-
claimed that our free institu-
tions could be sustained, and our
independence made durable, only
/ If our Nation accepted the dis
ciplines which religion and edu-
cation enjoin. That is indis-
pensable to assure responsible
leadership able to guide a young
nation through the dangers
which beset it.
International communism is
on the p"owl to capture those
nations whose leaders feel that
newly acquired sovereign rights
have to be displayed by flouting
other independent nations. That
kind of sovereignty is suicidal
sovereignty.
The United States stands as
the faithful and vigorous cham.
pion of the principles of our
Declaration Of Independence.
And we want the new independ-
ence Of others to be something
better than a brief twilight pre-
ceding the blackout of Com
munist despotism.
v.
Nowhere is the pressure for
change greater than within the
Soviet orbit. For there the most
basic human aspirations are the
most depressed.
A year ago Khrushchev
boosted before the goth Congress
of the Soviet Communist Party
THAT communism was on its way
TO triumph everywhere. on its
merits, as a system Of thought
and government.
But in October. how many
Communists could be found in
supposedly Communist Hungary?
A few hundreds Of secret police
men. hopelessly implicated in
the crimes Of the regime, and a
handful Of traitors willing to
govern by grace of Soviet tanks.
Communism in practice has
proved to be oppressive. re-
dictionary. administrative. Its des-
potism, far from being revolu-
tionary, is as old as history. Its
subjects, in vast majority, hate
the system and yearn for a free
society.
The question of how the
United States should deal with
this matter is not easily an
Swered. Our history. however,
offers us a guide. The United
States came into being when
much of the world was ruled by
alien despots. That was a fact
We hoped to change. We wanted
our example to stimulate liber-
ating forces throughout the
world and create a climate in
which despotism would shrink.
In fact, we did so.
/ I believe that that early con-
ception can usefully guide us
now.
| Let US provide an example
which demonstrates the blessings
Of liberty. Let US spread knowl-
edge OF that around the world.
Let lis see TO 1t that the divided
or captive nations know that they
are not forgotten; that we shall
never make a political settlement
at their expense: and that a
heartfelt welcome and new op-
portunity await them as they
gain more freedom.
Let US also make apparent to
the Soviet rulers our real pur-
pose. We condemn and oppose
their Imperialism. We seek the
liberation of the captive nations.
We seek this. however, not In
order TO encircle Russia with
hostile forces. but because peace
is in jeopardy and freedom a
word Of fnockery until the
divided nations are reunited and
the captive nations are set free.
We revere and honor those
who as martyrs gave their blood
for freedom. But we do not our
selves incite violent revolt.
Rather we encourage an evolu-
ton to freedom.
The Voice Of America. our
information programs and cul-
tural exchanges. spread through
out the world knowledge OF what
freedom is and does. When Hun
gary was invaded and freedom
crushed, we sponsored a United
Nations condemnation OF the
Soviet Union. And when some
steps are made toward inde-
pendence. as recently in the case
Iof Poland. we show a readiness
to respond with friendly acts.
Events Of the past year indi-
cate that the pressures OF liberty
are rising.
Within the Soviet Union there
Is increasing demand for greater
personal security. for greater
intellectual freedom. and for
greater enjoyment OF the fruits
Of labor.
International communism has
become beset with doctrinal DIFF
ficulties. And the cruel perform
ance Of Soviet communism In
Hungary led many 10 deaert