Evening star., 1960-01-07

that have already achieved a
high state of economic advance
ment, we will make brighter the
outlook for a world order based
upon security, freedom and
peace. Otherwise. the outlook
could be dark indeed. We face
what may be a turning point
in history. and we must act
decisively.
AS a nation we can success
fully pursue these detectives
only from a position Of broadly
based strength.
No matter how earnest is our
quest for guaranteed peace, we
must maintain a high degree
Of military effectiveness at the
same time we are engaged in
negotiating the issue Of arms
reduction. Until tangible and
mutually enforceable arms re-
duction measures are worked
out, we will not weaken the
means of defending our institu-
tionS.
America possesses an enor-
nous defense power. 1t is my
studied conviction that no ma
ton will ever risk general war
against us unless we should be
so foolish as to neglect the
defense forces we now so pow
erfully support. 1t is world
wide knowledge that any ma
ton which might be tempted
today TO attack the United
States, even though our coun-
try might sustain great losses,
would itself promptly suffer a
terrible destruction. But ! once
again assure all peoples and all
nations that the United States,
except in defense, will never
turn loose this destructive
power.
During the past year, our
long-range striking power, un-
matched today in manned
bombers, has taken on new
strength as the Atlas intercon-
tinental ballistic missile has
entered the operational inven-
tory. In IA recent test launch
ings, at ranges of over 5000
miles. Atlas has been striking
on an average within two miles
of the target. This is less than
the length of a jet runway
we'll within the circle of total
destruction. Such performance
is a great tribute to American
scientists and engineers, who
in the past five years have had
to telescope time and technol-
ogy to develop these long range
ballistic missiles, where Ameri-
ca had none before.
This year. moreover, growing
numbers of nuclear-powereo
submarines will enter our active
forces, some to be armed with
PolariS missiles. These remark
able ships and weapons, rang
ing the oceans, will be capable
of accurate fire on targets vir.
tually anywhere on earth. I'm.
possible to destroy by surprise
attack, they will become one Of
our most effective sentinels fol
peace.
To meet situations of less
than general nuclear war, We
continue to maintain our car.
rier forces, our many service
units abroad, our always-ready
Army strategic forces and Ma
rine Corps divisions, and thu
civilian componentS. The con
tinuing modernization of thest
forces is a costly but neceSSar!
process, and is scheduled to 81
forward at a rate which viii
steadily add to our strength
The deployment of a portion
of these forces beyond oul
shores, on land and sea, II
persuasive demonstration of ou,
determination to stand shoul
der to shoulder with our allie
for collective security. More
over, 1 have directed that step
be taken to program our mill
tary assistance to these allie
on a longer-range basis. Thi
is necessary for a sounder col
lective defense system.
Next refer to our effort il
space exploration, which is of
ten mistakenly supposed to b.
an integral part of defense re
search and development.
First, America has mad
great contributions in the pas
two years to the worlds funt
of knowledge of aStrophysic
and space science. These dis
coveries are Of present interes
chiefly to the scientific com
munity; but they are impoTtan