ATOMIC CONTROL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 111, 23 February 1950, Page 5

ATOMIC CONTROL

TRUMAN SPEAKS AGAIN ..... | UNO IS PROPER FORUM (N.Z.P.A.—Copyright) (Rec. 9.40) NEW YORK,. Feb. 22. President Truman said to-day that any system of atomic weapons control without international inspection would be a “sham agreement.” He said: “Anything less would increase and not decrease the dangers of the use of atomic energy for destructive purposes. We shall continue to examine every avenue and every possibility of reaching real agreement for effective control. We firmly believe the United (Nations is the proper forum in which to reach such agreement. We firmly believe that all nations would gain by such an agreement. We shall continue to work honestly and whole-heartedly toward that end, but we must remember that the outcome is not ours alone to determine. The actions of men in other countries will help shape the ultimate decision. “We believe the plan for controlling atomic energy which has been worked out in the United Nations and approved by an overwhelming majority of its members, would be effective, and that plan, therefore, has our support. The stakes are too large to let us or any nation stand on pride of authorship. We ask only for a plan that provides an effective workable system.” President Truman listed the following points in United States policy which, he said, were a practical way to move toward peace. (1) The North Atlantic Treaty and the mutual defence assistance programme; (2) completion of the Marshall Plan programme and thq adoption of his programme of aid for under-developed areas; (3) a reduction of barriers through the reciprocal trade agreement’s programme;'(4) the creation of an international .trade organisation to increase world trade. .President Truman said that freedom could not grow and expand unless protected against “the armed imperialism of Communism.” He added: “We shall continue to w;ork with other free nations associated with us in common defence, for our defence is theirs, and their defence ours. The united defence of these nations is a powerful deterrent to aggression, and will become more powerful as times gpes by. ’ Task of Americans To-day

President Truman, who was speaking at the unveiling of the statue at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial at Alexandria, Virginia, continued: “George Washington knew there were times w T hen the use of force to defend democracy could not be avoided. The task of Americans to-day is fundamentally the same as it was in Washington’s time. We, too, must make democracy work and we must' defend it against its enemies. While free nations stand prepared to resist aggression, they are doing their utmost to find peaceful means for settling international disputes. They know another great war would destroy victor and vanquished alike. Mr Truman said the United States must complete the European recovery programme. “It would be utter folly to lose sight of the importance of the European recovery programme. It is essential- to our hopes for peace. Appealing for support_for his programme for under-developed areas, President Truman continued: “We are not trying to sell them automobiles and television sets. Our purpose is to help them grow more food, obtain, better, education and be healthier. He said the peoples of Asia, the Far East, Africa and the Middle East would reject Communism only if convinced that democracy was the best way to meet their urgent needs. The benefits of freedom and democracy must be demonstrated to them.