MUST PAY PRICE OF PEACE

Chronicle (Levin), 18 March 1948, Page 5

MUST PAY PRICE OF PEACE

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter

TRUMAN URGES CONSCRIPTION WORLD SITUATION CR1TICAL

, Copyrigh't)

Received Thursday, 9.30 a.m. WASHINGTON, March 17. President Truman today proposed. ihe fcemporary reintrcduction cf conscription in tke United States. He also propcsed the prornpt enactment of a universal military training programme. President Truman said the recommendations represented "the mosi urgent steps toward securing peace and preventing war." ' He described the situation in Europe as crifcical, and^ as*tea for universal military training in addition to conscription.

"Until the free nations of Europe have regained' their strength, and as iong as Communism threatens the very existence of democracy, the United States must remain strong enough to support those Europe an ' countries which are threatened with Communist control and police state rule. "We must be prepared to uay the price of peace," added President Truman, "or assuredly we shall pay the price of war." President Truman was addressing a joint session of iCongress on the world situation. "Rapid changes are taking place in Europe, which effect our foreign policy and our national security," continue'd the President. "There is an increasing threat to the nations • which are striving to maintain a fonn of government which grants freedom to its citizens. The United States is deeply concerned with the survival of freedom in these nations. It is of vital importance that we act now in order to preseive conditions under , which we can achieve lasting peace based 011 freedom and justice. The achievement of such a peace has been the gieat goal of this nation. "Almost three years have elapsed since the end of the greatest of all wars, but peace and stability have i not returned to the world. We were well aware that the end of tigliting would not automatically | se ttle the problems arising f rom I the war, but the situation in the j world today is 'not primarily the j result of the natural difficulties j Which follow a great war. "It is chiefiy due to the fact that oue nation has not only refused toi co-operate in the estabiishment of j a just anti honourahle peace but — even worse — has actively sought toj prevent it. "Congress is familiar with the cc.urse of events. You know of the j sincere and patient attempts of the ; democratic countries to fin'd a | secure basis for peace through { n'c gotiations and agreement. Conference after conference has been i held in different parts of the world. , We have tried to settle the ques- i tions arising from the war on a ; basis which would permit the ! * estabiishment of a just peace. You : know7 the obstacles we have en-j countered. But the record stands as a monument to the good faith ' a iivl integrity of the democratic 1 nations. | "The agreements we did obtain, ! imperfect though they were, could have furnished the basis for a just peace — if they had been kept. But they were not kept; they have been persistently ignored and violated bv one nation. '•Congress is also familiar with clevc lopments concerning Unite'd Natkn-'. Most of the world countries have joined together in the Unit-ed Nations Organisation in an

attempt to build a world order based on law and not on force. Most members support the Unite'd Nations earnestly and honestiy, and seek to make it stronger and more effective. One nation, however, has persistently obstructed the work of the United Nations by constant abuse of the veto. That .nation has vetoed 21 proposals for action in a little over two years. "But that is not all. Since the ' close of hostiiities the Soviet Union • and its agents have destroyed the J independence and democratic | character of a whole series of : nations in Eastern and Central ! Europe. It is this ruthless course ; of action and clear aesign to exi tend it to the rCmaining free ! nations of Europe that have • brought about the critical situation in Europe today."

President Truman 's recommendations to Congress were: "Firstiy, I recommend that Congress speedily complete its action c:n the European recovery programme, w7hich is the foundation of our policy of assistance to Europe's free nations. The passage cf that programme is the most • elling contribuiion we can now make toward peace. "Secondly, I recommend the prompt re-enactment of the universal training legislation. Tliirdly, I recommend the temporary re-enactment o'f the seleclive service legislation in order to maintain our armed forces at their r.uthorised strength. The adoption i f universal training by the United States at this time would be unmistakeable evidence to all the world of our determination to back Ihe will to peace with strength for peace."