U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24984, 19 September 1946, Page 5

U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

Clash Between Ministers NAVY LEADERS’ SPEECHES (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 1.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 18. “Mr Fbrrestal in his speech unleashed all the blistering sarcasm at his command to indicate his scorn for Mr Wallace’s recent speech and his whole-hearted support for Mr Byrnes,” says the “New York Times,” commenting on the speech by /the Secretary of the Navy (Mr Jamea V. Forrestal) at the Navy industrial Association’s dinner last night. Mr Forrestal had cancelled his prepared speech, but changed his mind and spoke extempore. “Mr Forrestal referred bitingly to the recent ‘atomic disturbance r in New York. He did not mention Mr Wallace, but said Mr Byrnes was making a great and patient effort for peace. Mi- Byrnes was a great American and had served America well.”

The audience of 1200 industrialists and high-ranking Navy officers rose and cheered with an enthusiasm seldom seen at a formal dinner. Admiral W. F. Halsey thanked Mr Forrestal for a very wonderful speech from a real American. Vice-Admiral W. H. P. Blandv also spoke and urged the United States to maintain its armed forces at a strength adequate for its world-wide “If this policy does not succeed in preserving peace because a group of madmen should still insist on a course which would leave us no alternative but to fight, then because we are fully prepared the fight will be shorter and the issue never in doubt,” added ViceAdmiral Blandv. When Mr Forrestal cancelled his speech on foreign affairs he told the press he had decided it would be better to keep quiet. The advance copy of Mr Forrestal’# speech showed that he intended to support Mr Byrnes’s policy, and while saying the United States would -hold steadfastly to its faith in peace, proposed to emphasise that the nation must have the ability to make svrift, effective war as an essential to the building of a permanent peace. “Mr Wallace by his’ New York speech sabotaged our ship of State,”

said Admiral W. H. Standley, United States Ambassador to Russia during the war, in a speech at Los Angeles. “He was not only guilty of disloyalty to the President and the nation, but has given aid and comfort to. a virtual enemy, for which in war time he could be shot. He. should no longer be considered a trusted member of the team.” - Admiral Standley praised Mr Byrnes and added: “The Russians are Orientals to whom saving of face is important. That is why they depend on the iron curtain to hide the true conditions in their country. That is the reason for their braggadocio and breast thumping."