PROSPECTS OF PEACE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26129, 3 June 1950, Page 7

PROSPECTS OF PEACE

“Closer Than In Last Five Years”

OPINION OF MR TRUMAN

WASHINGTON. June 1. The world was closer to peace today than at any time in the last five years, said Mr Truman to-day. He made this statement when asked to comment on reports of a poll of American public opinion which snowed that the majority of Americans expected war in the next five years.

Mr Truman said he did not agree with that point of view. He added that he was doing everything he could through the United Nations to prevent war.

The President did not elaborate upon his statement that the world was closer to peace. Mr Truman attacked Russia to-day in a message asking Congress to provide 1.222.500.000 dollars for the second year of the foreign military aid programme.

He declared that the only hope for the survival of freedom was to build among the United Stales and her friends, the kind of defensive strength that the Soviet Union would not dare to test.

Mr Truman blamed Russia for making arms aid necessary. He said: “The Soviet Union has dedicated itself to the destruction of democracy and everything it represents. It h

waging a grim struggle to make the entire free world slaves. No nation can be neutral, for a serious outbreak anywhere on earth inevitably affects everyone. Consequently the' task of increasing the ability of the free nations to defend themselves is a matter of vital mutual interest to all free-dom-loving people. “No Alternative Course” “There is no alternative course, except the abandonment of freedom itself. because the Soviet Union has no compassion for weakness. Our hope must, therefore, lie in creating the kind of defensive strength among ourselves and our friends which the Soviet Union will not dare to test. This can be done. It must be done. The task will require more than clans, promises, and hope. It will demand the best and the most that every nation can contribute.’’ Mr Truman continued: “The arms programme is not a panacea to cure world ills, nor will it, single-handed, end the cold war or assure success in a hot war. However, combined with the tireless efforts of all free nations, and with our own contributions in other fields, the objective becomes attainable. Without this programme the goal is beyond our reach. ‘‘Peace depends on the free world's ability to stem those forces which seek to cloak the whole earth with the mantle of totalitarianism.” Funds for Military Aid Mr Truman’s recommendation for 1951 was slightly smaller than the 1.314.010.000 dollars voted by Congress for the current year ending June 30. He proposed that the new funds be divided as follows: North Atlantic Treaty nations. 1.000 000.090 dollars; Greece and Turkey. 120000.000: Persia. Philippines, and South Korea, 27.500.000; general area of China. 75.000.000.

The President asked for limited authority in the event of an emergency to divert a small portion of the funds earmarked for any specific area. • He said: “With a continuation of Soviet probings for weak soots in the security structure of the free world, emergency situations of this character may well arise and require prompt. positive action by the United States.”

Mr Truman also urged Congress to change the laws so that American arms could be* sold to nations not covered in the present legislation.