Eisenhower Says Arms Cuts Must Be Long-Term Policy

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 7

Eisenhower Says Arms Cuts Must Be Long-Term Policy

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 10. President Eisenhower declared tonight that his foreign policy was directed toward building up strength to defeat any “rash aggression” by the Communists and at the same time help eliminate poverty, disease and ignorance in the world. Speaking at a meeting of the National Citizens for Eisenhower Congressional Committee, the President urged his followers to put “less political fission and more political fusion” behind a legislative programme which he said is essential to a stronger America.

Mr Eisenhower said the strong forthright foreign policy which the Administration was developing was basic to the

protection of freedom. “Our foreign policy is vigorously opposed to imperialist ambition, but devoted to harmonious co-operation with all nations and peoples who desire to live in peace with their neighbours,” he said.

“It demands unremitting effort to create and hold friends and to encourage them in staunchness of friendship with us. “Jt requires us to be vigilant against those who would destroy us, to be calm and confident in the face of their threat. “Present world conditions require a national defence programme, streamlined, effective, and economical that takes into full account our air .and nuclear might. “But. in the longer range, our foreign and defence policies must be directed toward world disarmament.

“Release From Burden” “We must seek for all mankind a release from the deadening burden of We must continue to seek sensible solutions for the fateful problems posed by the atom and hydrogen bombs. “Pursuing these purposes, we have persistently made appropriate proposals to the world—and more particularly to the Soviets—which if honestly accepted would go far toward attainment of these goals. “We must strive constantly with our friends for a freer system of world trade and investment, for strengthening trade agreement legislation, for simpler rules and regulations under which trade can be carried on.

“In the meantime, we must continue to render military and economic assistance abrbad where our national interest is thereby served. “In this way we not only build up our own material and military strength, so that we may oppose successfully any rash aggression by the Communists, but we help eliminate those conditions of poverty, disease and ignorance in the world which provide a fertile breeding-ground for the exploiters of discontent.” Congress Asked for Action Appealing to Congress for the enactment of his legislative programme before Congress adjourned next month the President,said his goal for every American better schooling, better housing, better health, and a reasonable assurance against the hardships of unemployment, accident, illness, poverty, and old age insecurity. He called for quick action on a tax revision bill to give more liberal treatment for families and businesses, and for his new farm programme, calling, for tne end of rigid price supports and their substitution by flexible supports. The committee of the House of Representatives this week called for a continuance of the present farm programme for an additional year. Tonight, however, the President said: “In my opinion the circumstances are too critical to permit such delay.” Mr Eisenhower also advocated the extension of unemployment, social security, and medical benefits to more Americans, and urged the passing of bills to curb the activities of spies and Communist subversives which would at the same time protect the rights of the individual citizen.

Mr Eisenhower’s speech was broadcast to the nation through radio and television networks.