U.S. 'PREPARED TO FIGHT’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 13

U.S. 'PREPARED TO FIGHT’

President Speaks On Armistice Day . (N-Z. Proa Assn,—Copyright) WASHINGTON, November 12. President Kennedy, standing amid the graves of America’s war dead, assured the world yesterday that the United States was prepared, in a showdown, to fight for peace. He said in a speech marking America’s observance of Armistice Day that peace could only be achieved with patience, perseverance and courage. “But let no nation confuse our perseverance and patience with fear of war or unwillingness to meet our responsibilities,” he said.

Other national leaders echoed the President’s words. The Vice-President (Mr ' Lyndon Johnson) issued a d.rect warning to the Soviet Union in a speech at McKinney, Texas, United Press 1 International reported. He said neither the Soviet Prime Minister (Mr Khrushchev) nor his supporters could find a place to hide if they dared to start a nuclear , war. America’s tribute to the fallen took its traditional • form in parades and ceremonies in towns and cities, i

However, members of the Student Peace Union held demonstrations calling for an end to the arms race in many universities and cities. President Kennedy said in his speech: “In the end, the only way to maintain the peace is to be prepared in the final extreme to fight for our country and to mean it. “We can convince friend and foe alike that we are in earnest about the defence of freedom only if we are in earnest —and I can assure the world that we are.” The President made his solemn speech after a

wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington National Cemetery. He spoke amid the sombre pageantry of State mourning from the rostrum of an amphitheatre overlooking the grave-dotted hillsides. The President walked through the cemetery to the throb of muffled drums to lay a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Uniformed British and French soldiers were among those who heard the President’s declaration to the world and to what be called "an adversary skilled in the arts of harassment and obstruction.” He said: “There is no way to maintain the frontiers of freedom without cost and commitment and risk. There is no swift and easy path to peace in our generation. No man who witnessed the tragedies of the last war. no man who can imagine the unimaginable possibilities at the next war, can advocate war out of irritability or frustration or impatience. “But let no nation confuse our perseverance and patience with fear of war or unwillingness to meet our responsibilities. We cannot save ourselves by abandoning those who are associated with us, or rejecting our responsibilities. “In the end. the only way to maintain the peace is to be prepared in the final extreme to fight for our country—and to mean it.”