ISOLATIONISM REJECTED

Evening Star, Issue 25994, 8 January 1947, Page 6

ISOLATIONISM REJECTED

MAJOR CONCERN COLLECTIVE SECURITY SUPPORT FOR CHARTER PRINCIPLES WASHINGTON, January 6. Referring to foreign affairs, President Truman said that, because of the United States world leadership, everything possible must be done to help the achievement of peace in other countries. The United ■’States Government did not regard the peace treaties for Italy, Bulgaria, Rumania, and Hungary as completely satisfactory, but they were as good as could be obtained by agreement among the Allies. Further dispute and delay would gravely jeopardise political stability in the countries concerned. The United States had made it clear, in not retreating to isolationism, that it would not consent to settlement at the expense of principles vital to a just and enduring peace. “ The United States policies will be the same during the forthcoming negotiations in Moscow on the German and Austrian treaties and future conferences on the Japanese treaty,” Mr Truman went on. “ The delay on the first peace settlements is due partly to the difficulty of reaching agreement with the Soviet, hut such differences should not obscure the fact that the basic interests of both nations lie in making an early peace under which the peoples of all countries can resume production and carry out essential construction. The major concern of each of- us should be the promotion of collective security, not the advancement of individual security.” Mr Truman further said: “The United States policy towards the Soviet is guided by the same principles which determine our policies towards all nations. We seek to uphold the principles of international justice embodied in the United Nations Charter. We must now get on with the peace settlements.” The occupying Powers should recognise the independence of Austria and withdraw their troops. The Germans and the Japanese could not be left in doubt and fear regarding their future. They must know their national boundaries, their resources, and what reparations they must pay. “ Without trying to manage their internal affairs,” Mr Truman said, “ we can ensure that those countries do not rearm.” The United States had shipped more supplies to the world’s hungry peoples since the end of the _ war than all other countries combined. He felt, however, that the United States had not done its part in admitting displaced persons. Only 5,000 had entered the United States since May, 1946. New legislation was needed to enable the (fulfilment of responsibilities to those thousands of homeless, suffering refugees of all faiths. ATOMIC FORCE. The United States sought no monopoly in atomic energy. “We ask only that there be sufficient safeguards against its use by any nation for military purposes,” he said. Mr Truman said he hoped * that the new atomic force might ultimately be turned into a blessing for all nations. The Atomic Commission should foster atomic development for industrial use, and scientific and medical research. STRENGTH TO MEET ATTACK. Dealing ' with military policy, Mr Truman said that this was an age when unforeseen attack could come with unprecedented speed. “We must he strong enough to defeat such an attack,” he said. He added that when collective security under the United Nations had been established the United States would be willing to lead in collective disarmament. “ But until such a system becomes a reality we must hot again allow our weakness to invite attack,” he added. “ For. those reasons we need wellequipped and well-trained armed forces able to mobilise rapidly should the need arise.”.

The army would be reduced to 1,070,000 by July 1, half of wind* would be used for occupation duties abroad. The navy, including marine corps, would be 571,000 by July 1. Stating that it was still uncertain whether army strength could be maintained by relying exclusively on volunteers, Mr Truman said the War Department would make a recommendation on the need for extension of selective service before the present law expired on March 31. He declared that the merging of the armed forces in one department was one certain way by which costs _ could be reduced and at the same time national security enhanced. Mr Truman concluded: “The spirit of the American _ people can set the course of world history if we maintain and strengthen our cherished ideals and share our bounty with war-stricken people throughout the world. Then the faith of our citizens in freedom and democracy will spread over the whole earth. May God give us strength to lead the peoples of the world m His ways of peace.” >,