Warning By Truman: ‘Shadow Of Armed Aggression’ In Europe

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1947, Page 7

Warning By Truman: ‘Shadow Of Armed Aggression’ In Europe

N.Z.P.A—Reuter— Copyright

(Recd. 11.15 a.m.) RIO DE JANEIRO, September 2. Declaring that the post-war era had brought bitter disappointment and deep concern to the United States, President Truman told the delegates to the Inter-American Conference at Petropolis today that many countries in Europe and Asia lived under the “shadow of armed aggression” and that the United States was determined to retain its military strength to preserve peace. “The people of the United States engaged in the recent war in the deep faith that they were opening the way to a free world,” he said. “We find that a number of nations are still subjected to the type of foreign domination which we fought to overcome.”

Mr Truman said that no agreement had been reached among the Allies on the main outlines of a peace settlement and “in consequence we are obliged to contemplate prolonged military occupation of enemy territories, which is profoundly distasteful to our people.” Four-Point Policy

Mr Truman laid down a four-point American foreign policy:— 1. Under the Marshall Plan the United States intended to do its best to “provide economic help to those who are prepared to help themselves.” but he warned that “almost everywhere in Europe economic recovery lags.” 2. Fidelity to the United Nations. He added: “Its role is to maintain the peace and not to make the peace, but it has been embroiled in its infancy in almost continuous conflict.” 3. The United States was determined to remain strong. 4. Problems in the western hemisphere were different from those in Europe, but would “be approached by- the United States with increased vigour in the coming period.” Past Mistakes Mr Truman admitted that the United States had made mistakes, but added: “I think that the elements

of the- policy we have evolved thus far are sound and justifiable.” Observing that the United States economic resources were not unlimited, the President urged other nations in the New World to aid the Old World in concert with the United States.