THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. THURSDAY MARCH 18, 1948. ” ~ The United States' Decision

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1948, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. THURSDAY MARCH 18, 1948. ” ~ The United States' Decision

President Truman, addressing a joint session of the United States Congress last night, made a declaration which history will regard as one of the most momentous pronouncements of modern times.

Stressing the critical state of the world at the moment, as the outcome of Communistic intrigue and activity, the President declared in temperate but blunt language that if nations which wish to enjoy the democratic way of life do not take immediate steps to safeguard their great heritage they will assuredly lose it.

For that reason he appealed lo Congress to take action which would enable the United States to stand behind the newly-formed Western Union in Europe in its efforts to stem the tide of totalitarianism which has swept over Eastern Europe.

To that end he proposed the reinstitution of conscription and military training in the United States and the strengthening of the country’s offensive and defensive equipment. Mr Truman made it very clear that the purpose of the policy he asked Congress to endorse was not aimed against any particular nation, but merely to enable the United States to assist democratic nations to withstand; attacks made upon them. The tumultuous applause which followed the President’s proposal suggested unmistakably its endorsement by both Houses of Legislature, and there need be little doubt that the United States will proceed immediately to put its house in order. Whether this determination on the part of the United States to prepare itself for effective action in a military and economic sense if the need should arise will precipitate or prevent war is a matter about which there will be difference of opinion. President Truman realised this, but he was on good ground when he said that while expressed readiness to fight sometimes provoked fighting, unreadiness to accept a challenge was more likely to encourage an aggressor.

Twq world wars in a single lifetime have been the fruit of unpreparedness or unwillingness of a great nation to declare its intentions when- aggressors were clearly preparing to impose their will upon the nations at large.

Had the United States, prior to 1914, declared its intention to stand alongside Britain and Allied coun-

tries if Germany precipitated war, the tragedly of the four following years would in all probability have been avoided.

So. too, if the United States had declared that provocation of war by Hitler would bring America into the conflict immediately, the lamentable World War 11. would almost certainly not have occurred. Now the United States has indicated. through its President, supported, it would seem, by Congress, its determination to support the Western European Union if it should be forced to assist any nation attacked by an aggressor.

This declaration of policy is welcome, because cards have been placed face uppermost on the table and there need be no speculation as to the. alignment of nations if, as it is to be prayed will not happen, hostile action is taken against a democratic people.

President Truman reaffirmed the United States’ adherence to the United Nations Organisation, within the compass of which the Western European Union had been established, and regretted that Russia had not only consistently impeded the progress of UNO, but had manifested desire to wreck it.

In like manner, Mr Truman declared, the Soviet had obviously sought to hamper, if not destroy, the Marshall Plan designed to assist devastated nations in Western Europe to rehabilitate themselves. In spite of these deplorable tactics, the door to cooperation by Russia remained open, and, while the democratic nations were forced to take action to preserve their way of life and to prevent further aggression, the assistance of Russia in the promotion of world peace would be welcomed.

That, in short, was the essence of the pronouncement of United States policy made by President Truman, who declared that “if we act wisely now we shall strengthen the powerful forces for freedom, justice and peace which are represented by the United Nations and the free nations (who have just signed the treaty of mutual support for the duration of 50 years).”

As President Truman says: “There are times when it is far wiser to act than to hesitate. There is some risk involved in action—there always is—but there is far more risk in failure to act.”