Truman Confident That Free Nations Will Win

Northern Advocate, 20 July 1949, Page 5

Truman Confident That Free Nations Will Win

NEW YOKK, Tuc. (i p.rti.).—Tensions and conflicts appeared to be increasing in areas controlled by the Communists, President Truman said today. Communism might have temporary triumphs, but in the long run it must “wither and destroy itself or abandon its attempts to force other nations into its pattern.”

Mr Truman declared that lie was optimistic that the world would yet be organised for peace without a war. The President was speaking at the diamond jubilee convention of the Shriners—a high degree branch of Freemasonry of which he is a member. The President pledged the United States to continue its “great crusade for peace” with action along two lines: Cl) Maintaining a strong, stable, American economy “as a primary source of strength of the free world.” (2) Taking steps to “ensure that the hard-won economic recovery of other free nations docs not revert to stagnation and despair.” Emphasising the value of the Marshall Plan, the President said: “One of the most foolish things we could do right now would be to slash our appropriations for European recovery. “If we did Wiat we would deliberately be throwing away the gains for peace and freedom that we have painfully made.

“Only the Communists would profit if we took such a short-sighted course.” On the possibility of war, the President said: “Some people would have us believe that war is inevitable between nations which are devoted to our concept of international organisation and the concept which now bears the name of Communism. “This is not the case.

“I am optimistic as I lopk towards the future because I believe in the superior attraction for men's minds and hearts of the democratic principles which have been tried and tested in the free nations and which are now winning the allegiance of men throughout the world "

Girl Killed On

Way To School

PALMERSTON N„ Wed. (P.A.)--While cycling to school this morning, Lorraine Avison, aged 16, daughter of Mr and Mrs L. A. Avison, Palmerston North, received injuries from which she died while being taken to hospital. It is thought that the bicycle she was riding collided with one ridden by a companion. She fell on to the road just as a corporation passenger bus was passing, and she was struck by a pushchair on the front and thrown to the other side of the road, sustaining severe head injuries.