FREE NATIONS WARNED

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 July 1950, Page 5

FREE NATIONS WARNED

Truman Says To Be On Guard Against "Sneak" Communist Attacks Like That In Korea

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Recd. 7.10 p.m.— President Truman tonight warned the free nations of the world to be on guard against a ‘sneak’ attack by Communist forces.

“The fact that Communist forces hare invaded Korea is a warning that there may be similar acts of aggression in other parts of the world,” he said. “Free nations must be on their guard more than ever before, against this kind of sneak attack.” President Trumas was addressing people of the United States over the radio and television networks, a few hours after he had asked Congress for 10,000,000,000 dollars and widely increased pow ers in the Korean crisis.

The Voice of America and the British Broadcasting Corporation broadcast his speech in other parts of the world.

President Truman, after reviewing the actions of the United Nations Security Council in aiding the South Koreans against attack, said:

Aggression Will Be Met By Force "The free nations have now

“The free nations have now made it clear that lawless aggression will be met with force.’’ He said the free nations had lean ed a fateful lesson oi the 1930's that appeasement leads only to further aggression and ultimately to war. The President said the principal effort in support of the Koreans and United Nations’ efforts to restore peace had been made by the United States. He added: “We have done th s because we know that what is at stake here is nothing less than our national security and the peace of the world. The President devoted most oi his report to a summary of the proposals which he made earlier in the day to Congress. He said the funds prov.ded would be used to train mea and equip them w.th tanks, planes, guns and ships to build the strength needed to help assure peace in the world. Regarding his proposal to Congress to increase military aid to North At lantic and other Communist-thre-ten-ed nations throughout the world, President Truman said: "When we have worked out with other free nations an increased programme for our common defence, I shall recommend to Congress that additional funds be provided for this purpose. This is of great importance. Free nations face a worldwide threat. It must be met with worldwide defence. The Uniled States and other free nations can multiply their strength by joining with one another in a common effort to provide this defence. This is our best hope for peace.’’ President Truman said the thin~s United States needed to build its military defence would require considerable adjustment in domestic economy.

Military Needs Of U.S. Are Large

“Our mihtary needs are large, and to meet them Will require haru w0... and steady efforts, but I know we ca.i produce what we need if each of us does his part—each man, each w Oman, each soldier and each c.viiian. Tnis is the time for all of us to pitch in a-id work together." Presid-nt Truman urged Americans to avoid sm.e buying, hoarding a... other ste..s which would mrce up retail prices and result in shortages. - con conned profiteers.

“Every businessman who is trying to profiteer in a time of natio.ial danger, every person who is selfishl j try - ing to get more than his neighoour, is doing just exacUy the tning th_t any enemy of this country would wan* him to do,’’ Mr. Truman said.

Mr. Truman added that if excessive buying or speculation forces prices up, he will not hesitate to recommend rationing and price control.

“We have the resources to meet our needs,” he said. ”Tt is important that American people are united fci their belief in democratic freedom. We are united in detesting Communist slavery. We know the cost of freedom is high, but we are determined to preserve our freedom, no matter what the cost. Our country stands before the world as an example of how free

men, under God, can build a community of neighbours working tog-ther for the good of all. This is the goal we seek, not only for ourselves but lor all people.”

President Asks For Wide Powers

Asking Congress for 10,000,000,000 dollars, unlimited powers oi conscription and other sweeping power, in view of the Korean crisis, asked that all statutory limits in the sizes of the armed forces be removed. He said that increases in military strength and supplies of material were required not only to deal with the situation in Korea, out aldso to assist the free nations to augment their military strength.

The President said he had authorised the call-up of as many National Guard units and as many of the reserve forces as were required. Along with new military measures, Mr. Truman proposed a partial home front mobilisation. The President said later that he would request higher taxes.

The armed forces are now limited by law to 2,005,882 men, including the army 837,000, navy 665,882 and air force 502,000: At the latest report the actual number of men under arms was: Army, 593,000; navy, 451,000; air lorce, 407,000.

The President said that at home there must be a substantial re-direc-tion of economic resources to ensure that defence needs would be met without bringing inflation and its resulting hardship for every family. Accordingly, he proposed: (1) Congress to pass legislation now, authorising priorities and allocations for mater.als needed for national security, to limit the use of materials for non-essential purposes, to prevent hoarding and to i equisition or seize... materials required for defence.

(2) All Government agencies to review their programmes with an eye to lessening the demand lor services and supplies vital to defence. (3) Congress should pass a tax programme bused on principles that the nation must try to pay for the greatest amount of needed spending out of taxes, and that the tax system must be balanced to distribute its burden fairly. Mr. Truman urged mainly higher taxes on corporations and on upper bracket incomes. He told Congress that heavier taxes would lessen the need for general economic controls, and a balanced tax programme wou’d help check profiteering.

(4) That there be further restraints on credit expansion along the lines of the restrictions he directed yesterday r or Federally assisted housing. (These included restrictions on housing and the home finance age icy to increase the deposits required for new housingconstruction a"d repairs and Federal housing construction to be cut substantially for the remainder of the year). The President today recommended Congress to authorise more controls to limit the exoansion of priva*elv financed real estate.

(5) Congress to authorise production loan guarantees and direct loans to increase production.

No Onjck Victory In Korea Likely

The President, in making his recommendations, said: “The attack upon the Republic of Korea makes it plain beyond all doubt that the international Communist movement is pre. pared to use armed invasion to conquer independent nations. We must therefore recogise the possibility that armed aggression may take place in other areas.” The Presider t mad e no optimistic prediction for a quick victo-/ in Korea.