NO WAR UNLESS RUSSIA WILLS, – -TRUMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 September 1950, Page 5

NO WAR UNLESS RUSSIA WILLS, - -TRUMAN

’Report To The Nation” Which Justifies Action Of Freedom Loving Countries In Korea

.WASHINGTON. Sept. 2 (Reed. 6 p.m.) Ihe fighting in Korea would not spread into a general war unless Communist imperialism drew other armies and governments into the fi<dit of aggressors against the United Nations, said President Truman last night.

The President, in a broadcasi believed the Korean invasion ha< maining was to erush it.

“Our men are confident, the United Nations command is confident. that it will be crushed.” he said. “The power to do this is being gathered in Korea/’

The President said "for the first time in history men of many nations are fighting under a single banner tv uphold the rule of law in the world. If the rule of law is not upheld, we can look forward only to the horror of another world war, and ultimate rhaos. For our part, we do not intend to let that happen. “Two months ago Communist imperialism turned from its familiar tactics of Infiltration and subversion to a brutal attack on Korea. When that happened the free peace-loving nations of the world were faced with two possible courses. One course would have been to limit the action to diplomatic protests, while the Communist aggressors went ahead and swallowed un their victim. That would, o' course, have been apneasement. The other course was one which the free world chose. The United Nations mad e Its historic decision to meet military aggression with armed force “The effects of that decision will be felt far beyond Kore". The'firm action taken bv the United Nations is our best hope of achieving world peace.’’ President Truman said the Soviet Union had repeatedlv violated its pledges of international co-cneration. It had destroyed the indenendence of its neighbours, it had sought to disrupt those countries it could not dominate, it had built up tremendous armed forces far beyond the needs of its own defence. “Communist imperialism preacnes peace, but practices aggression," he said. "In these circumstances free nations have been compelled to take measures to protect themselves against aggressive des-gns of Communists. The United Nations was. able to act as it did in Korea because the free nations, in the years since World War 11, have created a common determination to work together for peace and freedom. When the Communist movement turned to open armed aggression in Korea, the response of the free nations was immediate. “Fifty-three of 59 members of the United Nations -joined in meeting the challenge and 30 have alreadj piedg ed concrete aid to the United Nations to put down aggression ” Thus far the brunt of the fighting had fallen upon the armed forces of ° the republic of Korea and the United States. In addition, naval forces from Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France and the Netherlands were now in action under United Nations command Fighting planes from Great Canada and Australia had joined the operation. Ground lorces had been offered by many nationsMr. Truman said there were about 1,500,000 men and women On active

.t “report to the nation,” said ho d reached its peak. The task re-

duty in the United States Army, Navy and Air Force at present. Plan, called for increasing that number to nearly 3,000,000 and further increases might be required. President Truman added: “In order I to increase our defence effort rapidly 1 enough to meet the danger we face. I we shall have to make many changes in our way of living and working , here. We shall have to give up many j things we enjoy; we shall have to I work harder and longer. As we move I forward to arm ourselves more quick- | ly in the days ahead, as we strive with | the United Nations for victory in Koi rea we must keep clearly in mind ' what we believe in and what we are | trying to do. We al.se want the rest | of the world to understand clearly our aims and hopes.”

The Pres'dent then gave the following eight points:—

“(1) We believe in the United Nations. “(21 We believe the Koreans have a right to be free, independent and United—as they want to be, under the direction and guidance of the United Nations.We, with others, will do our I part to heln them enjoy that right I The United States has no othei aim in • Korea. | “(3) We do not want the lighting in ■ Kore- to exnand into a general war. “(4) We hope, in particular, that . the peonle of China will rov be mis-,, I led or forced into ft rhtine against the Un'ted Nations and avainthe Amerl- | can peonle. who always have been, still are. their friends. Only Communist imperialism, which has alreadv 1 started to dismember China, could i rain from China’s involvement in a I war. “(5) We do not want Formosa, or I anv part o' Asia for ourselves. We I believe that the future of Formosa, I like that of any other territory in dispute, should be settled peacefully. The j mission of the 7th F’"et is to keen For I mosa out of the conflict. Our purpose is neace. not conouest. | “(6) We believe in freedom for all . nations of the Far East. That is one I of the reasons we are fighting under | the United Nations for the freedom of I Korea. We hpined the Philinpines to I become independent and we have supI norted the national asnirations to tai dependence of other Asian countries. I Russia has never voluntarily given up any territory it has acquired in the Far East. It has never given indenendence to any peonle who have fallen under its control. "(7> We do not believe in aggressive or preventive war. Such war is the weanon of dictators, not of free democratic countries like the Unite . 1 States. We are arm'ng only for defence against aggres'An. Even though I Communist imperialism does not beI Jieve in peace, it can be discouraged . from new aggression if we and other I free neonles are strong, determined and united. I “(8) We want peace and we snan I achieve it. We are working for peace ’ constantly in the United Nations and in all capitals of the world.”