A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN

Wanganui Chronicle, 18 December 1950, Page 5

A STATE OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY PRESIDENT TRUMAN

/U.S. Is In Grave Danger

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Rec. 6 pm) .—President i ruman today proclaimed a state of national emergency, summoning the nation to marshal its strength against the threat of “Communist world conquest.”

The proclamation called on all Americans to a united effort to build up the nation’s armed forces to throw the “full moral and material strength” of the country into the protection of its freedom. The White House released a long list of laws carrying extraordinary powers which it said automatically became effective upon the signing of the proclamation today. Many of the laws were merely reassertions of powers already held by Mr. Truman under the Defence Production Act. Others were post-war legislation.

The White House said the powers available in an emergency include authority to lengthen hours in Army arsenals, to requisition ships, call the Coastguard reserve to active duty, make temporary promotions in the armed forces, waive competitive bids on defence contracts, and authorise war risk insurance. “I summon every person and every community to make, with a spirit of neighbourliness, whatever sacrifices are necessary for the welfare of the nation," said Mr Truman in the proclamation. "Events in Korea and elsewhere constitute a grave threat to the peace of the world, and imperil the efforts of this country and those of the United Nations to prevent aggression and armed conflict. The world conquest of Communist imperialism is the goal of the forces of aggression that have been loosed upon the world.”

The President added that if this goal were achieved, Americans would forfeit the “full rich life" they had built and the blessings of freedom ot worship, of speech and the right to criticise their Government.

Mr Truman said communist conquest would cost the American people the “right to choose those who conduct their Government, the right to engage freely in collective bargaining, the right to engage freely in their own business enterprises, and many other freedoms and rights which are part of our way of life.” GRAVE DANGER President Truman said: “That is why w'e are in such grave danger. The future of civilisation depends on what we do now and in the months ahead.” The President said the United States could do four things: Firstly, continue to uphold the United Nations; secondly, continue to strengthen the combined defences ol the free world; thirdly, to build up the American armed forces and strength and to make more weapons “for ourselves and our allies"; fourthly, expand American economy and keep >t on an even keel. “Though the present situation is highly dangerous, we do not believe war inevitable. There is no conflict between the legitimate interests of the free world and those of the Soviet Union that cannot be settled by peaceful means. We will continue to take every honourable step we can to avoid general war. but We will not engage in appeasement. The world learnt from Munich that security cannot be bought by appeasement.”

"The same menace of Communist aggression threatens Europe as well as Asia. To combat this menace other free nations need our help, and we need theirs. We must work with a real sense of partnership and common purpose with these nations. The Communist rulers are trying their hardest to split the free nations apart. If they should succeed they would do staggering damage to the cause ol freedom. Working together, the free nations can create military forces strong enough to convinnce the Communist rulers they cannot gain by aggression. Working together, the free nations can present a common front backed by the strength which is necessary if we are to be in a position to negotiate successfully with the Kremlin for peaceful settlements. Working together, we hope we can prevent anether war.” President Truman said aggression had won the military advantage in Korea, and he would not try to hide or explain away that fact. “By the same token, we should draw renewed cc-urage and faith from the response of the free world to that aggression. What the free nations have done In Korea is right, and men all over the world know it is right. Whatever temporary setbacks there may be, right will prevail in the end.”

The President said that because ot all these things he would issue a proclamation tomorrow morning declaring that a national emergency existed. This would call on every citizen to put aside his personal interests tor the good of the country.