President Truman Seeks To Mobilise Moral Forces

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 December 1950, Page 5

President Truman Seeks To Mobilise Moral Forces

Special Day Of Prayer On Sunday For All Christians

WASHINGTON, December 24 (Reed. 6 p.m.).—Presides! Truman today announced that December 31, 1950, will be observed throughout the United States as a special day of prayer devoted to the revival of fait.h “We should ask the fulfilment of God’s will we should ask for courage and wisdona of soul which comes alone to them who place their lives in his hands,” said the president in a recorded broadcast.

“Across all the continents of this world peaceloving people today feel apprehension, loneliness and fear,” he said. “We should pray for peace which is the fruit of righteousness. We are all'joined in the fight against tyranny of Communism. Communism is Godless. Democracy is the harvest of faith—faith in one’s self, faith in one's neighbours,—faith in God. Democracy’s most powerful weapon is not the gun, tank or bomb, it is faith—Faith in the brotherhood and dignity of man under

God.” President Truman, who is spending Christmas at his home in Independence, Missouri, said earlier, in a recorded Christmas broadcast: “Our thoughts and prayers go with all men, regardless of race, creed or nationality, who share with us our hopes for peace and freedom in times to come. I am confident that with understanding and determination, we shall move steadily toward these goals.”

Speaking at a luncheon given for newspapermen at Kansas City yesterday, President Truman called for a world-wide moral mobilisation to meet what he termed the menace of the inheritors of Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, who were the greatest murderers in the history of the world.” (Genghis Khan and Tamerlane were Mongol conquerors at turn* of the 13th and 15th centuries). The President said: “I have been trying to mobilise the moral fortress of the world—Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Eastern Church, Grand Lama of Tibet, Indian and Sanskrit moral code. I have been trying to organise all these people to understand that their welfare, their existence in decency and honour in the world depends on our working together and not trying to cut each other’s throats.”

President Truman said the only w.ay the world crisis could be met was foi those people who believed in ethics, morals, and a right to associate themselves together, to meet the menace of those who did not believe in ethics and had no idea of honour or truth.