European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 18, 1948, Darmstadt, Hesse                                March the stars and stripes Page 3 ext of presidents message asking new draft Law Congress told must defend peace f by the associated press allowing is the text of president Truman speech to Congress in Washington yesterday i am to report to you on the critical nature of the in Europe and recommend action for your rapid changes Are taking place in Europe which affect oar foreign policy and National there 6 an increasing threat to the nations which Are striving to main Tain a form of government which Grants Freedom to its the United states is deeply concerned with the survival of free Awn in those it is of vital importance that we act now in to preserve conditions under Ubich we can achieve a lasting peace based on Freedom and Ute achievement of such a peace Lias been the great goal of this a almost three years have elapsed the end of the greatest of All wars peace and stability have pot returned to the recalls difficulties in establishing peace y we were Well aware that the end at fighting would not automatically problems arising out of the 1 the reestablishment of peace flatter fighting is Over has always been a difficult and even if All the allies of world War ii were i of United in their desire to establish a just and honorable there a Krould still be great difficulties in f Rich Ieving that i w but the situation in the world to 1 i say is result of the natural difficulties which Fol f Jow a great it is chiefly due to i file fact that one nation has not Only refused to cooperate in the j establishment of a just and Honor Able peace a Lively sought to the Congress is familiar with the course of you know of the patient attempts of the democratic nations to find a secure basis for peace through negotiation and conference after conference has been held in different parts of the we have tried to Settle the questions arising out of War on a basis which the is Tab ashment of a just you know the obstacles we have in but the record stands As a Monu ment to the Good Faith and integ Rity of the democratic nations of the the agreements we did imperfect though they could live furnished the basis for a just they had been 1 but they were no they live been persistently ignored and violated by one describes obstruction in in by soviet Union it the Congress is also familiar with Hie developments the United most the of the world joined together in the United nations in attempt to build a world order based on Law and not on most of its members support the United nations earnestly and and seek to make it stronger and More one has per obstructed the work of jibe United nations by constant abuse of the that nation has 21 proposals for action in a two but that is toot since the close of hostilities the and its agents have destroyed the Independence and character of a whole nations in Eastern Centra it is this ruthless course latest photograph of chief executive president who asked Congress yesterday for a temporary reenactment of selective service is shown in his most recent taken with Truman and their mar upon their return to the capital from the and the Clear design to extend it to the remaining free nations of Europe that have brought about the critical situation in Europe death of the of Czechoslovakia has sent a Shock throughout the civilized now pressure is being brought to Bear on Finland to the Hazard of the entire scandinavian Greece is direct military attack from rebels actively sup ported by her communist dominated in Italy a determined and aggressive Effort is being made by a communist minority to take control of that the methods but the Pat Tern is All too in the economic Field the move ment for Mutual self help to restore conditions essential to the preservation of free institutions is Well under in Paris the 16 nations which Are cooperating in european re covery program Are meeting again to establish a joint organization to work for the economic restoration Western the United slates has strongly supported the efforts of these nations to repair the devastation of War and restore a sound world in presenting this pro Gram to the Congress last i emphasized the necessity for says events underline need for urgency every event in Europe since that Day has underlined the great urgency for the prompt adoption of this the soviet Union and its Satel cities were invited to cooperate in the european recovery they rejected the More than they have declared their violent hostility to the program and Are aggressively attempting to wreck they it a major obstacle to their designs to subjugate the free Community of eur they do not want the United states to do not even want the 16 cooperating coun tries to help themselves while economic recovery in Europe is measures for eco nomic rehabilitation alone Are not the free nations of Europe realize that economic if it is to must be afforded some measure of Protection against internal and external the movement toward economic co operation has been followed by a movement toward economic com Mon self Protection in fac of the growing menace to their free at very moment i am and five nations the j european Community in 4are signing 50year economic cooperation and common defense against this action has great for this agreement was not imposed by the decree of a More powerful it was the free Choice of Independent rep resenting the will of their people and acting within the terms of the charter of the United its significance goes far beyond the actual terms of the agreement it is a notable step in the direction of Unity in Europe for the Protection and preservation of its this development deserves our full i am confident that the United states appropriate extend to the free nations the support which the situation i am sure that the determination of the free coun tries of Europe to protect them selves will be matched by an equal determination on our part to help them to do j fundamental issues held facing nation the recent developments in Europe this nation with fundamental issues of vital in i believe that we have reached a Point at which the Posi Tion of the United states should be United nations and the free nations of the i regard it As my there to recommend to the con Gress those which in my Are Best calculated to give support to the free and Denv socratic nations of and to improve the solid foundation of our own National i recommend that the con Gress speedily Complete its action on the european recovery pro that program is the foundation of our policy of assistance to the free nations of prompt passage of that program is the most Tell Iii contribution we can now make decisive Senate action praised As democracy the decisive action which the Senate has without regard to partisan political is a striking example of the effective working of time is now of critical i am encouraged by the information which has come to me concerning plans for expeditious action f represent i that no single Day will be needlessly i recommend prompt enactment of Universal training legis y until the free nations of Europe have regained and so Long As communism the very existence of the United states must remain Strong enough to support those countries of Europe which Are threatened with communist control and police state believe that have Learned of Maia gaining Mili tary strength As a Means of prevent ing we have found that a sound military system is necessary in time of peace if we Are remain at aggressors in the relying on our apparent Lack of military have unwisely precipitated War although they have been led to destruction by their misconception of our we have paid a terrible Price for our unprepared Universal training is the Only feasible Means by which the civil Ian components of our armed forces can rebuilt up to the made unmistakably Wear to Tyg prepared for the principles and purposes exp pressed in the charter of the United j preparedness in present our  nations continue to represent our Hope for the eventual establishment of the Rule of Law in International the charter constitutes the Basic expression of the code of International ethics to which this country is we close our eyes to the harsh fact through obstruction and even Defiance on the part of one this great dream has not yet become a full it is that we take additional measures to supple ment the work of the United nations and to support its there Are times in world history when it is far Wiser to act than to there is some risk involved in always but there is far More risk in failure to for if we act wisely we shall strengthen the powerful forces for Justice and which Are represented by the Force for stability our to mobilize Large numbers of trained men in time of emergency forestall future conflict and together with other measures of National could restore stability to the the adoption of Universal training by the United states at this time would be unmistakable evidence to All the world of our determination to Back the will to peace with the strength for i am convinced that the decision of the american expressed through the to adopt uni Versal training would be of first importance in giving courage to every free government in the i recommend the temporary reenactment of selective service legislation in order to maintain our forces at authorized our armed forces Lack the Neces unit backs giant i March 17 Joseph said the House gop steering committee has agreed Tusit the army and Navy must be maintained and that the air Force must rebuilt up to effective fighting we he that we want to give the armed services absolutely everything needed to put the country in a Good defensive Robert chairman of the Senate Republican already is on record in favor of a air Force that is More thai Truman also asks Quick action on Erp sary men to maintain their authorized they have been unable to maintain their authorized strength through voluntary enlist even though such strength has been reduced to the very mini mum which should always be Avail Able in the Continental United we cannot meet our International responsibilities unless we maintain our it is of vital in for that we keep our occupation in Germany until the peace is secure in there is no conflict Between the requirements of selective service for the regular forces and Universal training for the Reserve com selective service is necessary until the solid foundation of uni Versal training can be selective service can then be terminated and the regular forces May then be maintained on a voluntary urges acceptance of peace Price recommendations i represent the most urgent Stepa to Ward securing the peace and preventing must be ready to Teke every Wise necessary step to carry out this great this will require assistance to other it will require an adequate and balanced military we must prepared to pay the Price of peace or assuredly we shall pay Price of we in states remain determined to by every pos sible a just and honorable basis for the settlement of inter we shall continue to give our Strong allegiance to the United nations As the principal Means for International Security based on not on we shall remain ready and anxious to join with All repeat with every possible Effort to reach International understanding and door has never been nor will it Ever be closed to soviet Union 01any other nation which will genuinely cooperate in preserving the at the same time we must not be confused about the Central Issue which confronts the world the time has come when the free men and the world must face the threat to their Liberty squarely and the United states has a tremendous to act according to the measure of Pur Power for Good inthe we have Learned that we must earn the peace we just As we earned Victory in not by Wishful but by Calls Unity most vital today at no Jame in our history has Unity among our people been so vital As it is at the present Unity of and Unity of spirit Are essential to accomplish the task before each of us herein this chamber today a special the world situation is too critical and the responsibilities of this Are too vast to permit party struggle to weaken our in fluence for maintaining the american people have the right to assume that political considerations will not affect our working they have to assume that we will join hands whole without reservation in efforts to preserve peace in the with goes help we shall