The faulty perspective consists in overemphasizing lesser problems and thereby underemphasizing the first and greatest problem. Returning from my journeyings, I must confess to a sense of "let-down" when I found many evidences of faulty perspective here in Washington. That is just plain common sense-and it is the kind of plain common sense that provided the basis for our discussions at Moscow, Cairo, and Teheran. It has been shown time and again that if the standard of living of any country goes up, so does its purchasing power- and that such a rise encourages a better standard of living in neighboring countries with whom it trades. There are people who burrow through our Nation like unseeing moles, and attempt to spread the suspicion that if other Nations are encouraged to raise their standards of living, our own American standard of living must of necessity be depressed. Freedom from fear is eternally linked with freedom from want. And an equally basic essential to peace is a decent standard of living for all individual men and women and children in all Nations. ![]() In the present world situation, evidenced by the actions of Germany, Italy, and Japan, unquestioned military control over disturbers of the peace is as necessary among Nations as it is among citizens in a community. The best interests of each Nation, large and small, demand that all freedom-loving Nations shall join together in a just and durable system of peace. ![]() All our allies want freedom to develop their lands and resources, to build up industry, to increase education and individual opportunity, and to raise standards of living.Īll our allies have learned by bitter experience that real development will not be possible if they are to be diverted from their purpose by repeated wars-or even threats of war.Ĭhina and Russia are truly united with Britain and America in recognition of this essential fact: In the plain down-to-earth talks that I had with the Generalissimo and Marshal Stalin and Prime Minister Churchill, it was abundantly clear that they are all most deeply interested in the resumption of peaceful progress by their own peoples-progress toward a better life. It means also economic security, social security, moral security-in a family of Nations. The one supreme objective for the future, which we discussed for each Nation individually, and for all the United Nations, can be summed up in one word: Security.Īnd that means not only physical security which provides safety from attacks by aggressors. We most certainly committed ourselves to very large and very specific military plans which require the use of all Allied forces to bring about the defeat of our enemies at the earliest possible time.īut there were no secret treaties or political or financial commitments. Churchill, and Marshal Stalin, and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek are all thoroughly conversant with the provisions of our Constitution. To such suspicious souls-using a polite terminology-I wish to say that Mr. Hull or I have made "commitments" for the future which might pledge this Nation to secret treaties, or to enacting the role of Santa Claus. That was a mistake which we are not repeating in this war.Īnd right here I want to address a word or two to some suspicious souls who are fearful that Mr. The result was a peace which was not a peace. There had been no previous opportunities for man-to-man discussions which lead to meetings of minds. In the last war such discussions, such meetings, did not even begin until the shooting had stopped and the delegates began to assemble at the peace table. But there were many vital questions concerning the future peace, and they were discussed in an atmosphere of complete candor and harmony. Hull went to Moscow in October, and when I went to Cairo and Teheran in November, we knew that we were in agreement with our allies in our common determination to fight and win this war. We are united in determination that this war shall not be followed by another interim which leads to new disaster- that we shall not repeat the tragic errors of ostrich isolationism-that we shall not repeat the excesses of the wild twenties when this Nation went for a joy ride on a roller coaster which ended in a tragic crash. ![]() Sacrifices that we and our allies are making impose upon us all a sacred obligation to see to it that out of this war we and our children will gain something better than mere survival. We have joined with like-minded people in order to defend ourselves in a world that has been gravely threatened with gangster rule.īut I do not think that any of us Americans can be content with mere survival. This Nation in the past two years has become an active partner in the world's greatest war against human slavery. ![]() State of the Union Message to Congress January 11, 1944
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