The free nations believe in the dignity and the worth of man.

We believe in independence for all nations.

We believe that free and independent nations can band together into a world order based on law.  We have laid the cornerstone of such a peaceful world in the United Nations.

We believe that such a world order can and should spread the benefits of modern science and industry, better health and education, more food and rising standards of living—­throughout the world.

These ideals give our cause a power and vitality that Russian communism can never command.

The free nations, however, are bound together by more than ideals.  They are a real community bound together also by the ties of self-interest and self-preservation.  If they should fall apart, the results would be fatal to human freedom.

Our own national security is deeply involved with that of the other free nations.  While they need our support, we equally need theirs.  Our national safety would be gravely prejudiced if the Soviet Union were to succeed in harnessing to its war machine the resources and the manpower of the free nations on the borders of its empire.

If Western Europe were to fall to Soviet Russia, it would double the Soviet supply of coal and triple the Soviet supply of steel.  If the free countries of Asia and Africa should fall to Soviet Russia, we would lose the sources of many of our most vital raw materials, including uranium, which is the basis of our atomic power.  And Soviet command of the manpower of the free nations of Europe and Asia would confront us with military forces which we could never hope to equal.

In such a situation, the Soviet Union could impose its demands on the world, without resort to conflict, simply through the preponderance of its economic and military power.  The Soviet Union does not have to attack the United States to secure domination of the world.  It can achieve its ends by isolating us and swallowing up all our allies.  Therefore, even if we were craven enough I do not believe we could be—­but, I say, even if we were craven enough to abandon our ideals, it would be disastrous for us to withdraw from the community of free nations.

We are the most powerful single member of this community, and we have a special responsibility.  We must take the leadership in meeting the challenge to freedom and in helping to protect the rights of independent nations.

This country has a practical, realistic program of action for meeting this challenge.

First, we shall have to extend economic assistance, where it can be effective.  The best way to stop subversion by the Kremlin is to strike at the roots of social injustice and economic disorder.  People who have jobs, homes, and hopes for the future will defend themselves against the underground agents of the Kremlin.  Our programs of economic aid have done much to turn back Communism,