We have been giving substantial aid to Greece and Turkey to assist those nations in preserving their integrity against foreign pressures.  Had it not been for our aid, their situation today might well be radically different.  The continued integrity of those countries will have a powerful effect upon other nations in the Middle East and in Europe struggling to maintain their independence while they repair the damages of war.

The United States has special responsibilities with respect to the countries in which we have occupation forces:  Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea.  Our efforts to reach agreements on peace settlements for these countries have so far been blocked.  But we [p.8] shall continue to exert our utmost efforts to obtain satisfactory settlements for each of these nations.

Many thousands of displaced persons, still living in camps overseas, should be allowed entry into the United States.  I again urge the Congress to pass suitable legislation at once so that this Nation may do its share in caring for the homeless and suffering refugees of all faiths.  I believe that the admission of these persons will add to the strength and energy of this Nation.

We are moving toward our goal of world peace in many ways.  But the most important efforts which we are now making are those which support world economic reconstruction.  We are seeking to restore the world trading system which was shattered by the war and to remedy the economic paralysis which grips many countries.

To restore world trade we have recently taken the lead in bringing about the greatest reduction of world tariffs that the world has ever seen.  The extension of the provisions of the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act, which made this achievement possible, is of extreme importance.  We must also go on to support the International Trade Organization, through which we hope to obtain worldwide agreement on a code of fair conduct in international trade.

Our present major effort toward economic reconstruction is to support the program for recovery developed by the countries of Europe.  In my recent message to the Congress, I outlined the reasons why it is wise and necessary for the United States to extend this support.

I want to reaffirm my belief in the soundness and the promise of this proposal.  When the European economy is strengthened, the product of its industry will be of benefit to many other areas of economic distress.  The ability of free men to overcome hunger and despair will be a moral stimulus to the entire world.

We intend to work also with other nations in achieving world economic recovery.  We shall continue our cooperation with the nations of the Western Hemisphere.  A special program of assistance to China, to provide urgent relief needs and to speed reconstruction, will be submitted to the Congress.

Unfortunately, not all governments share the hope of the people of the United States that economic reconstruction in many areas of the world can be achieved through cooperative effort among nations.  In spite of these differences we will go forward with our efforts to overcome economic paralysis.