Over the past year the Soviet Union has expressed an interest in measures to reduce the common peril of war.

While neither we nor any other Free World nation can permit ourselves to be misled by pleasant promises until they are tested by performance, yet we approach this apparently new opportunity with the utmost seriousness.  We must strive to break the calamitous cycle of frustrations and crises which, if unchecked, could spiral into nuclear disaster; the ultimate insanity.

Though the need for dependable agreements to assure against resort to force in settling disputes is apparent to both sides yet as in other issues dividing men and nations, we cannot expect sudden and revolutionary results.  But we must find some place to begin.

One obvious road on which to make a useful start is in the widening of communication between our two peoples.  In this field there are, both sides willing, countless opportunities—­most of them well known to us all—­for developing mutual understanding, the true foundation of peace.

Another avenue may be through the reopening, on January twelfth, of negotiations looking to a controlled ban on the testing of nuclear weapons.  Unfortunately, the closing statement from the Soviet scientists who met with our scientists at Geneva in an unsuccessful effort to develop an agreed basis for a test ban, gives the clear impression that their conclusions have been politically guided.  Those of the British and American scientific representatives are their own freely-formed, individual and collective opinion.  I am hopeful that as new negotiations begin, truth—­not political opportunism—­will be the guiding light of the deliberations.

Still another avenue may be found in the field of disarmament, in which the Soviets have professed a readiness to negotiate seriously.  They have not, however, made clear the plans they may have, if any, for mutual inspection and verification—­the essential condition for any extensive measure of disarmament.

There is one instance where our initiative for peace has recently been successful.  A multi-lateral treaty signed last month provides for the exclusively peaceful use of Antarctica, assured by a system of inspection.  It provides for free and cooperative scientific research in that continent, and prohibits nuclear explosions there pending general international agreement on the subject.  The Treaty is a significant contribution toward peace, international cooperation, and the advancement of science.  I shall transmit its text to the Senate for consideration and approval in the near future.

The United States is always ready to participate with the Soviet Union in serious discussion of these or any other subjects that may lead to peace with justice.

Certainly it is not necessary to repeat that the United States has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of any nation; likewise we reject any attempt to impose its system on us or on other peoples by force or subversion.