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.

No nation by itself can carry these programs to success; they depend upon the cooperative and honest efforts of all participating countries.  Yet the leadership is inevitably ours.

I consider it of the highest importance that the Congress should authorize support for the European recovery program for the period from April 1, 1948, to June 30, 1952, with an initial amount for the first 15 months of $6.8 billion.  I urge the Congress to act promptly on this vital measure of our foreign policy—­on this decisive contribution to world peace.

We are following a sound, constructive, and practical course in carrying out our determination to achieve peace.