These principles give meaning to all that we do.

In foreign policy, they mean that we can never be tolerant of oppression or tyranny.  They mean that we must throw our weight on the side of greater freedom and a better life for all peoples.  These principles confirm us in carrying out the specific programs for peace which we have already begun.

We shall continue to give our wholehearted support to the United Nations.  We believe that this organization can ultimately provide the framework of international law and morality without which mankind cannot survive.  It has already set up new standards for the conduct of nations in the Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on Genocide.  It is moving ahead to give meaning to the concept of world brotherhood through a wide variety of cultural, economic, and technical activities.

The events of the past year again showed the value of the United Nations in bringing about the peaceful adjustment of tense international controversies.  In Indonesia and in Palestine the efforts of the United Nations have put a stop to bloodshed and paved the way to peaceful settlements.

We are working toward the time when the United Nations will control weapons of mass destruction and will have the forces to preserve international law and order.  While the world remains unsettled, however, and as long as our own security and the security of the free world require, we will maintain a strong and well-balanced defense organization.  The Selective Service System is an essential part of our defense plans, and it must be continued.

Under the principles of the United Nations Charter we must continue to share in the common defense of free nations against aggression.  At the last session this Congress laid the basis for this joint effort.  We now must put into effect the common defense plans that are being worked out.

We shall continue our efforts for world economic recovery, because world prosperity is the only sure foundation of a permanent peace.

As an immediate means to this end we must continue our support of the European recovery program.  This program has achieved great success in the first 2 years of its operation, but it has not yet been completed.  If we were to stop this program now, or cripple it, just because it is succeeding, we should be doing exactly what the enemies of democracy want us to do.  We should be just as foolish as a man who, for reasons of false economy, failed to put a roof on his house after building the foundation and the walls.

World prosperity also requires that we do all we can to expand world trade.  As a major step in this direction we should promptly join the International Trade Organization.  The purpose of this organization, which the United States has been foremost in creating, is to establish a code of fair practice, and an international authority for adjusting differences in international commercial relations.  It is an effort to prevent