Second, we shall need to continue our military assistance to countries which want to defend themselves.

The heart of our common defense effort is the North Atlantic community.  The defense of Europe is the basis for the defense of the whole free world—­ourselves included.  Next to the United States, Europe is the largest workshop in the world.  It is also a homeland of the great religious beliefs shared by many of our citizens beliefs which are now threatened by the tide of atheistic communism.

Strategically, economically, and morally, the defense of Europe is a part of our own defense.  That is why we have joined with the countries of Europe in the North Atlantic Treaty, pledging ourselves to work with them.

There has been much discussion recently over whether the European countries are willing to defend themselves.  Their actions are answering this question.

Our North Atlantic Treaty partners have strict systems of universal military training.  Several have recently increased the term of service.  All have taken measures to improve the quality of training.  Forces are being trained and expanded as rapidly as the necessary arms and equipment can be supplied from their factories and ours.  Our North Atlantic Treaty partners, together, are building armies bigger than our own.

None of the North Atlantic Treaty countries, including our own country, has done enough yet.  But real progress is being made.  Together, we have worked out defense plans.  The military leaders of our own country took part in working out these plans, and are agreed that they are sound and within our capabilities.

To put these plans into action, we sent to Europe last week one of our greatest military commanders, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

General Eisenhower went to Europe to assume command of the united forces of the North Atlantic Treaty countries, including our own forces in Germany.

The people of Europe have confidence in General Eisenhower.  They know his ability to put together a fighting force of allies.  His mission is vital to our security.  We should all stand behind him, and give him every bit of help we can.

Part of our job will be to reinforce the military strength of our European partners by sending them weapons and equipment as our military production expands.

Our program of military assistance extends to the nations in the Near East and the Far East which are trying to defend their freedom.  Soviet communism is trying to make these nations into colonies, and to use their people as cannon fodder in new wars of conquest.  We want their people to be free men and to enjoy peace.

Our country has always stood for freedom for the peoples of Asia.  Long, long ago it stood for the freedom of the peoples of Asia.  Our history shows this.  We have demonstrated it in the Philippines.  We have demonstrated it in our relations with Indonesia, India, and with China.  We hope to join in restoring the people of Japan to membership in the community of free nations.