In this message it seems unnecessary that I should repeat recommendations involving our domestic affairs that have been urged upon the Congress during the past four years, but which, in some instances, did not reach the stage of completely satisfactory legislation.

The Administration will, through future messages either directly from me or from heads of the departments and agencies, transmit to the Congress specific recommendations.  These will involve our financial and fiscal affairs, our military and civil defenses; the administration of justice; our agricultural economy; our domestic and foreign commerce; the urgently needed increase in our postal rates; the development of our natural resources; our labor laws, including our labor-management relations legislation, and vital aspects of the health, education and welfare of our people.  There will be special recommendations dealing with such subjects as atomic energy, the furthering of public works, the continued efforts to eliminate government competition with the businesses of tax-paying citizens.

A number of legislative recommendations will be mentioned specifically in my forthcoming Budget Message, which will reach you within the week.  That message will also recommend such sums as are needed to implement the proposed action.

Turning to the international scene: 

The existence of a strongly armed imperialistic dictatorship poses a continuing threat to the free world’s and thus to our own Nation’s security and peace.  There are certain truths to be remembered here.

First, America alone and isolated cannot assure even its own security.  We must be joined by the capability and resolution of nations that have proved themselves dependable defenders of freedom.  Isolation from them invites war.  Our security is also enhanced by the immeasurable interest that joins us with all peoples who believe that peace with justice must be preserved, that wars of aggression are crimes against humanity.

Another truth is that our survival in today’s world requires modern, adequate, dependable military strength.  Our Nation has made great strides in assuring a modern defense, so armed in new weapons, so deployed, so equipped, that today our security force is the most powerful in our peacetime history.  It can punish heavily any enemy who undertakes to attack us.  It is a major deterrent to war.

By our research and development more efficient weapons-some of amazing capabilities—­are being constantly created.  These vital efforts we shall continue.  Yet we must not delude ourselves that safety necessarily increases as expenditures for military research or forces in being go up.  Indeed, beyond a wise and reasonable level, which is always changing and is under constant study, money spent on arms may be money wasted on sterile metal or inflated costs, thereby weakening the very security and strength we seek.

National security requires far more than military power.  Economic and moral factors play indispensable roles.  Any program that endangers our economy could defeat us.  Any weakening of our national will and resolution, any diminution of the vigor and initiative of our individual citizens, would strike a blow at the heart of our defenses.