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In the sum of our capabilities we have become the strongest military power on earth. But just as the Biblical Job had his boils, we have a cult of professional pessimists who, taking counsel of their fears, continually mouth the allegation that America has become a second-rate military power. This extraordinary assertion amazes our friends in the world who know better; it even bewilders many of our own people who have examined our 7½-year record of military expansion and who are not used to hearing their gigantic defense efforts so belittled.
Defense expenditures during the twelve months preceding the outbreak of the Korean War were less than 12 billion. Today we are spending, after seven years without hostilities, over three times that much, more than $41 billion annually, on a powerful, flexible and adequate defense establishment, which commands world-wide respect.
The United States today possesses a military establishment of incalculable power. Combined with the strength of our NATO, SEATO and other allies, the free world is prepared to meet any threat and, by its retaliatory strength, to face any potential aggressor with a mighty deterrent.
All this—all this—has been brought about by vigorous and imaginative leadership, the genius of our scientists, the skill of our armed forces, and by the sacrifices of the American people. To belittle this might, and the prestige, pride and capabilities of these groups does such violence to my sense of what is right that I have difficulty in restraining my feelings of indignation.
If we can be blessed with experienced and steady leadership in Washington, the possibility of the outbreak of future war will be minimized and we can eventually win the peace.
The World
In the pursuit of world peace, I have personally journeyed more than 90,000 miles during the past year and visited the people of more than a score of nations on four continents. I have heard the insistent demands of multitudes for the right to live their lives in peace, and I have seen and taken part in many impressive American initiatives directed toward this crucial goal. The United States has made proposal after proposal, each in good faith, in an effort to reduce tension in the world and to lessen the economic burden of armaments. Moreover, we are prepared always to consider any reasonable proposal made by others.
Only a few months ago the men in the Kremlin were calling for complete and total disarmament. But suddenly thereafter, they began devising one crisis after another.
They brutally wrecked the summit conference.
They have threatened us with missiles.
And today, they cold-bloodedly boast of shooting down one of our planes legitimately traveling over intercontinental waters.
The Soviet dictator has said that he has, in his recent journeys and speeches, succeeded in damaging the prestige of America.
Now, this is indeed an empty boast.
Concerning this matter of comparative national prestige, I challenge him to this test: Will he agree to the holding of free elections under the sponsorship of the United Nations to permit people everywhere in every nation on every continent to vote on one single simple issue?
And that issue is: Do you want to live under a Communist regime or under a free system such as is found in the United States?