Statement by Commissioner of Education Earl McGrath, International Education and U.S. Foreign Policy, Submitted to the Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND U. S. FOREIGN POLICY A basic United States foreign policy is to strengthen the free world so as to combat the spread of totalitarian Communism. There are two main ways to strengthen the free world: by increasing our military strength, and by strengthening the economies of the non-Communist nations. In view of the probable nature of any future war, the latter alternative may be at least as effective as the former. One way to combat Communism peacefully is by developing in other non-Communist nations both the will and the capacity to stand up with the American people to resist it. This I conceive to be one of the basic purposes of the international educational programs of this Government. International Education is one of the most effective instruments of the Nation's foreign policy. It is perhaps the best device we know for developing a sense of unity based on improved understanding among the free peoples. Internationa] Communism seeks to divide and to conquer. International Education, through the international interchange of peoples, reduces geographic and cultural barriers and brings people together to begin to know and to understand one another. The problem of creating quickly a strong, free world community in the face of constant Communist pressure demands a new kind of diplomacy. This statement represents the personal views of Earl J. McGrath, U. S. Commissioner of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Statement was submitted to the Subcommittee of Senate Foreign Relations Committee April 13, 1953.