White House Press Release, Address of President Harry S. Truman at the University of California, Berkeley, California

250 HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE HOLD FOR RELEASE JUNE 11, 1948 CONFIDENTIAL The following address of the President to be delivered at the University of California, Berkeley, California, tomorrow, Saturday afternoon, June 12, 1948, MUST BE HELD IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE and no portion, synopsis or intimation may be given out, broadcast or published UNTIL DELIVERY HAS BEGUN. EXTREME CARE MUST BE EXERCISED TO AVOID PREMATURE PUBLICATION OR RADIO ANNOUNCEMENC The same caution applies to all newspapers, radio commentators and news broadcasters, both in the United States and abroad. CHARLES G. ROSS Secretary to the President PRESIDENT SPROUL, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: I deeply appreciate the privilege you have given me of taking. part in these exercises at this great university. I regret that I could not arrange my schedule to permit me to be here next week at the time for which you first invited me. NARA Under these circunstances, I an pleased that an adjustment could be made on the part of the university SO as to make it possible for me to be here today. Three years ago this month, across the bay in San Francisco, I witnessed the signing of the Charter of the United Nations. That Charter represents man's hope for a world order based on law, and for lasting peace based on justice. Today, I have come back to the shores of San Francisco Bay to discuss with you recent world events and, in particular, to appraise the progress we are making toward world peace. Many students here today and in colleges across the country are veterans. They fought for peace with freedom and justice. They, above all, have reason to expect's plain statement of the progress we are making in that direction. The American people know from experience that our daily lives are affected not only by what happens in this country, but also by events abroad. Most American families bear the scars and memories of a war which began thousands of miles from this Nation. Every American wants to be sure that this country is doing everything in its power to build a lasting peace and a just peace. We believe that such a peace can be achieved by the nations of the world. Anyone can talk of peace. But only the work that is done for peace really counts. I propose to describe the specific steps the United States has taken to obtain peace in the world. I propose, also, to discuss what further measures we must take, and what measures others must take, if our hopes for peace are to be fulfilled. I submit to you that the United States has consistently done its part in meeting the requirements for a peaceful world. We fought through World War II with only one purpose: to destroy the tyrants who tried to impose their rule on the world and enslave its people. We sought no territories; we asked for only token reparations. At the end of the war, we quickly dismantled the greatest military machine ever built by any nation. We withdrew and demobilized ( over)