President Truman’s Campaign of Truth and the Crusade for Freedom ©

 Truman’s Campaign of Truth and the Crusade for Freedom

 

On April 20, 1950, President Truman spoke at a luncheon of the American Society of Newspaper Editors on American foreign policy. He called for a “campaign of truth” in the United States information programs:

 

The cause of freedom is being challenged throughout the world today by the forces of imperialistic communism. This is a struggle, above all else, for the minds of men. Propaganda is one of the most powerful weapons the Communists have in this struggle. Deceit, distortion and lies are systematically used by them as a matter of deliberate policy.

 

This propaganda can be overcome by the truth--plain, simple, unvarnished truth-presented by the newspapers, radio, newsreels, and other sources that the people trust. If the people are not told the truth, or if they do not have confidence in the accuracy and fairness of the press, they have no defense against falsehoods. But if they are given the true facts, these falsehoods become laughable instead of dangerous.

 

We must make ourselves known as we really are--not as Communist propaganda pictures us. We must pool our efforts with those of other free peoples in a sustained, intensified program to promote the cause of freedom against the propaganda of slavery. We must make ourselves heard round the world in a great campaign of truth. 

 

Crusade for Freedom Announcement

 

Also on April 26, 1950, DeWitt C. Poole announced that Retired General Clay accepted the position of Chairman of the Crusade for Freedom. In Clay’s name, an emotional statement of purpose of the Crusade was issued to the press, which, in part, read:

 

The soul of the world is sick, and the peoples of the world are looking to the United States for leadership and hope…They are looking to us for leadership in a great moral crusade—a crusade for freedom, friendship and faith throughout the earth…If we to prove equal to this desperate need, each U.S. citizen must feel a personal responsibility.  We cannot leave the job to government alone. 

 

We have suffered serious setbacks in the contest of ideas between our way of life and totalitarianism.  

 

It is with a great deal of humility that I have accepted responsibility as national chairman of this Crusade, for I am convinced that upon its success could very well depend the prevention of World War III. 

 

On the same day, the National Committee for a Free Europe sent a telegram, under the names of General Clay and Joseph Grew, NCFE Board Chairman, to President Truman advising him of the new Crusade for Freedom and it’s future plans:

 

In your speech of April 20, you urged private initiative in expressing the voice of freedom. The National Committee for a Free Europe was organized for this purpose, and particularly to help those who love freedom and, as a result, have been exiled to continue to fight for the restoration of freedom in their countries. We believe that the American people are ready for a crusade for freedom which will not only support the voices of those from behind the Iron Curtain who have lost freedom and home but will augment their voices with an overwhelming expression from free people in this country and everywhere of their faith and confidence that there will yet be a free world. 

 

We recognize the additional responsibility which has been thrust upon us by your challenging words, and we want to assure you that we are proceeding immediately with every resource at our disposal to organize in this country a crusade for freedom which will be a genuine expression of the will of the American people and which, through Radio Free Europe and other facilities, will be carried throughout the world. We have every confidence that the American people will join enthusiastically in this crusade to preserve their heritage, and thus respond fully and promptly to your expression of faith. 

 

President Truman responded with letters to General Clay and Joseph Grew:

 

Your telegram of April twenty-sixth, advising me that the National Committee for a Free Europe is launching a nationwide crusade for freedom, meets with my heartiest approval. I hope that all Americans will join with you in dedicating themselves to this critical struggle for men's minds. I am deeply gratified by your prompt response to my appeal of April twentieth, in which I emphasized the important role of private groups and organizations in this great endeavor.