No strings attached. If the people wanted to nationalize their industries (as England and France had decided to before ERP), they would be permitted to do so. If they wanted to rule out the influence of Wall Street monopolists, that too, would be strictly legitimate, and if they refused to buy America's surplus goods, such as may be dumped upon them under ERP, even that would not deprive them of the benefits of this recovery plan.
There would be one prohibition, though, and this would stick in all cases. No part of the fund could be used for military purposes. That would rule out our present operations in Greece, China, Indonesia, and Indo-China.
A great world granary would be set up by the UN under the plan. All farmers would be encouraged to produce the limit and a floor would be set, below which prices could not drop. Nations which needed the food could draw upon the granary and arrange for orderly payments. Surplus and starvation would both be eliminated. Farmers could plan ahead, and nutritional programs could be developed to raise the standard of the world, including the standards of our own ill-nourished third of a nation. We would win the fight against hunger. We could plan for plenty.
This plan would be put to work. But it would be internationalized, controlled by the UN. It would help to reconstruct the Europe it destroyed, while under the watchful eyes of the Big Four, it could not re-arm to destroy again. With that precaution, a united Germany could develop as a democratic nation.
That's the plan. It would mean real recovery for the world and peace, and the kind of stability that alone can achieve a lasting and wholesome prosperity for tradesmen, workers, and farmers. It is not visionary; it is a thousand times more practical than the proposed ERP. It is practical as peace is practical, and war is hopeless.
That plan for world peace and prosperity must replace the madness of hate and the blind, incredibly blundering diplomacy which has ranged us against the peoples of the world. We have a great choice to make. We can save the world or destroy it. That is why your vote in November will have consequences far beyond any considerations of political prejudice or tradition. The American voter this November will go to the polls, and the whole world will watch and wait and hold its breath while he casts his ballot.
The alternatives are plainly marked. Some roads will lead to war and depression, hate, and tyranny. There will be minor variations in the twists and turnings of these roads, but there is little to choose between them. There is another road, and it cannot but lead to peace and an abiding prosperity. The signpost to follow is Henry Wallace.
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