Speech #890166375

I quote a few of my earlier remarks as follows: We are talking here. however. of a major war involving thousands of American casualties. the expenditure of billions of dollars. vast bloodshed and destruction for the Vietnamese people. and an uncertain outcome. There are other possible side results of such a war that may be even more serious in the long run than the war Itself. Including: (1) the worsening of relations between the worlds two major nuclear powers. the Soviet Union and the United States. (2) the strengthening of the most belligerent leadership elements in the Communist world and the weakening of the moderate forces. (3) the growing conviction in Asia. whether justified or not. that the United States is a militaristic power with a low regard for the lives of Asiatics and an excessive concern over other peoples ideologies and political struggles. and (4) the derailment of efforts toward world peace and the improvement of life in the developing countries. to say nothing of Its impact on our own hopes. for a better society. The questions now before us. I said on July 27. are: (1) Do we continue to accelerate the struggle toward a major war? (2) Do we call it off and withdraw our forces? or (3) Do we consolidate our present position. keep our casualties at a minimum. and hold out indefinitely for a negotiated settlement?