In emphasizing that a balance of power is not a static thing, Stevenson criticized the theory of instantaneous atomic retaliation as insufficient to retain such a balance. Such a policy prevented neither Korea nor the situation in Indochina, he said.

Stevenson drew applause and one of the evening's few partisan reactions when he added, "We have all been somewhat reassured by recent statements from official sources that it is not our intention to rely in the future, any more than we have in the past, on a single weapon or a single strategy. But, if this is the case, I can hardly see what is so 'new' about the 'new look'!"

Warning the U.S. to remember that the nations of Western Europe are our allies and not satellites, Stevenson called their new scrutiny and criticism of our policies a wholesome sign. "We should certainly rejoice that our friends in Europe are not resigned to permanent dependency and, henceforth, propose to assume a more positive part in the direction of our common concern."

A Fellow Worker

Stevenson also pointed out that Europeans view the Communists in their countries differently than do the Americans. When we think of one of these communists, we think of a malevolent conspirator. "Most Europeans, on the other hand, think of a neighbor, friend, fellow worker or even relative who votes communist not to express his approval or preference for Russia, but to express his disapproval of the conditions in which he lives and works."

Turning to the problems in Asia, Stevenson said that the U.S. would be as "deeply concerned with these lands if Marx, Lenin, and Stalin had never lived. For poverty, oppression and ignorance have always been our concern. . . ."

Stevenson called again for understanding of a foreign people, suggesting that our alliance with the colonial powers of the West have made the East suspect our professed devotion to freedom as hypocritical. He called on America to "avoid the sins of self-righteousness and self-delusion in Asia. Our power," he concluded, "is not absolute nor is our faith infallible.