"THE MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC ON EARTH"

JFK TALKS WORLD PEACE, DISCUSSIONS ON NUCLEAR TEST BAN TREATY TO BEGIN SOON

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy announced that "high level discussions on a nuclear test ban treaty* will begin soon in Moscow."

In the meantime, the President pledges that the United States will "refrain from further atmospheric tests."

The talks, slated to begin in July, will include representatives of President Kennedy, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

The President, speaking at commencement exercises on the campus of American University here in the Nation's Capital, said...

"Our hopes must be tempered with the caution of history but with our hopes go the hopes of all mankind."

David Broder writes that President Kennedy called world peace....

"the most important topic on earth."

 JFK+50 NOTE

Republican leaders spoke out against a treaty while the Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed it "under almost any terms."  In March 1963, JFK himself was "not hopeful" it could succeed.  By June, things were looking better but it was JFK's American University speech that convinced the Soviets to agree to negotiate.

In late July, JFK spoke directly to the American people in an appeal for their support of the treaty.  All along, it would take a miracle for the US Senate to approve it but on September 24 it did so by a vote of 80 to 19.

James W. Douglass writes that JFK had won but asks the question "Did it cost him his life?"

*The Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963) prohibited all nuclear testing in the atmosphere, outer space & underwater.  Drafted by the U.S., GB & USSR it was signed on Aug 5 & took effect on Oct 10 1963. JFK considered it his greatest accomplishment as POTUS.

SOURCES

"JFK And The Unspeakable," by James W. Douglass, Orbis Books, New York, 2008

"Talks on A-Ban Set in Moscow," by David S. Broder, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 10, 1963, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

"The Limited Test Ban Treaty, 1963," Office of the Historian, www.history.state.gov/

 JFK Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

JFK Presidential Library

www.history.state.gov/

"DEMOCRAT SAYS WORLD TRADE CONFERENCE MORE IMPORTANT"

GOP SENATOR PROPOSES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR CONFERENCE ON WORLD PEACE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On April 7, 1924, Senator George W. Pepper* (R-Pennsylvania) introduced a "joint resolution proposing a world peace conference."

The proposed resolution states the United States Senate should advise the President that "the time is suitable for the assembling of a conference similar to those held at The Hague."

It also calls for "further reduction of all armaments" and establishment of a world court.

There was opposition to the resolution on the Democratic side.  New York Senator Royal S. Copeland**, for example, suggested a conference on world trade is much more important.

*George Wharton Pepper (1867-1961) was born in Philadelphia, PA & graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1889.  GWP taught at the PA Law School 1893-1910 & served in the US Senate 1922-1927.

**Royal Samuel Copeland (1868-1938) was educated at Easter Michigan University & the University of Michigan.  RSC was mayor of Ann Arbor, MI 1901-1903 & US Senator 1923-1938.  

SOURCE

"New World Parley On Peace Proposed By Senator Pepper," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., April 7, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Senator Pepper Playing Baseball with Pages

1920s

US Senate Historical Office