President Johnson - Address at Syracuse University, 1964-08-04; Followed by recap of Vietnam events including LBJ speech, 1964-08-04

WR- VR have just received word has just receive word that the UN security council meeting will take place at 3 o'clock this afternoon instead of 12 noon, as previously announced. WRVR will bring you this meeting of the UN security council this afternoon at 3:00. We now return to Syracuse University. ?inaudible? [Host]: The Secret Service and the Syracuse police department have been maintaining complete surveillance and guarding the life of President Johnson of another critical time in world history. The address by the president is being broadcast live by radio New York world wide and by a New York radio station WRVR. The president was scheduled to speak at this site for some months now and the address was not cancelled perhaps this will be an opportunity for the president to reaching group of Americans in the world with some important policy statements about the United States posture in the Vietnam crisis and in the

entire far east. The far east and the prices with communist China has been brewing for many years and now we're going to switch back to Syracuse, Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, is escorting President Johnson to the podium. [President's theme] [applause] [Host]: President is stepping to the podium, Governor Rockefeller is right beside him and there are Secret Service men [music playing] ?inaudible? ?Governor? [music] Chancellor William P. Tolley will now introduce the President of the United States ?inaudible? [applause]

?inaudible? [Host]: The President of United States is receiving the applause of the assembled students alumni of Syracuse, he's about to be introduced by the President of Syracuse University. We are advised now that the United Nations security council scheduled for the security council meeting has been delayed until 3:00 pm daylight time which is 2:00 pm standard time so ready on New York worldwide and her New York WRVR, will be broadcasting as of 2:00 pm. The security

council meeting delayed 3 hours, perhaps because of further developments and the necessity for getting the latest information conveyed diplomatically to the various world capitals to instruct the members of the council and so the security council meeting which we had anticipated for 45 minutes from now will be delayed for approximately 3 hours and it will be broadcast beginning at 2:00 pm eastern standard time, however radio New York worldwide, immediately following the President's address will re-summarize the crisis in Vietnam and will present perhaps the review of the President's remarks of last evening plus the two press conferences of Secretary of Defense McNamara and other developments [phone rings] now were about ready to switch down the floor where the President of the university is announcing the invocation and all of the various mortarboard hats of the assembled honored guests and of course of those holding honorary degrees are removed we switch to the podium for the invocation ?inaudible? [Tolley]: ?inaudible?

?inaudible? ?inaudible? [pause] [Tolley]: We pray that the magnificent project we dedicated today may further human understanding among racial groups are between east and west and they ease the tensions of religious differences. We envision the mighty contribution to our culture and the efforts of those communications center to banish illiteracy and ignorance and to bring increased enrichment to minds waiting for creative spark. A new sharing of individual responsibility opens before us as we consider the increased

knowledge all of us will now posses, regarding the facts in any given situation here and abroad. Our leaders in all areas may now meet us in our homes and debate current problems with us we see our questions of freedom under-girded by this new light dramatized fall hopes will be the dynamics of our national goals in drama, art, music manufacturing, politics, religion, and education. For the unfolding of these vast possibilities we give thee thanks oh God. Let thy blessings be upon all who will study and teach here on those who have seen their vision and generosity ripen and bare fruit. On all use these facilities for the strengthening of our country and the healing of the nations, especially do we pray for our chief executive as he continues to meet the challenge of his awesome responsibility, quicken his mind and heart

so the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, for all of us let there be a renewal of faith in the human spirit, a strengthening to our loyalty to Syracuse and a re-dedication to thy purposes of good and to thee be all the honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. [pause] [National anthem] Oh say can you see, by the dawns early light, what's so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, o'er the ramparts we watched, we're so gallantly streaming, and the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave prove through the night, that our flag was still there, oh say does that star-spangled banner yet

wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of brave. [Host]: The Star Spangled Banner has been sung to the accompaniment of the Syracuse University band and the choral leader of the university led the group in song, although he was the only one heard on microphone because of the placement of these hastily erected microphones an address that would perhaps be heard in Syracuse, but would not be heard at the same time the United States had it not been for the fast developing, the Vietnamese crisis, now there is silence and readiness as we await the moment when President Johnson will speak he will be introduced by the

president of the university of Syracuse [Tolley]: President Johnson, Governor Rockefeller, Dr. Newhouse, distinguished guests on the platform and in the audience, fellow colleagues on the faculty and fellow Syracusians. It is a deep privilege to welcome you to this historical event in the life of the university and to this year beautiful new facility just as the Newhouse communications center, places a new perspective the whole lower campus of the university and the familiar landmarks of historic prowess and world famous Maxwell School of Citizenship and the venerable hall of languages the first building on the campus. We have high hopes that this

center will stimulate a new level of imaginative teaching, imaginative learning, and imaginative research. For those of us who live and work here this building already, in the words of the late Robert Frost asks of us a certain height. University will be celebrating its 100th year in 19- 70 and August 5th, 1964 will be be one of the peaks is the centennial decade as we look back. We take special pride at Syracuse and the fact that our chancellor graduated from Syracuse University in the class of 1922. He earned his doctorate philosophy degree at Columbia University in 1930 and a year later became the youngest college president in america, as president of

Allegheny College. A short 9 years after graduating from this institution he was called back to his Alma mater in 1942 as it- [Host]: This is the president of Syracuse University now introducing the chancellor and other speakers apparently President Johnson remarks will not be heard for some moments now. We'll take this moment now to recapitulate the developments of the past 24 hours and it was approximately 24 hours ago in the waters off the coast of North Vietnam known as the Gulf of Tonkin that forces identified by the United States military as North Vietnamese in PT-boat another fast moving craft made their second attack in 3 days on elements of the United States 7th fleet including, the Turner Joy, a United States destroyer as well as the destroyer, Maddox, which was involved in the first attack over the weekend. The attacks took place as we indicated approximately

24 hours ago, they were, of course, instantly reported to the chief of naval operations at the Pentagon as well as to the military headquarters in Washington at the White House, the sea headquarters in Honolulu, and the headquarters in operating flights ships of the 7th fleet of the United States, which operate a fleet of well over a 125 major vessels in the Pacific. These reports were then conveyed directly to President Johnson who, of course, brought to the world and the United States made late statement dark night of last evening approximately midnight, New York time, when alerted the American people that he was ordering immediate retaliation. He said as he spoke against, not only the vessels that attacked the elements of the 7th fleet but also against their bases in North Vietnam. It was indeed of this morning the Secretary of Defense McNamara then indicated that these raids were carried out. The 26 vessels were destroyed in 64 United States sorties and the 2 American plans and their flyers were lost in

the incident now the president of the United States following on the heels of these developments is about to speak to the graduates and the assembled alumni of Syracuse University. He is here in Syracuse they say to dedicate a communications school, but of course will take this opportunity as we have been alerted by advanced texts now coming over the news wires to talk of the Vietnamese crisis and again to go over in detail the steps that led to the actions of the United States is taking in the area and to the precautionary actions that are involving United States military and diplomatic horses throughout the world. Let's switch down the podium where he's being introduced, the President, by the president of the university. [Tolley]: -it was not easy for him to leave his duties in Washington to be with us and we are deeply grateful that he's here this is now to which we've been looking forward for a long time

it's a significant occasion, not only for the city and the university, what we believe for the nation and the world. The dedication of this first unit, the first of 3 magnificent buildings designed by Mr. I.M. Pei. One of the great architects of our time. Give substance to the promise that the center of our Newhouse communication center may in the not too distant future, be the largest the most comprehensive and we hope the most influential center of instruction, research, and service to mass media and the arts of communication. Thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Newhouse the tools have been and will be provided, the opportunity is unequal. And unlike, the weather earlier this morning, the horizons are unlimited.

We're grateful, we're both proud and humble that we have this opportunity. We're determined to make the most of it. We shall work without ceasing to be worthy of this trust and in the vision of what is possible we shall renew our strength. It is no main ambition to aspire to be the best in any field It is a singularly high and difficult ambition to aim at international leadership in the communication arts. As Mr. Newhouse, said so eloquently in his address at the dinner in his honor last evening, the mass media are enormously influential. They affect human judgment, shape our desires, and influence our choices.

They can run a community into complacency or charge the atmosphere with reforming zeal. They can appeal to the grossest urges or cultivate the highest aspirations. They can subvert an entire nation or they can enhance an open society, and then they said we are entrusted with instruments of massive power. The press, the microphone, and the camera. Indeed they the crucial weapon in this struggle from men's minds and hearts, they are also vital impliment of creating a good society. The end of this quotation [pause] and if the governor noted in his speech last evening there can be a tremendous force for international understanding and peace. It is a sobering responsibility

with a divide an educational program adequate to prepare young men and women interact with wisdom and understanding, such the enormous power. It is even more sobering to appraise the current weaknesses. The turns in the road not taken, the opportunity is missed, the power misused or poorly used. The need for new leadership and new directions is easy to state, it may not be too difficult to prove but to achieve this leadership and redirection is a problem of a very different order of magnitude. Yet this is the role of the university communications center the first building of which we dedicate this morning. A university is not a mirror, but it is more like a candle in the dark. Or if you like a tremendous

beacon of light. It is not an echo of the world's opinion, it must on occasion be a voice in the wilderness. A voice preparing the way, the university has a a leadership role, it must provide the unique contribution of the scholar. The critic, the judge, ?inaudible? and the prophet. The scholarship must be as great as possible in length and height and depth.. It must ask the really searching questions, the questions that really count that go to the heart of the matter. In it's research it must be completely honest, objective, and dedicated to the true. [Host]: You're listening to the introduction by the president of Syracuse University of the President of the United States who will actually dedicate the new communications center at Syracuse, but indeed this is the remark it is being made on the dedication of that institution. We have been advised that the delay in the United Nations security

council meeting on the United States complaint against North Vietnam, which has now been postponed from 11:00 am eastern standard time, 12:00 noon local New York time until 2:00 pm standard time or 3:00 pm daylight time was because the Soviet delegation asked for the additional time. Perhaps there might be much explanation for this that there are some political observers who speculate that indeed the entire far eastern situation, the crisis precipitated by the PT-boat attacks on the \United States the 7th fleet placed the Soviet Union in a very difficult position because of the communist Chinese the ideological struggle between Moscow and Peking which has been challenging the Soviet position of moderation in the Cold War now places the Soviet Union in the position of having to make a decision as to whether to aggressively support the firm anger of the Chinese communist and North Vietnamese against the United States for what they called unprovoked American aggression or whether to try to take a more moderate line. Premier Khrushchev is on a tour of the

provinces and it has been said has been less available for immediate action on this crisis and he might be had he been Moscow perhaps the delay asked for by the Soviet Union at the UN might be because of Soviet delegation needs additional time to get instructions and these instructions in the Soviet power hierarchy must indeed come from the top as well as from the foreign ministry and so the delay in the United Nation security council all of that of course speculation. The assembled graduates and the honored guests at Syracuse await the speech by President Lyndon Johnson of the United States, the wife of the chief executive is there as are many other high level officials we are told to that there is a considerable body of United States Secret Service agents, in addition to members of the New York state police Syracuse local police authorities and others who are guarding the President. This is a large open air gathering. It is one of the few that he has attended of this type, since the assassination of President Kennedy on November 22nd, 1963 and so of

course at a particularly critical time in world affairs there is great urgency about protecting the President great concern on the part of all. We're also advised that the President will fly back to Washington immediately following his address we will not engage in any conversations as originally planned with officials at Syracuse University but will return to his White House office where he will probably continue to receive further briefings from the Pentagon and the state department. Worldwide reaction to the crisis has been coming in and there are two international meetings scheduled today perhaps already underway an emergency session of the SEATO Southeast Asia treaty organization council in Bangkok, Thailand called to discuss what coordinated action SEATO members may take in this crisis. SEATO is an organization members of whom consist of Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, The United States and Great Britain, these other powers who are guaranteeing the treaty positions in which the United States is involved. Now present, Newhouse of Syracuse University steps to the podium. [Newhouse]: Ladies and gentlemen I have a

great, great honor of presenting the President of the United States [applause] [applause] [applause] [Johnson]: Dr. Newhouse, Mr. Tolley, Governor and Mrs. Rockefeller, members of the Congress, distinguished guests, members of the faculty, ladies and gentlemen, I know that you share with me the great admiration and pride the generosity of Dr. Newhouse who has made possible for this, of our nation and for this great institution

we all are in his debt and in the years and generations and centuries to come we will see the product of this great adventure. On this occasion it is fitting I think that we're meeting here to dedicate this new center to better understanding among all men. For that is my purpose and speaking now. Last night I spoke to the people of the nation this morning, I speak to the people of all nations, so that they may understand without mistake our purposes when the actions we have been required to take. On August 2nd, the United States destroyer

Maddox was attacked on the high seas in the Gulf of Tonkin, by hostile vessels of the government of North Vietnam. On August 4th that attack was repeated in those same waters against two United States destroyers, the attacks were deliberate. The attacks were unprovoked, the attacks have been answered. [applause] [applause cont.] Throughout last night and in the last 12 hours, our units of the-

the United States Seventh Fleet have sought out the hostile vessels and certain of this supporting facilities appropriate on the action has been taken against them. The United States is now asking that this be brought immediately and urgently before the security council of the United Nations. We welcome when we invited, the scrutiny of all man who seek peace, our peace was the only purpose of the course that America pursues. The Gulf of Tonkin maybe distant, but none can be detached about what has happened there: aggression,

deliberate, willful and systematic aggression has unmasked its face to the entire world the world remembers. The world must never forget that aggression unchallenged is aggression unleashed. [applause] We of the United States have not forgotten. That is why we have ushered this aggression with action. Our course [applause] America's course is not presented America's course is not without long provocation

for 10 years, 3 American Presidents: President Eisenhower, President Kennedy, and your present President and the american people have been actively concerned with threats to the peace and security of the people of Southeast Asia from the communist government of North Vietnam. President Eisenhower saw it and President Kennedy saw it the same objectives that I still see, but the governments of Southeast Asia honor the international agreements, which apply in the area. That those governments leave each other alone. That they resolve their differences

peacefully. That they develop their talents to bettering the lives of their peoples. By working against poverty and disease and ignorance. In 1954, we made our position player toward Vietnam. In June of that year, we stated, we would view any renewal of aggression in violation of 1954 agreements with grave concern and as seriously threatening international peace in security. In September, of that year, the United States signed a Manila Pact, on which our participation in SEATO is based That pact recognized that aggression by means of armed attack on South Vietnam

would endanger the peace and safety of the nation's shining that sale of agreement. In 1962, we made position clear toward loss, we signed the Declaration of Neutrality ?inaudible? that accord provided for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and respectfully neutrality and independence of our little country. The agreements of 1954 and 1962 were also signed by the government of North Vietnam. In 1954, that government pledged that it would respect the territory under the military control of the other party and engage in no hostile act against the other party. In 1962, that government pledged that it would not

introduce into the Kingdom of Laos, foreign troops or military personnel. That government also pledged that it would not use the territory of the Kingdom of Laos for interference in the internal affairs of other countries. That government of North Vietnam is now willfully and systematically violating those agreements of both 1954 and 1962. [pause] To the south, it is engaged in aggression against the Republic of Vietnam to the worst it is engaged in aggression against the Kingdom of Laos. For the east, it has now struck out on the high seas in an act of aggression against the United States of America

there can be there must be no doubt about the policy and no doubt about the purpose. So that- [applause] so there can be no doubt about the responsibilities of man and the responsibilities of nations that are devoted to peace. Peace cannot be assured merrily by sharing the safety of the United States the story of Maddox [pause] and the safety of other vessels of other flags. Peace requires that the existing agreements in the area will be honored. Peace requires that we and all our friends stand firm against the present aggressions of the government

North Vietnam. [applause] [applause] The government of North Vietnam is today violating the will of the world for peace. The world is challenged to make its will against war known and to make it known clearly and to make it felt and to make it felt decisively. To our friends of the Atlantic alliance, let me say this, this morning the challenge that we face in Southeast Asia today, is the same challenge that we have faced with courage and that we have met with strength in Greece and Turkey, in Berlin, in Korea, in Lebanon, and in Cuba and to any who may be tempted to support or to widen the Persian aggression- I say this

there is no threat to any peaceful power than the United States of America [applause] but there can be no peace by aggression and no immunity can repair. [applause] and that is what is meant by the actions that we took on yesterday [applause] Finally my fellow Americans, I would like to say to our land

adversary alike let no ?inaudible? ?leaderless-ly fear? so they know hope that this nation divided in this election year [applause] [applause cont.] Our free elections, our goal and free debate are America's strengths not America's weakness. [applause] There are no parties

there is no partner- partisanship. When our peace, all the peace the world is impaired by aggressors in any part of the world. [applause] We are one nation united and indivisible and united and indivisible we shall remain. [applause] [Host]: You've just heard an address by President Lyndon Johnson speaking from Syracuse University from dedication ceremonies at that the school's Newhouse communications center in this addressed the President said that the United States has met deliberate aggression with deliberate action against the North Vietnamese in an address, which was highlighted by many burst of applause the President said aggression

unchallenged is aggression unleashed. In other events, relating to the crisis in Southeast Asia ABC correspondent John McVain has informed us of the special United Nations security council session requested by the United States has been postponed from 12:00 noon until 3:00 this afternoon eastern daylight time at the request of the Soviet Union. These- [different speaker]: This is Mitchell- will call us back in the radio New York worldwide studios the broadcasts of both the President's address this morning and the United Nations security council meeting scheduled for this afternoon in New York which will be at 2:00 pm eastern standard time 3:00 pm New York local time will be broadcast both by radio New York worldwide and here New York City by WRVR New York. We have just also been advised from the radio New York worldwide newsroom that the first official reaction has come from the capital of North Vietnam, the capital city of Hanoi, a report monitored from North Vietnam radio said that the United States

attack against the North Vietnamese bases, these bases from which the boats came that attacked the United States Seventh fleet elements in the Gulf of Tonkin that this attack would result and has already resulted in the greatest consequences to the United States. However, the North Vietnamese radio did not specify what these grave consequences were. As we pointed out earlier the delay in the security council meeting from noon local time a New York until 3:00 pm New York local time with occasion as a result of a request by the United States, uh- by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic rather. The United States had requested the original meeting and indeed it within the communist world there is perhaps considerable discussion and debate about the next steps is also significant that the Writers News Agency which is the only major news agency serving the United States as well as other parts of the world that maintains a correspondent in the capital of communist China, in Peking, has not issued a dispatch today as yet from that power center of the far east the world is awaiting reaction from

Peking as to what the Chinese communist will say officially and whether they would plan any action. It has been reported that there are agreements existing between the government of North Vietnam and the government of communist China. An alliance which conceivably could bring the communist Chinese into the picture in defense of the North Vietnamese. On the other side of the coin however, there are two other agreement affecting the situation within this part of the world the Southeast Asian area one is the SEATO agreement- Southeast Asia Treaty Organization of which the United States, Thailand, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia are members. This agreement would bring the forces of all of these countries bare if the case of the aggression occurred in this area. The other agreement is the Armistice Agreement of Geneva of 1954, of which all of those nations were signatories in addition to France this Armistice Agreement does regulate the amount of military equipment which can be placed at the disposal of forces in either North or South Vietnam an agreement which has been the subject of considerable debate not only with

regard to the two parts of Vietnam but also with regard to the area known as Laos, the country neighboring and also Cambodia and so the introduction of supersonic United States jet planes into the area around Saigon for the purpose of air defense could conceivably be considered a violation of the Geneva agreement. Of course, the Geneva agreement international control commission itself has been on the verge of collapse with various threats of withdrawal by the Soviet Union with regard to the situation in Laos and so there it stands a very tangled diplomatics game today and perhaps a very critical military situation. We'd like now to present a recapitulation of developments in the area of Vietnam and also the reactions from various world capitals including Washington. The latest word from Washington as released in a press conference by the Defense Secretary Robert McNamara has been that striking back on President Johnson's orders the United States Navy today bombed four bases in North Vietnam destroying or damaging

about 25 communist patrol boats and sending an oil depot up in flames. Two american planes were shot down by anti-aircraft fire from the red ground batteries and their pilots were presumed lost the 5 hour raid was carried out by planes from the carriers Ticonderoga and Consolation in retaliation for 2 attacks by North Vietnamese patrol boats on American destroyers patrolling international waters. President Johnson in his speech, which was just broadcast on this station, at Syracuse, New York City ordered the airstrikes to show the communists that deliberate, willful, and systematic aggression will not go unchallenged preparing for any eventuality the defense department dispatch powerful United States air and naval reinforcements to the western Pacific and alerted army and marine ground forces for possible moment on short notice apparently the alert extends through forces now based in the continental United States who would act as move up forces in the event the powerful military units stationed in Hawaii, The Philippines, and Alaska were moved closer to the crisis point in Southeast

Asia. The American action in North Vietnam meanwhile, was seen in South Vietnam as strengthening the position of South Vietnamese Premier Major General Nguyen Khanh and of saving him at least temporarily, reports a major new service from an internal political crisis some say from a coup d'etat this view emerged as usually well informed sources said that American officials together with Khanh security forces last night took effect of measures to forestall an expected coup, but no details were available. Khanh has strongly pressed for measures to be taken against North Vietnam and now his policy has come to fruition. At the same time, the grave situation with the threat of major flare ups gave the Premier of South Vietnam a chance for a radio network speech calling for national unity in the face of the crisis said the South Vietnamese Premier at this time of greatest emergency the government under my leadership will speedily take suitable measures to efficiently protect your lives and properties and lead the entire people to final victory. Premier Khanh told the Vietnamese people that

increased activities by communist North Vietnam together with recent events in the Gulf of Tonkin proved that the Vietnamese communist traitors in the north as he call them, on orders from the Chinese communists have openly committed aggression said Premier Khanh 'they also opened the way for an aggressive war in Southeast Asia with free Vietnam as their main objective'. There has been considerable concern we're told in Saigon and in other major cities and especially in the town of Hue which is located just a few miles from the border dividing North and South Vietnamese 17th parallel, because of the threat of possible attacks by air from North Vietnam. The North Vietnamese have certain powerful Air Force elements and they will have them at their command and for the purpose perhaps a bombing centers in the south at least there is concern in the population centers of South Vietnam that such an attack could take place. We are told further that the United States Air Force F-102 jet fighters supersonic, which were placed in the Saigon area where they're primarily for air defense

purposes to ward off an attack if one developed from the north. Speaking of airstrikes, the United States is taking further action the aircraft carrier task group is now being shifted from the Pacific coast of the United States to the western Pacific interceptor and fighter bomber aircraft have been moved into South Vietnam. The United States this morning rushed those 6 supersonic jets we just referred to, to Vietnam from the island of Okinawa which is a major United States staging area off the coast of communist China. They're now on a 5 minute alert at an airfield near Saigon. They're also unconfirmed reports that other United States fighters landed at another airport about 375 miles northeast of Saigon probably in the vicinity of Hue, which was the site of a number of disturbances during the time of the coup d'etat against the regime of President Diem this was a center for Buddhist protest against what at that time was a predominantly roman catholic regime and that is incidentally the major movement of military forces in the area. Again we like to

remind our listeners here in New York and around the world that there has been no definite report as yet on whether or not, the United States government or the communist Chinese have had any communications between themselves on this subject. You may recall that American forces and American diplomatic forces of particularly in the city of Warsaw, Poland have maintained and a relationship with the Chinese communist ambassador to Poland over the years. They've had numerous meetings their last meeting occurring just a few weeks ago. These meetings of always been secret, but contact has been maintained between the regime and Peking and the United States government in Washington by means of the American ambassador to Poland and communist Chinese ambassador to Poland. At the same time, it might be added that the United States' chief expert on the area of communist China is now in the role of a deputy ambassador in Saigon. The movement of U. Alexis Johnson to the role of a deputy ambassador or upon the resignation of Henry Cabot Lodge is American ambassador in the appointment of Maxwell Taylor as the chief ambassador

led many to speculate as to the meaning of U. Alexis Johnson's role in Saigon. Mr. Johnson, the ambassador, who is now acting as deputy to Maxwell Taylor, whom you may know, as the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, the highest ranking military officer in the United States, ambassador Johnson acting as the deputy to Maxwell Taylor brings to Saigon in Vietnam and to all of Southeast Asia actual contact and conference contact with Chinese communist officials, plus an expertise that made him one of the highest ranking officials. In fact, the senior ambassador in the state department in Washington Mr. Johnson, this is U. Alexis Johnson, the ambassador had numerous contacts with Chinese communist officials during the Geneva conference of 1954, at which the agreement on the division of Southeast Asia or Indo- China was made and of course, the presence in Saigon of Maxwell Taylor as the ambassador, the highest ranking US military official until his movement to the state department also makes it clear that even before the events of the last several

days the United States considered the possibilities of the situation in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam. As among the most critical on the entire agenda of the United States foreign policy and therefore moved the majority of its forces to the area diplomatically at least in order to cover any possibility that might arise for future action in this area. In Washington D.C., in the last few days a variety of meetings urgent ones with members of congress with members of the cabinet and with the national security council held by President Johnson. Those who have been watching this crisis have been making some comparisons to the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962, in a somewhat more limited degree. Perhaps, but it certainly is clear that the United States government has mobilized its diplomatic military and of course its executive forces for the purposes of trying to determine what the next step should be. All the alternatives undoubtedly have been laid before the President and he has selected from that group.

The President will arrange for a conference this afternoon we are told in Washington D.C. shortly after he reaches the executive mansion sometime around 2:00 daylight time. He will then confer on the crisis with Defense Secretary McNamara, State Secretary Rusk McGeorge Bundy, the special assistant to the President for national security matters and their aids. There has been some comment in Washington, that President Johnson has been handling this crisis in a somewhat different manner than the late President Kennedy did during the Cuban Crisis. In that, President Johnson has been relying somewhat more heavily on his cabinet officials rather than on the White House staff but of course all of this is speculation and there is extreme secrecy surrounding the actual activities of the chief executive and his advisors. In just a moment from now, both radio New York worldwide and WRVR will recreate some of the highlights of public statements made within the past 24 hours by President Johnson and Defense Secretary McNamara in which the crisis was described, however we pause now

30 seconds for a station identification. [different speaker]: You're listening to WRVR FM New York. [Host]: New York worldwide in cooperation with radio station WRVR in New York during the next 25 minutes we'll review some of the highlights of the past 24 hours including worldwide reaction to the latest crisis in Southeast Asia. First, we would like to turn back the clock approximately 24 hours or rather 12 hours to midnight last night here in the United States of America and specifically, in Washington D.C. it was shortly after 11:30 pm local time that President Johnson of the United States, spoke to the nation on radio and television. He told the people of the United States the reason for his talk, his talk had been advertised for several hours in advance but the exact time was not fixed apparently because the President and his advisors were checking out final details not only of the text of the communication of the text to foreign

embassies and two governments abroad as well as to American political and diplomatic figures. Indeed, you will note that the President referred to the fact that he had just like we reached Senator Barry Goldwater the Republican nominee for President and told them of the contents of the speech and it had Senator Goldwater support and so all of these pieces had to be put in place before the President spoke. So, let's now go back by tape recording to shortly after 11:30 pm eastern daylight time last evening for this address a brief one by President Johnson in which he first announced United States action in the case of the North Vietnamese attack. [Johnson]: My fellow Americans, as President and Commander-in-Chief it is my duty to the American people to report that renewed hostile actions against United States ships on the high seas in the Gulf of

Tonkin have today required me to order the military forces of the United States to take action in reply. The initial attack on the destroyer Maddox on August 2nd, was repeated today by a number of hostile vessels attacking 2 US destroyers with torpedoes. The destroyers and supporting aircraft acted at once on the orders I gave after the initial act of aggression. We believe at least 2 of the attacking boats were sunk. There are no US loses. The performance of commanders and crews of this engagement is in the highest tradition of the United States Navy. But, repeated act of violence against the armed forces of the United States

must be met not all over with alert defense, but with positive reply. That requires being given as I speak to you tonight. Our action is now an execution against gunboats and certain supporting facilities in North Vietnam which have been used in these hostile operations. In the larger sense this new act of aggression aimed directly at our own forces again brings home to all of us in the United States the importance of the struggle for peace and security in Southeast Asia. Aggression by Tara against the peaceful villagers of South Vietnam has

now been joined by open aggression on the high seas against the United States of America. The determination of all Americans to carry out or commitment to the people and to the government of South Vietnam will be redoubled by this outrage, yet our response for the present will be limited and fitting. We Americans know although others appear to forget the risk of spreading conflict. We still see no wider war. I have instructed the Secretary of State to make this position totally clear to friends and to adversaries and indeed to all. I've instructed Ambassador Stevenson to raise this

matter immediately and urgently before the security council of the United Nations. Finally, I have today met with the leaders of both parties in the Congress of the United States and I have informed them that I shall immediately request the Congress to pass a resolution making it clear that our government is united in its determination to take all necessary measures in support of freedom and in defense of peace in Southeast Asia. I have been given encouraging assurance by these leaders of both parties that such a resolution will be promptly introduced, freely and expeditiously debated, and passed with overwhelming

support. And just a few minutes ago, I was able to reach Senator Goldwater and I am glad to say that he has expressed his support of the statement that I'm making to you tonight. It is a solemn responsibility to have to order even limited military action by forces whose overall strength is as vast and as awesome as those of the United States of America, but it is my considered conviction shared throughout your government that firmness in the right is indispensable today for peace. That firmness will always be measured. Its mission is peace.

[Host]: Those were the words of President Lyndon Johnson of the United States delivered to the nation and the world shortly before midnight daylight time in Washington D.C. yesterday. The reaction to those words was immediate or indeed as the President pointed out while he spoke the retaliatory action was taking place. The retaliatory actions that will be described now in a hastily assembled press conference call shortly after midnight at the Pentagon by Secretary [audio pop] of Defense Robert McNamara last evening incidentally the Defense Secretary spent the night at the Pentagon the first time he did that since the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962. So now, to the first press conference held shortly after midnight last night by Defense Secretary McNamara of the United States. [McNamara]: Earlier tonight the President told the nation and the United States would take appropriate action to- to respond to the unprovoked attacks join US naval vessels by torpedo boats of North Vietnam. I can tell you that some action has

already taken place. US naval aircraft from the carriers Ticonderoga and Constellation, these carriers operating in the Gulf of Tonkin where are destroyers have undergone 2 deliberate attacks in international waters, have already conducted airstrikes against the North Vietnamese bases from [audio restored to normal] which these PT-boats have operated. Our naval aircraft have also conducted strikes against certain other target which are directly supported the operation of the PT-boats. Furthermore, in view of the unprovoked attacks, the deliberate attacks, in international waters on US Naval forces, the United States has taken the precaution pf moving substantial military reinforcements to Southeast Asia from our Pacific bases. In addition, we're also sending reinforcements to the western Pacific from bases in the United States I think you could understand it's not wise at the present time for me to identify these

forces or to list the detailed strength of these moments, but I can assure you that the moments are appropriate to the provocation. Now I'd like to review briefly in chronological order the unprovoked attacks which took place today August 4th on our vessels operating in international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin. You'll recall that the destroyer Maddox, operating in those waters on Sunday was attacked by 3 PT-boats the President instructed us to add the destroyer Tuner Joy to the patrol being carried out by the Maddox and since that time the two vessels have operated on patrol in the those waters, you'll see their course on this map. Here is the southern portion of China, the cost of North Vietnam down to the 17th parallel below which of course is South Vietnam. Finally, an island possessed by communist China because of-

of our destroyers operating 30- 40 to 60 miles off the coast of North Vietnam, the international waters, moving southward. At 7:40 pm on August 4th, 7:40 pm local time, Vietnamese time August 4th, the Maddox at about this position reported radar contact with unidentified surface vessels who were following of course per allowing the track of both the Turner Joy and the Maddox. At 8:36 pm, by which time it was about in this position, the Maddox established new radar contacts with 2 unidentified surface vessels and 3 unidentified aircraft. At this time US fighter aircraft were launched from the carrier Ticonderoga, which was also operating, the Gulf of Tonkin

these fighter aircraft were launch to rendezvous with the Maddox and the Turner Joy to prepare- provide air cover to them. At 9:08, by which time the Maddox and the Joy had advanced south to approximately this point the unidentified aircraft had disappeared from the destroyers radar screens and the surface vessels were remaining at a distance. The aircraft from the USS Ticonderoga had arrived over the destroyers and they commenced defensive patrol over them. By 9:30, the destroyers were at this point and at this time the initial attack occurred. Additional vessels had by now appeared on the Maddox radar screen and these vessels were observed to close very rapidly on the destroyers at speeds in excess of 40 knots. The attacking surface vessels continued to close rapidly from both the west and the south. At 9:52, the Maddox and the Turner

Joy had continued south to approximately this point and they reported they were under continuous torpedo attack and were engaged in defensive counter fire. At 10:15, they had advanced approximately through here. They were reporting they were avoiding torpedoes and that they have sunk one of the attacking patrol crafts. At 10:42, the destroyers reported they had abated additional torpedoes and it sunk a second of the attacking patrol craft. Other protective aircraft from the Ticonderoga had arrived overhead and had joined the defensive patrol. At 10:52, the Maddox reported the destroyers were again under attack at midnight by which time the vessels were in that position the destroyers reported that they had suffered no hits, no casualties and that the defensive aircraft from the

Ticonderoga were illuminating the area and attacking the enemy surface craft. At 12:32, at which time they were at this point the patrol reported that [pause] an additional enemy craft was believed to have been sunk and that low ceilings, poor weather was beginning to hamper the aircraft operations. At 12:54, the Turner Joy, one of the two destroyers reported that during the engagement in addition to the torpedo attacks, the destroyer had been fired upon by automatic weapons while being illuminated by search lights. At 1:30 am by which time the destroyers were in this position they reportedly attacking craft had apparently broken off the engagement the Maddox and the Turner Joy were directed to resume their normal and routine patrol operations and they are continuing them at the present time. And now I'll endeavor to answer your questions. [different speaker]: Anything else that was seen or heard from the

unidentified aircraft- [McNamara] No unidentified aircraft did not participate in the attack and, uh, at this moment, we have no further information regarding them. [different speaker]: Which direction did they disappear? [McNamara]: I can't tell you, there was no further information on them. ?inaudible? [different speaker]: Can you name that the bases in North Vietnam that were attacked? [McNamara]: No, I cannot. [different speaker]: Will you name them before the communists do? [McNamara]: Uh, remain at a time appropriate to the safety of our forces, but it would be inappropriate, to name at the present time, the- the attack is continuing at present- [Host]: Secretary McNamara as he spoke to the nation and the press in the Pentagon shortly after midnight last night in Washington D.C., he spent the night at the Pentagon no one knows doing quite what other than resting, although undoubtedly the Pentagon was a beehive of activity throughout the night for it was this morning shortly after 8 am eastern time when the Defense Secretary held his second news conference and released the results of the raids on the North Vietnamese coast here again is Defense Secretary Robert McNamara in his 2nd press conference this morning in

Washington D.C. [McNamara]: Good morning gentlemen, as you know on August 2nd and again on August 4th night North- North Vietnamese surface vessels attack US destroyers operating on a routine patrol in international waters in the Gulf of Tonkin. In retaliation for this unprovoked attack on the high seas, our forces have struck the bases used by the North Vietnamese patrol craft. During the night 64 attack sorties were launched from the US carriers Ticonderoga and Constellation against 4 North Vietnamese patrol bases and certain support facilities associated with those bases. These plates are located on that map showing the Gulf of Tonkin, South China, North Vietnam the first base is at Hung Gai, in the north of Vietnam, the 2nd at Lock Chow, the 3rd at Phuc Loi, the 4th at Quan Qai and the 5th strike

was against the ?inaudible? oil storage depot which is associated with the Phuc Low torpedo base. The oil storage depot which contains 14 tanks approximately 10 percent of the total petroleum storage capacity of North Vietnam was 90% destroyed. Smoke was observed raising to 14,000 ft. in addition, to the damage to the torpedo boat bases and to their support facilities approximately 25 of the boats were damaged or destroyed. Two of our aircraft were lost, 2 of our aircraft were damaged, all others have been recovered safely on the carriers. The destroyers Maddox and Turner Joy which had been operating on routine patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin have resumed their patrol operations in international waters. Last night I announced that moves were underway to reinforce our forces in the Pacific area these moves include the following actions: First,

An attack carrier group has been transferred from the first fleet on the Pacific coast to the western Pacific. Secondly, interceptor and fighter bomber aircraft every moved into South Vietnam. Thirdly, fighter bomber aircraft have been moved into Thailand. Fourthly, interceptor and fighter bomber squadrons have been transferred from the United States into advance bases in the Pacific. Fifthly, An added submarine task force group has been moved into the South China sea. And finally, selected army and marine forces had been alerted and readied for moment. I wanna emphasize that the damage report which I gave to you is based on preliminary reports received, uh, shortly after the completion of operations. I'll take your questions and they will be answered, yes? [different speaker] Mr. Secretary, uh, were the planes that we lost, the 2 planes, downed by ground fire? And also were there any, uh, air action from, uh, North Vietnam?

[McNamara]: The 2 planes we lost, we're downed by anti-aircraft fire. There was no enemy air reaction. ?inaudible? [McNamara]: Generally the strikes were at low level. [different speaker]: and what were ?inaudible? [McNamara]: The local times, uh, ranged from on the order of noon to, uh, 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon. [different speaker]: Can you tell us sir how long the attacks- [McNamara]: These are local Vietnamese times. [different speaker]: Can you tell us, uh, how long the entire strike lasted? [McNamra]: Uh, roughly 4-5 hours. [different speaker]: What was the weather- ?inaudible? [McNamara]: Bad. [different speaker]: Rainy? Or- [McNamara]: No ceiling- [pause] [different speaker]: What type of anti-aircraft- [McNamara]: It was heavy anti-aircraft fire over several of the targets. ?inaudible? [cough]

[McNamara]: Oh guns, rather than missiles [different speaker]: ?inaudible? [McNamara]: I can't tell you the caliber, other than that, uh, it was heavy- heavy anti-aircraft fire. [press clamoring] [different speaker]: Which of these bases ?inaudible? [McNamara]: No I can't. The question was at which points were the- the, uh, 2 aircraft lost- I can certainly say that the heaviest anti-aircraft fire was received at Hung Gai the notably of the bases attacked. [Host]: That's a portion of the second press conference of Defense Secretary McNamara conducted this morning in the Pentagon in Washington D.C. The activity now shifts in emphasis or at least it seems from this point perhaps not as the day develops the next major development we expect will be a meeting of the United Nations security council called at the request of the United States to begin a 3:00 pm New York time 2:00 pm standard time. Let's get a report on what's planned for that meeting from our correspondents at the UN, Oscar Rose.

[Rose]: These UN headquarters have again come alive crisis is once more apparent in the Carado's in the offices in the lounges where delegates, newsman, and public meet. The visitor wants to see the security council with 11 nations will meet at 3:00 pm this afternoon New York time to US Ambassador Adley Stevenson the UN reporter or photographer seek out Mr. Stevenson's news representatives other council members or 'cept cameras at any one of 50 different strategic place. At this moment the US ambassador is making last minute changes in a speech that we are told will run about 25 minutes, but which will offer no startling innovations. Merely a recapping intended to keep council members fully informed of the communist aggression and the US answer to it. At the UN that those with whom is correspondent has spoken admit the situation is serious, but no one feels that it means a new world war. In fact the meeting of Secretary General U Thant with President Johnson set for tomorrow in Washington is still on. This is Oscar

Rose for radio New York worldwide at the United Nations. [Host]: We will keep our eye on UN headquarters day and bring you late developments we're just advise that the first word is coming from communist China their official news agency made its first broadcast concerning the US, North Vietnamese engagements in the Gulf of Tonkin, today virtually without comment the official new China news agency in a broadcast monitored in Tokyo noted that North Vietnam's army high command issued a statement on what they call the provocative activities carried out by United States warships in North Vietnam's territorial waters. Aside in this introduction new China merely broadcast the text of the North Vietnamese statement which said that the gravest consequences would result. Meantime it was reported by the Writers News Agency the diplomatic observers in Peking said that President Johnson's statement and today's military action tended to in creed of a direct engagement between the United States and communist China in Southeast Asia. On this and other points radio New York worldwide and WRVR will be

talking with the former assistant Secretary of State for far eastern affairs Roger Hillsman who was also the intelligence chief of the state department at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, we'll be broadcasting that telephone interview later in the day and will advise you of a time we will ask Mr. Hillsman about the situation as he sees it in Southeast Asia and what the possible repercussions or consequences could be of the possible escalation of the crisis. This special report on the crisis of Vietnam, presented as a recorded and live feature of WRVR and radio New York worldwide. [different speaker]: News live every hour! [Host]: You're listening to WRVR FM New York by courtesy of radio New York worldwide WRUL President Johnson of Syracuse University [pause] and some background on the world situation this afternoon at 3:00 pm WRVR will take you to the UN for a live broadcast of the UN security council meeting until

that time just music continues