“These things happen, and I will not pillory our allies… is that clear? This was an enemy mine… it killed our boys… that’s all our people need to know. Anything else, we keep in house. Is that absolutely clear, gentlemen?”
The responses reassured Truman and he relaxed.
“Ok then. How are the people taking it, John?”
Steelman couldn’t wrap it up in any way, and simply passed over the first edition of the Washington Evening Star, accompanying it with one word.
“Bad.”
Actually, it was much worse than bad.
The editorial was pretty good, Truman had to admit, but it was also damaging to him and his administration, laying out the awful loss sustained by the ‘Screaming Eagles’, and asking for what had they died, undermining much of Truman’s intended speech in a few lines of well-thought out print.
The setting out of the arguments for use of the bomb were well-known and well made, and Truman knew he would have a hard time rebutting the points, as he tackled the maintenance of the Allied Alliance head on, citing the cost in American lives of propping up the ailing group, with figures, awful figures, that showed how much blood America had spilt in the doing.
“We’ve the heads up, as a courtesy only, from the nationals… they’re running the same editorial themes nationwide.”
The Chief of Staff sat down heavily, his day having been spent in exhausting damage limitation…
‘…failed damage limitation…’
Truman waited whilst the others in the Oval Office consumed the story and the editorial.
The final face looked up and he continued.
“Well, one thing’s for sure. Our lives got a little more complicated. George, do everything you can for those poor boys… living and dead… I want them all brought home straight away… straight away, y’hear me.”
Marshall nodded, knowing it would be a simple enough matter.
Dead men were easier to transport than the living.
“Now, gentlemen, what can we do to fix this mess?”
At 7pm Eastern Standard time, President Truman spoke primarily to the nation, although his words were broadcast around the globe, words addressing the wider issues of the conflict, words intent on specifically addressing the non-use of the bomb.
He also spoke intimately about the losses the country had sustained, with particular reference to the tragic events surrounding the 101st’s recent history.
Truman spoke for thirteen minutes, bringing spirit and passion to the cause he held so dear.
Having laid out the facts as he saw them, he appealed to the heads and hearts of the people, seeking support and understanding for the position of his administration.
His entourage followed his delivery word for word, the text agreed by all lifted from the pages of script to roll off Truman’s tongue, delivered in the President’s inimitable style.
The speech in general, and bombshell at the end in particular, had already been discussed with Churchill, De Gaulle, and even Speer. The Allied leaders understood and were, in general, in agreement,
But then the entourage started to shuffle their papers, seeking the missing page, as words hit their ears that did not come from the speech… simple words that came from Truman’s heart.
“For nearly five years now, the free world has looked to us, seeking inspiration and guidance from the leadership we bring, and the sacrifices we are prepared to make in the name of our country’s values… make in the name of maintaining freedom for all.”
“This leadership is best delivered by a country and people united behind its common conviction, a belief in the righteousness of the cause to which it is committed.”
“I appeal to you, my countrymen, to further journey with me… to produce the materials of war… to send them across the oceans… to support our troops in the prosecution of this war… a war not of our making.”
“We cannot do this shackled by doubt, be it doubt about the sacrifices this nation and our young men are making, or doubt about how best to bring an end to this conflict, an end that best serves the needs of the world.”
“Yes, we have the technology… the aircraft, the tanks, the ships… and yes… we have the bomb… and we have all seen its terrible effects. Some Americans oppose its further use, others encourage its profligate use… both views have merit… and both have their issues.”
“The world has been horrified by the images and reports that have sprung from the hands and lips of survivors.”
“The bombs are the ultimate weapon of war, but they are horrible weapons and, quite rightly, we should think long and hard before using them again. Perhaps… it may be… that this display on Japan might ensure they are never needed again.”
Truman paused and gathered himself.
“As your President, I ask this of you. Understand that I will not shirk from their use, and would not hesitate to order such a use right at this moment, should it be prudent to do so… but… at this time… it is not.”
“There are wider issues here, for we must convince the free world, and carry them with us before further employment. We cannot just expect the people of this planet to fall in line with our way of thinking. To do that would be arrogant at the very least.”
“Our Allies baulk at further deployment of these weapons and we must, and will, listen to their concerns… and assuage them as best we can… and not deploy them until we can carry the world with us, in wholehearted agreement that their use is just and proper.”
He eased his collar with a swipe of his finger.
“That is the assurance I have given to the leaders of the Allied nations, and one I reiterate here… now… in front of you all.”
“There is a weighty proposition that our refusal to use these weapons might be misunderstood, and might give comfort to our enemies. This is an argument I have heard, and can understand… but one I also disagree with.”
“Our enemies have seen that we have the will, and will not shirk from their use, should the circumstances be right.”
“On 16th April last year, I stood before Congress and made the following statement.”
Truman produced a small piece of paper that contained a verbatim of the passage he wished to remind his people of.
“And I quote… It is not enough to yearn for peace. We must work, and if necessary, fight for it. The task of creating a sound international organization is complicated and difficult. Yet, without such organization, the rights of man on earth cannot be protected. Machinery for the just settlement of international differences must be found. Without such machinery, the entire world will have to remain an armed camp. The world will be doomed to deadly conflict, devoid of hope for real peace.”
“My fellow Americans, that is the crux of it all. We must… and we will… defeat the Communists… wherever we find them, and we, as a nation, and I, as your president, am as committed as ever to that end. But we must maintain the Alliance, and create a stronger organisation. By using the bomb unilaterally, without the agreement of our Allies, we risk sundering the very base of the organisation that we need to construct to ensure that peace will flourish for our children, and all the children that come after.”
“Constant vigilance will be the price that we, as a world, will pay for our future liberty and freedoms.”
‘Here it comes…’
“To that end, today, I announce that we will formalise and strengthen our international Alliance under a new title… the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation… a grouping that will bring the nations fighting in this conflict together, unified under the umbrella of an organisation conceived by free peoples, for the purpose of maintaining freedom for all.”