29 
Senator Sparkman. The committee will stand in recess for 10 min- 
utes while we go to vote. 
(Whereupon, there was a short recess. ) 
Senator SparKMAN. Let us resume the hearing, please. Senator Pell, 
you may continue with your questioning. 
Senator Pru. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL SEA GUARD 
This question on the international sea guard is one that has always 
interested me. In fact, I would like to ask the chairman’s permission 
to insert in the record at this point a memorandum I wrote on this 
subject in 1944, the point of which I think is equally applicable today. 
Senator SpaRKMAN. Is that a high school theme? 
Senator Periz. No; no. Ten years later. 
Senator Sparkman. Without objection, it will be inserted. 
(The memorandum referred to follows :) 
Subject: International Peace Enforcement and the Future of the 
Guard. 
1. It is clear that the majority of persons in the Allied camp desire that out 
of this war will be borne an organization effective in enforcing world peace. it 
is equally clear that public opinion, informed as well as uninicrmed, supports 
the view that such an organization must be founded on force, unchallengable 
might to compe! ali men and nations to settle disputes by peaceful methods. 
Public opinion leaves it to the “experts” to decide what kind of an organization 
ean best attain this objective. 
2. Again it is clear that the “experts” disagree with each other on methods. 
Considerations as to the composition of an “international police force”, for in- 
stance, raise serious questions: How can any strong nation’s Army and Navy be 
acceptable for such work when the very spirit of an Army and Navy is founded 
on intense naticnalism? On the other hand, how can any security minded nation 
be persuaded to eradicate this spirit of nationalism in its armed forces in order 
to qualify them for international police work? 
38. This sketchy memorandum does not attempt to indicate solution to these 
and the other immense issues. It does intend, however, to point up and indicate 
for further study the fact that the U.S. Coast Guard has unusually appropriate 
qualifications which fit it for an important post-war international role. 
4. Regardless of the type, kind, and composition of an international peace 
agency, maritime policing will be one of its necessary functions. An international 
maritime police force will be required to enforce the parent organization’s 
policies regarding international navigation practices, air-sea rescue, safety 
regulations, fisheries regulations, tariff and contraband regulations, aids to 
navigation regulations systems and devices, port security and operation, ice and 
weather patrols, ete. 
5. These and many other duties and responsibilities of an international 
maritime police force are only semi-military in character. They are of a 
eonstructive, humanitarian character not identified with a nationalistic military 
outlook. They should be assumed by an organization whose primary function 
is construetive, not destructive, whose job is primarily peace, not war, whose 
reputation is for benevolence, not belligerence. 
6. The U.S. Coast Guard is the outstanding organization in the world tcday 
that meets these requirements. Its past includes experience, on a small scale 
at least, in all the fields of maritime control mentioned above. It is the logical 
choice for this vital task and should be nominated for it. At the same time 
work should be gotten underway to equip those who wouid present this 
proposal on behalf of the United States with the details of the Coast Guard’s 
past and present experience and the Coast Guard’s own ideas of methods and 
administrative policies. Collaboration between Coast Guard and State Depart- 
ment personnel and other officials chosen to represent the United States at 
international peace conferences would be necessary, but first the Coast Guard’s 
qualifications and availability for this task must be brought to the attention 
of and be accepted by the highest offices. 
87—490— 67 5 
