No. 548
Statement by the President1

At this moment in history when multitudes of Russians are anxiously concerned because of the illness of the Soviet ruler2 the thoughts of America go out to all the people of the U.S.S.R.—the men and women, the boys and girls—in the villages, cities, farms and factories of their homeland.

They are the children of the same God who is the Father of all peoples everywhere. And like all peoples, Russia’s millions share our longing for a friendly and peaceful world.

Regardless of the identity of government personalities, the prayer of us Americans continues to be that the Almighty will watch over the people of that vast country and bring them, in His wisdom, opportunity to live their lives in a world where all men and women and children dwell in peace and comradeship.

  1. Source: Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953, p. 75. This statement was issued to the press by Press Secretary Hagerty on Mar. 4. President Eisenhower commented in a general way upon Stalin’s illness and the preparation of this statement during his news conference of Mar. 5; see ibid., pp. 76 ff. Regarding the preparation of this statement, see Document 550.
  2. Regarding the announcement concerning the illness of Stalin, see telegram 1245, Mar. 4, supra.