My friends, we are confronted with a serious situation. But it is
typical of the security problems of the world today. Powerful and
aggressive forces are constantly probing, now here, now there, to see
whether the free world is weakening. In the face of this there are no
easy choices available. It is misleading for anyone to imply that
there are.

However, the present situation, though serious, is by no means
desperate or hopeless.

There is not going to be any appeasement.

I believe that there is not going to be any war.

But there must be sober realization by the American people that our
legitimate purposes are again being tested by those who threaten peace
and freedom everywhere.

This has not been the first test for us and for the free world.
Probably it will not be the last. But as we meet each test with
courage and unity, we contribute to the safety and the honor of our
beloved land--and to the cause of a just and lasting peace.




4. President Eisenhower's Letter to Premier Khrushchev,

September 13, 1958