General of the Army, Douglas MacArthur, in uniform, salutes as a band plays the U.S. National Anthem. He is standing before a battery of microphones, on the steps of the State Legislature in Jackson, Mississippi, next to U.S. Senator, James O. Easland. Scene shifts forward to Senator Eastland delivering a speech of introduction for MacArthur (who had been relieved of his commands, 11 months earlier, by President Harry S. Truman). MacArthur places his notes on the podium and the crowd gives him sustained applause. MacArthur begins by thanking Eastland for the introduction, and addresses the members of the State legislature and citizens of Mississippi. He praises the traditions and contributions of the South to the Country. Film stops momentarily and picks up again as MacArthur says America stands at a crossroads, where one path follows to the principals and ideals upon which rested our country's past grandeur. He says on the other lies the arbitrary rule of men leading to the ultimate loss of constitutional liberty. View of crowd applauding. MacArthur criticizes weakness and vacillation as undermining America's moral leadership of the world. He criticizes U.S. Government domestic spending and reckless dissipation of America's national assets. Intermittent views of crowd receptive to his remarks. He remarks about U.S. Government "propaganda," and quotes Benjamin Franklin, saying "A half truth is often a great lie."
General of Army, Douglas MacArthur, speaking on the steps of the Mississippi State Legislature, addresses a joint assembly of the Mississippi State Legislature, and citizens, in Jackson, Mississippi. MacArthur emphasizes that charity begins at home. He questions the merits of America spending billions to fight communism abroad. Further, he questions the commitment of European nations to fight against communism. He notes that the U.S.A. had spiritual leadership of the world, backed by the greatest military power in history, at the end of World War 2. But he claims the U.S. dissipated that power, by betraying Nationalist China; and permitting the Soviet Union to expand into Eastern European countries; while American disarmed and demobilized.
In a outdoor speech before a joint assembly of the Mississippi State Legislature, Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army, talks about freedom, American tradition, and leadership. His remarks are critical of the current U.S. Administration and its failure of spirit, not of military resources, to tackle communism in Korea. He calls it a bankruptcy of leadership in our American tradition, and a glaring failure in Korea. He completes his speech, referring to God, and the religious faith upon which the country was erected. The General is applauded and thanked formally. The Legislators then act to dissolve the joint assembly.
Large crowd gathers at Hawkins Field, Municipal airport in Jackson, Mississippi, to greet arriving General of the Army, Douglas McArthur. Preceded by his wife, Jean MacArthur, and their son, Arthur MacArthur,IV, General MacArthur descends stairs from the airplane. The General salutes a U.S. flag, and is escorted by an ROTC cadet in uniform. He talks to soldiers in uniform, present in his honor. Large crowd gathers on and around the steps of the Mississippi State Legislature Building, where a large sign reads: "Liberty." Red White and Blue Bunting decorates the building. A light rain falls. Some spectators sit under a large plastic sheet.
The May Day celebrations and march-past through the streets in Poland. A political leader takes the salute of the marching people. Sound track fragmented and combines other stories.
International Labour Day (May Day) parade at the Red Square of Moscow, USSR. march past of civilians who salute to their leaders. A small girl from a troop of marching school girls, the Pioneers, presents General Stalin a bouquet. Political as well as military leaders are on the stage watching the parade. Marching troops carry posters of Lenin, Stalin and other Soviet leaders. Citizens cheering.