McGovern Attacks U.S. Militarism, Calls for Freeze

Presidential candidate George S. McGovern yesterday reiterated his commitment to establishing a unilateral moratorium on nuclear weapons, and called for an immediate halt to all U.S. military operations in Central America.

America must "return from [its] wandering in the wilderness of militarism abroad and injustice at home." McGovern told a capacity crowd of more than 400 people at Boston's Arlington St. Church.

The largest applause during the 20-minute speech came in response to the former South Dakota Senator's call for a mutual reduction in both nuclear and conventional weapons.

McGovern accused President Reagan of being "tragically ill-informed" about Soviet-American attitudes. He acknowledged that Reagan is well-intentioned, but charged that the President's hardline policies--particularly in the area of nuclear weapons--have brought the United States to the point of potential annihilation.

"The Soviets have the same desire to live as we do," McGovern said. "Russian mothers and fathers weep for their children and are not inhuman monsters."