Evening star., 1946-01-18

corrective ana SANITARY QudllIy
about ridicule that should not be
minimized. Accordingly, it seems
worth while calling attention to
what appears to be the prize piece
of unconscious international hu-
NOR since we assumed the role OF
world leadership.
Last Saturday it was announced
from Washington that we had
granted the Greek government a
s25 100000 credit. But there were
conditions" lucidly explained in a
note to Greece from our State De-
partment.
We Tell Her.
The first requirement, the note
said, Is that Greece must quickly
put its house in order" Then, with
impressive solemnity, we go on to
declare that "the Government of
the United States is aware that
Greece's burden is heavy one, but
is convinced that the assistance ex-
tended can accomplish little toward
economic recovery unless the Greek
government itself undertakes vigor-
Gus measures to control imitation, to
stabilize the currency, to reduce
government expenditures, to aug
ment revenues, to increase efficiency
and revive industry and trade" On
the speed and competency with
which these things are done, the
note concludes, depends the ex-
tent of further American aid"
Now, is not that something! We
are telling her. Upon reflection that
is not quite as funny as at first 1t
seemed. Armed with the great pow
er of our purse, we order our small
and impotent creditor to put into
effect-and quickly-economy, ef-
ficiency, sound finance, real nation
al discipline and wisdom. Nor do
we smile when we promulgate the
order, either.
Snug Sermon.
Certainly this is one of the snug
gest, most elf-ighteous, oily and
unctuous pronouncements which
one nation ever made to another.
Probably these instructions were
necessary. Probably we ought not
to assist any nation that does not
put its house in order" But the
tone of Pecksniff1an piety is not nee
essary; nor the air Of sanctity that
marked its delivery and publication.
Nor the publicity.
The only excuse for this economic
sermon Is that we should be prac-
ticing the virtues we preach, be able
honestly to pose as an example.
Certainly some way to take off the
curse Of hypocrisy should have
been found-even in a completely
humorless State Department.
For, do we practice these virtues?
Are we in a position to ask any
nation, creditor or otherwise, to
take us as a model? Well, look at
us! Here we are-undoubtedly the
most incompetently governed, con-
fused, wasteful, eXtravagant and
disorderly nation in the world; with
a budget that has not been even
approximately in balance for IS
years; with our Federal finances
out of control; with no force be-
lllllu Jul 1Cbl lCllClllllCllU Udlh, WILL
industry and the unions engaged
IN a bitter struggle that threatens
economic chaos and adversely af-
fects all our citizens; with hun
dreds of thousands of men out on
strike; with a near mutiny in our
military forces abroad over the
speed of deployment; with the ex-
ecutive and legislative branches of
the Government in sharp conflict;
with production paralyzed and the
danger of a ruinous imitation grow
ing every day; with no strong, firm
adequate policy about anything
anywhere.
Might Answer Back.
Yet, in face of these undeniable
facts we publicly tell other nations
to discipline themselves, practice
thrift, increase taxes, cut down ex-
penses. 1t is a colossal piece of ef-
frontery. If we have to tell our debt
ors these things for the safety of
our investments-and perhaps we
have-we at least might have the
grace to tell them privately. To
proclaim them publicly at press
conferences means thot WIG ora dae