Evening star., 1946-03-15
Delegates See NoHope
OF Russian Entry Now
Into World Bank 5efup
BY The Assoeiotsd Press

SAVANNAH, Ca, Mar. 15.-
American delegates to the Inter-
national Monetary Conference
generally see small likelihood Of
an early entry by Russia into
the World Bank and Fund.
Some hold that Russia, hard UP
for funds for reconstruction, might
require assurance of loans totaling
$4,000, ,000,0 900 or more before she
would think it worth while to put
up her $1,000, 900, 900 subscription
for the bank.
Secretary Of the Treasury vinson
chief American delegate, is reported
to be more optimistic over Soviet
cooperation, but others believe
Moscow will wait until the tense
international situation clears up be-
fore investing. in the international
institution.
Will Wait Until Deadline.
At best they believe Russia is
not likely to join until shortly before
expiration of the December 81 dead
line by which signers of the Bret
ton Woods agreements must apply
in order to keep their standing as
original members.
AS for the international none
tary fund, Russia has small need
of it. The funds intend to stabilize
currencies of the world and thus
remove one risk and deterrent to
world trade. The ruble is stable
under Russias controlled economy
and Russia's normal exports-as
one official noted-are smaller than
those of General Motors.
Neither is Russia of vital concern
to the fund, except to boost its pres
tige, because the world buys little
from Russia. And, in any case, Rus
sia is believed likely to wait and
watch this years scheduled inter-
national trade conferences-a pre-
lininary one this summer and a
full-dress meeting in the fall-be-
fore making up her mind.
Lewis Douglas Favored.
After Russia as a topic of specula-
ton at conference headquarters
came the choice of president for
the International Bank and man.
aging director for the fund. The
lobby odds seemed to be on:
For the fund-Camille Quit, for
mer Belgian Minister of Finance
and Ambassador at Large; some
delegates reported that Graham F..
Towers, governor of the Bank of
Canada, had refused to offer him.
self asa Candidate.
For the bank-Lewis Douglas, in
surance company president and for
mer budget director; he was promi-
emily mentioned yesterday and his
choice was described by one delegate
today as fairly definite"
The conference saw signs today of
more conciliatory attitude on the
part of the American delegation to-
ward the two-score guest countries.
There was tentative concession to
Britain's view that bank and fund
directors be part-time employees.
Irritated by U. S. Stand.
Delegates from several nations
have complained privately that the
American group has tended to be
dominating and dollar as
we'll as unduly insistent on having its
way on such issues as the Washing
ton site for the bank and fund.
Among the irritants, they indi-
Gated, were Chairman Wilson's
stand aginst the holding of news
conferences by chairmen of the
conference committees and his in
sistence that the Steering Commit
tee" headed by him would be per-
manent, although several foreign
and some United States delegates
had not understood this when the
vote was taken.
Last night, however, British and
American delegates reached tenta-
tive agreement on this of full-time
or part-time directorships. The
American group, which previously
had supported full-time positions,
brought in resolution which
would permit the directors to hold
other jobs as well.
This requires final approval but
it seems assured. The British hao
argued that directors should not be
required to give up present positions
and spend full time in Washington
where they might loose touch with
home events, and be influenced by
the Washington atmosphere.
The Boards of Governors of the
fund and bank, in joint session yes
terday approved the selection of
Washington as a permanent site
a battle that was fought out We'd
nesday with Britain, France, Canada
and India on the losing side.