Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-03-13
Italy Asks Admission
To World Bank Group;
u. 5. 10 Support Entry

SAVANNAH. Ga, Mar. 13.-Italy
has asked admission to the world
bank and monetary fund, it was
learned today, and the United
States plans to support her bid for
early entry.
Secretary of the Treasury Vinson
chairman Of the Boards of Cover
nors of the International Monetary
conference on Wilmington Island,
informed the Membership Commit
tee OF the Italian request yesterday,
an American delegate revealed.
Secretary Vinson, however, did
not make clear whether the appli-
cation was formal or informal
one, this delegate said. No peace
treaty has been signed with Italy.
Mr.. Vinson himself declined to
discuss the matter, referring ques-
TONERS to members of the State
Department group attending the 35-
nation monetary conference here.
U. S. Majority Favors Move.
A majority of the United States
group favors opening the doors to
Italy, the other delegate told a re-
porter, on the theory that her eco
nomlc plight is so grave that her
rehabilitation is worldwide re-
sponsibility.
Opponents of this view hold that
the Self-same economic distress
makes it unlikely the Italians could
meet their responsibilities is,
repay their borrowing from the So
100,00O,00O bank and $500, 900 900
monetary fund-and should for the
present remain relief recipient.
In the background is the obvious
consideration that if Italy's eco
nomic future is shaky, this country
would like other nations to share
the liability for any of her defaults.
This arose as a new source of de-
bate, even as the contest over q
permanent site for the twin eco
nomic agencies grew into three
ring, instead of two-ring, contest.
Chicago joined the group of can
didate cities, along with New York
and Washington.
Chicago Bids for Site.
The Chicago Association of Com
merce backed up its bid with an
offer to come and talk about specific
sites and buildings. A Midwest
location, the association said in a
telegram to Mr.. Vinson, would "con-
tribute to American understanding
of its operations and add to it's ine
ternational strength and prestige"
The Latin American bloc received
a setback, meanwhile, in Yesterdays
prompt fixing of fund and bank
quotas for Denmark, thus clearing
the way for early admission of Den
mark as a voting member.
With Denmark admitted, Latin
prospects of electing two
members to the executive directorate
Of the world bank were dimmed, for
Denmark's proposed quota will give
ner votes outranking even Mexico,
the second Latin America state in
voting strength. Brazil rates above
both.
Closed Sessions Voted.
The question of whether the press
would be admitted to executive ses-
sions of the Board of Governors of
the fund and bank was raised with
Mr.. Vinson yesterday.
He argued that the sessions
should be private, inasmuch as the
generally under discussion
would be banking business"
Newsmen covering the conference
commended that since the full meet
ings of the Board of Governors
would be similar in one sense to a
stockholders meeting, as against
the private meetings of the Execu-
tive Board, the sessions should be
public
Mr.. Vinson raised the matter with
the governors, but told reporters
later at a press conference that
it had been decided all sessions
would be closed until it was voted
He said public sessions
would be the exception rather than
the rule.