Evening star., 1947-07-03
By John M. Hiehtower
Assoeioted Press Dipiomotie Reporter

Four nations-Poland, France,
Italy and Czechoslovakia-ap-
pear destined today to get
caught in the middle of the ex-
pected conflict between Russia
and the western powers over the
economic organization of Europe
under Secretary of State Mar
shalPs plan. (
The breakdown of the Paris Con-
ference yesterday and Soviet For
eign Minister Molotov's assertion
that the Marshall proposal means
the division of Europe left little
doubt among diplomatic authorities
here that such a conflict would de-
velop.
They said it would have repercus-
sions in every part of the continent,
but that the squeeze almost certainly
would be most intense in four coun-
tries for these reasons:
Poland-The Polish government
already has notified the State De-
partment of its adherence to the
Marshall plan. Yet Poland Is in the
Soviet's sphere of influence, and
Russian troops operate there in
support of their occupation forces In
Germany.
Poland is in great need of Amer
lean help and is especially eager to
get direct relief at once. She. faces
a grain deficit of 100000 tons by
October. If Mr.. Molotoy's Paris
statement is taken at face value, the
Soviet government is expected to
turn thumbs down on Polish eco-
nomic cooperation with the West,
despite the economic interests of the
Polish people. .... j..
Francois one of the co-sponsors
with Britain of the European effort
to develop joint economic pro-
gram, France is key point In the
organization of Western sEuropes 1t
is also the home of a powerful COM
munist Party. Thus If the party, as
expected, follows the Moscow line
and opposes the Marshall plan, the
French government probably will
find itself faced with an extremely
difficult internal political situation.
Czechoslovakia-The Czechs have
not gone as far as the Poles in an
nouncing cooperation with the
Marshall plan. But they have ex-
pressed deep interest here and in
Prague, and indications are they
would prefer to cooperate.
Like Poland, Czechoslovakia Is in
the Soviet sphere, but without Soviet
troops. Russian opposition to line
of action which the Czechs believe
to be in their own economic interests
could cause great trouble in that
country.
Italy-The Italian government,
like the French, was reorganized last
spring without Communist partici-
patton. But the Communist Party
is strong and in a position to bring
powerful opposition against any gov
ernment policy it disapproyes. II
Moscow 50 orders, 1t might try to
make Italian participation in Or
ganized European recovery relative
iy ineffective.
U. S. Officials Disappointed.
American officials expressed them
selves as more disappointed than
surprised at Mr.. Molotov's refusal
to cooperate with Foreign Min
ister Bidault and Foreign Secretary
Bevin behind a program of recon-
struction with American assistance.
Some had hoped for at least linn
tied Soviet participation or, failing
that, a Soviet attitude which would
not seek to preclude cooperation by
such countries as Poland. The basic
theory of officials in this connec-
ton was that the more comprehen-
sive a recovery program could be
made the greater would be the re-
sources on which it could draw and
the more probable its chances for
success.
There is no doubt here, however,
that the United States Government
is prepared to make good-to the
best Of its ability-on Gen. Mar
shall's promise at Harvard Uni
veEsity June S that If the European
nations would produce a joint pro-