Evening star., 1947-09-22
.EuropeP Pledges
Se|f-He|p Plan ,
Asks Billion
16 Nations Submit
Their Needs Under
Marshall Program
(Tert on Page A-14.)
BY the Associated Press


rope pledged itself to a program
OF self-help today and asked the
United States to send it SIG, $780,
100000 under a four-year Mar
shall plan as a means of averting
economic "catastrophe."
This program, the participating
Is nations declared, could enable
Europe ito make her full contribu-
ton to the welfare of the world"
The request was made in 20
O0o-Word document which will be
dispatched to Washington after its
signing here today by representa-
tives of the 16 nations which mapped
their economic wants in Russian
boycotted conferences held here for
10 days.
Only a 1,5OO-word summary was
made public today. The text is
scheduled for publication next
week end.
cine summary was made public
simultaneously here by the State
Department. There was no COM
ment on it,
Catastrophe Possible.
"The American people, through
their Government and their Con-
gress, will consider this program and
determine whether the means can be
found of supplying Europe's needs"
the summary said. IF nothing is
done, a catastrophe will develop as
stocks become exhausted
The report outlined a four-point
self-help program aimed at putting
Europe on its feet by the end of
1851"
l. A strong production effort by
each country.
2. The creation of internal fiiian-
cial stability.
3. Maximum cooperation among
the is countries.
4. A solution of their trading def
icit with the American continent,
particularly by exports.
AS part of the production effort
the conference envisaged:
l. Grain production on a prewar
basis, with increases above the pre-
war standard in potatoes, sugar,
oils and fats.
2. Coal production above the 1888
level and one-third higher than
1947 tonnage. sss,
8. Electrical generating at l16 per
cent, oil refining at $50 per cent
and steel at 100 per cent in terms
of 1888 production.
4. Inland transport facilities to
carry one-fourth more than in 1898.
5. Restoration of prewar merchant
fleets by 1851.
Able to Produce Machinery.
The 16 nations expressed belief
Europe could produce most Of the
and other capital equip
ment needed for the expansion pro-
gram outlined, and added:
THE various countries have un-
dertaken to use all their efforts to
develop their national production
in order to achieve these targets"
The report estimated that $3,0O0,-
000, 600 would be needed in efforts
to stabilize the money of certain
left unnamed.
THE quick success Of stabiliza-
ton will, to very large extent,
depend on adequate foreign assist
ance being available" the confer
ence said.
The report set at $22, 400, ,000, 900
Western Europe's prospective dollar
deficit for 1948-51. From this it sub
tracted $3,110,O00, 900 for machinery
and capital equipment needs which,
the report assumed" would be
financed by the international Bank
for Reconstruction and Develop
ment,
Trade Surplus Seen.
Given favorable conditions" the
report said, Western Europe would
have a four-year trade surplus Of
$2,810,0O0,0O0 outside the Western
Hemisphere. 1t was made plain,
however, that this figure was ten
tative and that the real need was
considered to be SIS, 1896, ,000, 900 from
America pius the international
bank loan for capital equipment.
Robert Margolin, chairman of the
conference Co-ordinating Commit
tee, said any surplus accruing for
trade outside the Western Hemi-
sphere could be used either to re-
duce demands on the United States
or to help troubled countries build
up their stocks of gold free currency
as a cushion against the end of
the American aid program.
A British Royal Air Force plane
waited to take the report to Wash
lngton to be put before Secretary of
State Marshall. Gen. Marshall in
vited Europe to draw up blueprint
for its own, recovery with American
aid in a Harvard University COM
mencement speech last June S.
Delegates to the conference
showed uncertainty over what might
happen to their report. They ad-
nitted they realized that the last
word rested with Congress and that
Congress, to meet in January, might