Evening star., 1947-07-13

I think, to be just nonsense
Mr.. Bidault asserted that the aim
of the conference Was simply tl
establish an organization which car
tally the balance sheet OF Europe
resources and needs and warned
this must be done quickly since
many nations-France is one OF
them-were nearing the end OF
their assets.
He stressed that the nations must
voluntarily organize their efforts
to reduce the necessary American
aid TO a minimum.
Referring to assertions from East
ern nations that Germany might
benefit from the reconstruction, Mr.
Bidault said:
"It has been alleged that the
unavowed aim of our meeting is to
rebuild Germany first. The re-
sources of Germany ought to be
utilized for Europe, Germany in
cluded. I want to emphasize in
the name of the French delegation
that any other Interpretation is
improper
% Nations Invited.
British French invitations went
to % nations after Russia refused
to join in sponsoring the parley
Those present at the first session
today were: Austria. Belgium, the
Netherlands, Luxembourg, Fire. Ice
land, Norway, Sweden, Denmark
Switzerland, italy, Portugal, Greece
Turkey and the sponsoring powers
Czechslovakia accepted but re.
versed that decision later on re.
ceipt of telephone call from Czech
Premier Klement Gottwald in Mos
COW, where he had gone after his
government accepted the bid. 9th
ers refusing to come to the con-
ference were: Poland, Yugoslavia
Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Al
bania and Finland.
Franco Spain was not invited.
Herve Alphand, the French rep
resentative, proposed expansion OF
the international co-operation-ol
steering-committee at the meeting
of the conference working commit
tee, the first real business session
of the conference.
Mr.. Alphand made his propose,
after some small nations, notably
Belgium, Turkey and Denmark, had
objected to the Anglo-French pro-
posal giving supervisory power tc
steering committee of only five
or six members.
Under terms of Mr.. Alphand's
compromise. the steering committee
would be topped by permanent ex-
ecutive committee of few men,
bers, the exact number not yet
fixed.
Four-Year Period Questioned.
Mr.. Alphand was named to draft
details of his compromise proposal
for presentation to the second
working committee meeting tomor-
row noon. The working commit
tees first report to the full con-
ference is to be presented at the
second plenary session tomorrow
afternoon.
The working committee today also
decided to expand membership in
the four technical subcommittee
which would deal with fuel, power
metal industries, transport and food
but the exact membership was left
for future determination. 1t also
was agreed to authorize new sub
committees for new fields If neces-
sary and to allow changes in each
groups scope for borderline cases.
All these points are to be fully
stated in Mr.. Alphand's compromise
proposal to be ready tomorrow.
Some working committee member.
questioned the wisdom of establish.
ing a rehabilitation program to las
four years as the French and Bri
tish have suggested, saying that {
rigid time table might have dis
advantages. The British and French
members. however. pointed out tina
four years was the period men
toned by Secretary of State Mar
shall in his address at Harvard Uni
versity.
September l was fixed as the tar.
get date for a complete report or
the development of essential pro-
duction. on indispensable European
trade and on deficit needs which tn,
United States would be asked to fill