Evening star., 1947-10-25


session of Congress to deal with
need in Europe.
and the high cost of living. Ade-
Quate measures-enacted In time
are necessary to correct the present
situation.
Let me turn now to the other rea-
son for calling the Congress into
session. This Is the problem Of
hunger and cold and human suffer-
ing abroad. It is the problem Of
men and women and children who
look to us for help at this critical
time.
We are following a definite and
clear foreign policy. That policy
has been, Is now, and shall be to
assist free men and free nations to
recover from the devastation Of war,
to stand on their own feet, to help
one another, and to contribute their
full share to a stable and lasting
peace. We follow that policy for the
purpose of securing the peace and
being of the world. 1t is sheer
nonsense to say that We seek domi-
nance over any other nation. We be-
lieve in freedom. and We are doing
all we can to support free men and
free governments throughout the
world.
In furtherance Of this foreign
policy, we now have under considera-
ton the part which the United
States should play in aiding long
range recovery program for West
ern Europe. This plan presents
great hope for economic security
and peace in that vital part OF the
world. 1t will take some time to
complete the consideration OF this
plan and to make all the important
decisions required for putting 1t into
effect.
Crisis Period at Hand.
p However, a period of crisis is now
at hand. The perils Of hunger and
cold in Europe make this winter a
decisive time in history. All the
progress of reconstruction and all
the promise of future plans are en-
dangered. If European nations are
to continue their recovery, they must
get through this winter without be-
ing crippled by economic paralysis
and resulting chaos.
In our long range European recov-
cry plan, we must help some nations
through this immediate crisis. The
most imminent danger exists In
France and in Italy. If the econo-
mics of these countries collapse and
the people succumb to totalitarian
pressures, there will be no opportu-
nifty for them or for us 70 look for
ward to their recovery so essential
to world peace. =,
Their first need is food. Exceed
ingly bad weather this year has
caused the worst crops in Western
Europe in a generation. Crop fail
ures in France-the worst In 100
years-and in italy make 1t neces-
sary for those countries to import
nalf the grain they need to live on
during the coming months.
The other major shortage is fuel.
Fuel supplies were depleted by last
years severe winter. War damage
to railroads, and the reduced efi-
cheney Of miners laboring on an In
adequate diet, have prevented the
rebuilding Of fuel stocks.
The financial reserves of France
and Italy have been nearly ex-
hausted by the cost of their imports
since the end Of the war. Rising
prices in the United States and In
other countries where they must buy
have further reduced the purchasing
power of their remaining funds.
They now face the coming winter
without sufficient resources to pay
for essential food and fuel.
Figures Tell Story.
The figures tell the story.
France can meet her minimum
needs, with present funds, until the
end of December, but she will enter
the new year without funds to pay
for essential imports. The French
will need 357 million dollars to carry
them until March 81, 1s4s.
- Italy will not be able even to get
through the rest of this year. Italy
must have 142 million dollars to
carry her until December 81 and an
additional sum of 143 million to get
through the first quarter of 1948.
Serious dificulties have also been
encountered in the occupied areas
Germany, Japan and Korea. Aodi-
tional funds will, have to be appro-
priated this year in order for us to
maintain our position In these areas.
1t can readily be seen that Con-
gressional action to meet these
needs cannot be delayed until jan
uary.
My action in convening the Con-
gress on November II in no Way
reduces the necessity for pressing
forward with our voluntary food
saving program. Dollars appro-
priated by the Congress cannot feed
hungry people if there is no food
for the dollars to buy. There will
not be enough food unless we-the
people of the United States-save
vast quantities of grain. I am deep
ly gratified at the splendid response
of the American people to our ns-
tiona. food saving program. It IL
an earnest effort to meet the needs
of humanity.
Even with the proposed aid from
this country, the, people of Europe
this winter will be on short rations
They will be cold. and they will be
without many necessities. But our
emergency aid will be definite as
surance of the continuing support
of this Nation for the free peoples
Of Europe.
Challenge to People.
The two problems I have been
discussing with you tonight-high
prices ut home and hunger and