Evening star., 1947-05-05

lson1e Of the departments activities
"are plainly the 0ltgroNth Of In
adequate planning and lack of
proper coordination. z
It said the cultural and informa-
/ tion program outside Latin Amer
lea Is not authorized BY law, is q
radical departure In the methods
of conducting our foreign affairs, =
and is mot efilciently admins
tered" ." It criticized the selection
/ Of books and paintings to be sent
abroad.
Sees Plan sOut Of Tune.
TT would also seem, the commit
tee commented, that Govern
ment-sponsored program is slightly
out Of tune with American prece-
dents and American principles, and
: this COMMITTEES, at least,
does not feel that our Government
should further remain In the news
business.
AS an alternative, the committee
suggested ID fuller use OF the
United Nations Educational, Scien-
Itiflc and Cultural Organization and
% encouragement Of greater inter-
national activity by private enter
prise" through elimination OF "red
tape" in travel and exchange Of
goods.
Gen. Marshall, who appeared be-
fore the House committee before
leaving for Moscow, had these other
points to make:
I. Political and economic prob
lens IN the Middle East are grow
Ing in complexity. OF par
ticlllar Importance to us are prob
lens affecting Greece, Palestine,
Iran, the Arabian peninsula and
Turkey"
2. The budget estimates for the IL
months beginning July called for
$277 ,900, 900. as contrasted to total
Of $23 SOC, 900 for 1884, the last pre-
war year. This increase Is a direct
reflection on the increased RESPONSE
bility of the United States in inter-
national relations
8. In taking over trusteeships for
the Pacific Islands, this Nation is
not "embarking upon an aggressive
atcion there at all. 1t is protective.
We got into an absolutely lament
able situation there after the limi-
tation of armament conference in
the 1905 which we must never
duplicate again.,
4. Il am in a department which
everybody has been criticizing for its
lack of organization, for It's lack of
effectiveness. I am trying by level
best to see that things are
done effectively because the whole
business is so vital to the interests
Of the United States" :
5. IF we have q completely un-
balanced economy abroad, then we
have there q fruitful source for fu-
ture trouble. We cannot ig-
more starving people"
Benton Explains Program.
Assistant Secretary Of State Ben
ton, who Is in charge of the in
formation and cultural program,
told the committee:
TO put it bluntly, In order to
play a leading and successful role
in the world, the United States
needs to be understood"
Representative Stefan, Republi-
can, of Nebraska, chairman of the
subcommittee which conducted the
State Department hearings, inter-
rupted Mr.. Benton at one point to
assert that this Nations finances
are limited and that hungry people
throughout the world are crying
out: Bread, bread, we want bread"
II, for one" he said, "do not want
my country to repeat the mistake
of Marie Antoinette and reply:
Let them eat words
II want to stop the growth of
Communism through the world
every bit as much as the State De-
partment' wants to do it." he said.
My choice of weapons in this war
OF theology, is food, not. fanfare. ="
= Gen. Smith Favors Broadcasts.
1t. Gen. Walter Bedell Smith
American Ambassador to Russia
who arrived here Saturday by plane
from Moscow for a Today stay, said
ut would be too bad" If the broad
casts to Russia are stopped.
The 81 key congressional leaders