Evening star., 1947-08-01
Britain consuIs U. 5.
On Recall Of Troops !.
In Italy, Greece
BY. me Assse;essd Press

LOkDON,iA 1-The Foreign
Office announced today that
Britain was giving urgent" con-
sideration to the reduction and
withdrawal OF her troops in italy
and Greece.
A spokesman unsolicitedly told =
news conference that while no date
has yet been decided on, the ques-
ton was being considered urgently
as part of Britain's policy for speed
ing up demobilization OF her armed
forces to provide manpower needed
for industry and for reducing her
financial commitments overseas.
The spokesman said the United
States Government was being con-
suited on the matter, but told news
men he could not comment on
whether the United States had ex-
pressed any definite views.
Trieste Not Affected.
Withdrawal from Italy, he said,
would not affect 5000 British SOL
diers stationed in the Trieste area
as part OF an international force
established under the Allied peace
treaty with Italy.
Under the treaty, he said, these
troops would remain until the gov
ernor Of Trieste decided they could
60.
The spokesman said he was mot
aware" Of any British decision to
reduce her estimated 200 900 to 300,-
600 occupation forces In the British
zone OF Germany. He emphasized.
however, that his "unawareness" did
not mean the matter was not under
consideration at high level.
Last Wednesday an authoritative
source told the Associated Press that
Britain would reduce her forces
from Italy and Greece and would
pare her occups ton army in Ger
many as part OF the country's all
out bid to cut overseas commitments
in order to stave of domestic diff
culties.
Britain has between 5000 and g.
900 men in Greece, according to
authoritative estimates, and about
10000 in Italy.
Big Ration Cuts Forecast.
Meanwhile. immediate large-scale
cuts in Britain's meager food ra-
tions were forecast as cabinet min
listers studied plans to combat the
nations economic crisis.
A well-informed source close to
the government said Prime Minister
Attlee would disclose the details in
announcing his crisis program in
the House OF Commons next
Wednesday.
Meanwhile the Daily Express and
Daily Telegraph. persistent critics
OF the Labor regime. said the cuts
would be between IS and 50 per cent
in some foods already rstioned more
thinly than in wartime.
The newspapers foressw deep cuts
in meat. butter, grain and timed
foods, especially fruit and vegeta-
bles. The source confirmed that
sharp reductions were coming, but
refused details.
Meat already is rationed to one
shilling and two pence (about "a
cents worth per week-ahout
enough for one meal. The butter
ration is 21a ounces per week.
Canned food distribution is restrict
ed by stiff point. rationing system.
While the people awaited details
OF the cuts, a government source
said Britain was pressing the United
States to relax provisions of the
American loan agreement restrict
ing British imports-including food
imports-from other nations. a..
End Of Restriction Sought.
Under the agreement Britain may
not increase her expenditures in
other nations. except those with
war-damaeed economies. II the in
creases are made at the expense
of her buying program in the
United States.
The source said the government
wanted American approval to step
up her purchases, especially food
purchases, in her dominions.
Recent reports said the United
States was willing to relax the
agreement so far As 1t concerned
British trade with her colonies, as
opposed to the dominions.
Four dominions-Australis. New
Zealand, South Africa and Canada
ARE rich in food.
Only in Canada does Britain have
to buy with her scarce dollars. In
the other dominions. she gets her
imports for pounds sterling.
The government source said Sir
Stafford Cripps, president Of the
governments Board of Trade. had
expected to discuss Anglo Dominion
trade with American Undersecre-
tary of State Clayton In Paris yes
terday.
He could not confirm that the
subject actually was discussed At
the Cripps- Clayton conference. but
said If it was not, 1t would be At
o later conference.