Evening star., 1947-08-13
Donovan Backs Relief
For Europe as Vital
To u. ). Defense Plan
By Robert S. Allen

BY Robert S. Allen
Maj. Gen. William J. Donovan,
wartime head Of the Once Of Sta
tegic Services, today declared that
United States aid to Europe is es-
sential as defense measure.
"Our danger lies not in the in
evitability of war;" the international
lawyer and hero Of two world wars
said. TN point of fact, Russia may
profit more in the confusion of peace
than from the risk of war
For us. q more certain danger
lies in this fact that If we permit
Russia to seize strategic bases
ideologically, to cut across our lines
of communication and carry on
theological warfare against us, we
will find ourselves unable to get in
q position to fight should the time
ever come that we have to fight.
THE countries of Western Europe
must be regarded as constituting our
outer bastion Of defense, economi-
cally as we'll as in a military sense.
In a military sense, we have seen
In the last two wars how these
countries have given us the oppor-
tunity to mobilize our forces. In an
economic sense, we feel the roper
cussions in America of what hap
pens in these countries"
Returns From Tour Of Europe.
Gen. Donovan voiced his views
following his return from an ex-
tended tour of Europe. While abroad,
he conferred with government and
business leaders in England, France,
Germany. Italy and Austria.
The extent and speed Of recon-
struction in France and italy had
particularly impressed him. But, he
pointed out, both countries face
grave economic and political prob
lens. He stressed the necessity of
aggressive theological campaigning
by the. United States.
by chat I don't mean merely the
Voice of America propaganda put
out by the State Department" he
said. Telling the world how good
we are over the radio and in publi-
cations is all right. But there Is a
lot more to it than that. There Is
also the responsibility of private
citizens and private organizations
dealing with peoples abroad to
demonstrate our strength morally
and politically"
Summarizes Conditions.
Gen. Donovan summarized condi-
tions in the countries he visited
as follows:
England-"The troubles Of Eng
land stem not from her losses at
home alone but from the devasta-
ton of other countries. This is
exemplified by the fact that she ad-
vances money to keep Germany
alive, and borrows the funds to do
20. All classes in England except
the wage earners have suffered
decline in their standard of living
The core of the British production
problem is coal. Yet the leader OF
the mine workers is Arthur Horner,
q Communist"
France-"There Is active conflict
between the Communists and the de
Gaullists. Going through France,
one Is impressed with the speed OF
reconstruction in public utilities,
highways and bridges. But progress
has not been so rapid In the prob
lem Of political reconstruction. the
conflict between the right and the
left"
Italy-"The spirit >of the italian
worker is truly impressive. He is a
very vital factor in Italy's economic
recovery. Since last year, Italy's
merchant shipping has risen from
00,000 to 100000 tons. Much OF
this increase has been due to the
skill of Italian salvage and repair
workers. However, there still are
3 3,OOO,O 900 unemployed in Italy. Also.
no pensions are being paid by the
government, not even to the par
tisans and the thousands of civilian
victims of German reprisals."
Austria-"Outwardly, conditions
In Austria have improved. Inwardly,
this is not the case. Russia already
has in it's grasp all the members of
the old Austro- Hungarian empire
with the exception of Austria.
There is evidence that Russia
wants the other Allies to withdraw
from Austria. Russia Is constantly
seizing properties, particularly oil,
that she feels may be delayed in
conoinp To her by negotiation, There
is fear among many Austrians that
Russia may attempt the same kind
of coup there that she did in
Hungary"
Germany-"It is difficult for
Americans who have not been in
Germany to realize the seriousness :
of this problem. Solution OF the
problem has not been helped by the !
conflict over policies among the
Allied powers. AS in England, the
core of recovery in Germany is coal
production and increased manufac- /
turing activity.
The difficulties in the Ruhr have
been intensified by the insistence OF
the British government on national
izing the coal mines. Until there is
agreement between the Americans,
British and French on the handling
of the coal problem, there can be no
hope for a revival of German in
dustry."
tReleased by the North American News
paper Alliance0
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