Evening star., 1947-03-09
Historic Debate
On Greek Crisis |:
Appears Likely
Truman Stotefient
Is Due Tomorrow;
Congress Restive
BY The A,.oc;o,.d yre.s

BY the Associufsd rrsss
Rumblings of a prospective
historic debate over Americas
role In Southern Europe sounded
yesterday as the administration
gathered last-minute reports on
Britain's position in preparation
for a showdown on it's course to-
morrow.
Word from the White House was
that President Truman probably
viii announce then, after i confer
enee with Is Congressional leaders
his procedure for dealing with the
Greek situation perhaps q mes
sage to a joint session of Congress
or radio broadcast to the Nation.
Arrangements were made for the
entire Senate Republican member
ship to hear a report on the inter-
national developments tomorrow
night, from Chairman Vandenbere
of the Foreign Relations Commit
tee, the Republican leader on inter-
national matters.
In advance of the meeting at the
White House tomorrow, most Con-
gress members withheld comment on
what ought or ought not to be done
in the face of Greece's appeal fol
aid and impoverished Britain's pros
pective retrenchment. Among these
was Senator Taft, Republican OF
Ohio, chairman of the Republican
Policy Committee, who arranged the
party's senatorial conference.
Two Issue Statements.
Two Republican House members
however, issued statements assailine
proposed American Intervention in
Greece.
Representative Brown of Ohio de.
clared 'The immediate situation in
Greece and similar problems in the
Middle East and elsewhere are def
nitely in the realm of United Ma
tions responsibility and not that Of
the United States or any other one
country alone"
Representative Hoffman of Michi-
gan asserted that American action
in Greece would lead to "the de-
mand that we must again send mil
lions OF men abroad to fight on for
eign soil"
On the other side, Lewis w. Doug
las, taking oath as new Ambassador
to Britain, said "The position and
welfare of Britain and the British
commonwealth of nations is no less
Significant to the vital national In
terests OF the United States during
these critical times than they were
during the war" He conferred with
the President and announced plans
to sail for London next Saturday.
May Ask Aid for Turkey.
In addition to aid for Greece
with its indirect assistance to Tur-
key-many diplomats and legisla-
tors expected Mr.. Truman to ask for
q direct American prop under
Turkey.
Turkish economy is under heavy
strain supporting an army which
has been on virtual war footing
since the outbreak Of European hos
tilitiea
Some reports indicated the Turks
had as mucn as IS per cent of their
available manpower backing up
their northern border against Rus
sian demands for a strategic posi-
ton on the Dardanelles.
Most Of the talk about Turkey re-
volved around equipment to in
crease the effectiveness of the in
dividual Turkish soldier and per-
haps permit release Of some soldiers
for oJher. work, and machine tools
to lessen the manpower demands OF
Turkish industry.
Would Be on Smaller Scale.
So far as was publicly reported
here, the Turks have made no plea
for direct outside aid. The Turkish
assistance program as discussed
here would be on a much smaller
scale than the program for Greece.
The Turkish and Greek problems
are closely interrelated.
Following Mr.. Truman's cancella-
ton Of the Caribbean trip on which
he was to have left yesterday, Sec
retary of the Navy Forrestal an
nounced during the day that he has
abandoned plans to attend the fleet
maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea.
He was to have left tomorrow. Nc
reason was given for the cancella-
ton, but it was believed that Mr.
Forrestal is remaining here for dis
cussions on the Greek situation.
InverchapeI Sees Acheson.
The late reports on what Britain
has been doing toward meeting OBJ
legations in Greece were given BY
Lord .Inverchapel, the British Am
bassador, who conferred with Under
secretary of State Acheson at the
latter'S request.
Reliable diplomatic informants
said there remains Chance" tina,
Britain will retain some responsible
ity in Greece despite q decision tt
withdraw about half of her remain
ing 10000 to 5000 troops immedi-
ately and the remainder by the end
of the summer. These informants
said this will depend on the extent
and nature of American aid.
Mr.. Truman was reported to be
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