Evening star., 1947-03-11
Leaders in Congress
Undecided on Helping
Greece and Turkey
~ she A,,ee;ut.d Pros.

|Greece and Turkey
BY The As,eeiafsd Press
An assertion by Senator VAN
denberg, Republican, OF Michi-
gan. that the United States may
shoulder worldwide obligations
by helping Greece sharpened
congressional attention today on
President Truman's promised re-
port on the Mediterranean Dip
lomatic crisis.
The President goes before a Joint
session Of the House and Senate at
l pm. tomorrow for q policy state
|ment which members seem certain
to weigh word by word before they
reach any decision to pump Amer
lean dollars and prestige into Greece
and Turkey.
VIII BE TeIeyised.
Mr.. Truman has practically COM
pleted the speech, Press Secretary
Charles g. Ross said today. The
message will run about 20 minutes,
and In addition to the all-network
radio coverage it will be televised.
Members OF the cabinet will 60
to the Capitol to listen to 1t.
There were strong indications that
the form in which Mr.. Truman
couches any proposal to help the two
countries may tip the scales for or
against American Intervention at
the strategic back door of Europe.
From what they learned at White
House conferences, legislative lead
ers have concluded the President
will recommend loan of $250, ,0O0,-
600 for Greece and a credit of $780,
900, 1000 for Turkey to bolster those
two nations economy at home, help
meet the cost Of maintaining their
armed forces and pay for military
equipment they need.
Full Statement Awaited.
Senator Vandenberg, who heads
the Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee, and has served as State
Department adviser at world diplo-
matte conferences, pointed up pres
ent congressional indecision.
The Michigan Senator, twice Wis
itor at White House talks in which
Mr.. Truman discussed the critical
situation with legislators, said he is
withholding any Judgment until a
full statement is made to the coun-
try by the President"
Senator Vandenburg told a news
conference after a meeting of the
Senate's 81 Republicans last night
he hopes the total implications" OF
any American economic intervention
in the Mediterranean will be ex-
planned to Congress and the people
by the President.
so far as the Greek loan is con-
cerned," he said, IT simply indicated
to my colleagues my opinion that it
Is not an isolated phase but may
prove to be symbolic of a general
policy which may have to be pur-
sued around the world, inasmuch as
the fundamentals are involved in
so many situations"
Senator Vandenberg did not elab-
crate on these fundamentals, but
other legislators said they involve
decision whether the United States
is to offer economic help-and
possibly indirect military aid-to gov
ernments which are threatened from
within and without by Communist
forces.
Senator Vandenberg was said by
some of his colleagues to have posed
at yesterdays White House confer
ence the question whether the
United States could help Greece
|repel Communist forces while deny
ing such assistance to the Chinese
Nationalist government. a
Some diplomatic authorities have.
suggested that Iran--focal point OF
a diplomatic crisis with Russia last
'year-might be the next country to
bid for American economic aid in
the face of Soviet pressures.
The Iranian Ma jlis, or Parliament,
lis scheduled to consider shortly a
Russian proposal for joint develop
ment of that Nations oil resources,
with the Soviet union in firm con-
troll Of the program.
Diplomats said the nom Commun-
ist regime at Teheran may tell this
country that without American
credits to bolster its economy and
to strengthen its Army it will have
to submit to the Kremlin's demands.
Senator Vandenberg's reluctance
to announce any decision in advance
of President Truman's formal mes
sage was matched generally in Con-
gress.
Senator. Taft of Ohio, chairman
of the Republican Policy Commit
tee, told a reporter that even after
hearing Mr.. Truman's frank discus
sion of the situation yesterday ~he
won't be able to make up his mind
until he hears the exact form of
the report to Congress.
Similarly, Senator Brewster, Re-
publican. Of Maine said he is ION
balance" awaiting the Presidents
statement. @