Evening star., 1947-03-04
Greek Aid Of Top Importance
For y. S., Marshall Declares;
Urges Speed on 4 Peace Pocts
Urgent Attention
Given Problem by
Truman, He Says
BY the Assoeicfed Press

tIuHuHy TIC Guys
BY the Assoeioied Press
Secretary of State Marshall
said today that aid to Greece is
"a matter of primary Importance
to the United States" &
In his first formal statement on
pleas of the Athens government
and Britain for assistance to Greece,
Gen. Marshall said the matter has
received the urgent attention" of
PresidentTruman and has been dis
cussed with congressional leaders.
The Secretary promised that a
full public statement will be made
soon when study by the State De-
partment and other executive agen-
cies is completed.
"The problems involved are so
far reaching and of such transcend
ent importance that any announce
ment relating to them could properly
come only from the President him
SELF" Gen. Marshall said.
He added that the final decisions
on what further steps the United
States may take to bolster Greece's
stability will rest with MI. Truman
and Congress.
Shortly before Gen. Marshall's
statement was issued. Greece was
reported to have directed an "ur-
gent appeal" to the United States
for finaiicial help.
Note Delivered to Acheson.
The appeal was contained in
note delivered yesterday to Under
secretary Acheson by Paul Econo-
mou-Gouras, Greek Charge DAFT
flares. The text was not made
public.
Announcement of the appeal was
made by Press Officer Reginald
Mitchell, who said it was couched
in general terms without mention
Of specific sums or purposes for
which they might be required.
Gen. Marshall said Britain as well
as the United States, "has likewise
been bending every effort to help
Greece"
His statement has been forecast
since last Thursdays top secret
White House conference on Greece.
This meeting was called to consider
London's notification that it would
be forced by Britainis own financial
difficulties to pull out of its postwar
efforts to bolster Greece,s anti
Communist regime as western bull
wark in the Mediterranean
Gen. Marshall said:
"The Greek government has re-.
newed its request for help.
'In the light Of the world situa-
ton, this is matter of primary
Importance to the United States"
Text Of Marshall Statement.
The text of Gen. Marshall's state
ment follows; i
For some time this government
has been endeavoring in various
ways to assist in the restoration of
the economy OF Greece.
"Spdrred by appeals from the
Greek government, it has been
studying ways and means of provid-
ing additional assistance.
"This study impelled the dispatch
Of the economic mission headed by
Paul A. Porter which is now in
Greece.
1T has also involved consultations
and exchanges of ideas with the
Greek government and the British
government, which has likewise been
bending every effort to help Greece
Recently, reports from our own
representatives and from the Greek
and British governments have shown
that the economic condition Of
Greece has deteriorated to the verge
Of collapse.
1.-THE Greek government has re-
newed its request for help.
"Matter of Primary Importance"
'In the light of the world situa-
tion, this is a matter of primary
Importance to the United States.
ut has received the urgent atten-
ton of the President and the execu-
tive agencies concerned. 1t has
been discussed with the appropriate
congressional leaders.
VI can not say anything today
regarding the action which may be
taken other than that a full public
statement will be made very soon
when the executive agencies have
completed their consideration of the
matter.
"The problems involved are so
far-reaching and of such transcend
ent Importance that any announce
ment relating to them could prop
erly ceme only from the President
himself. The final decisions will
rest with the President and the
Congress"
Misinterpretation Feared.
Earlier, Senator Pepper, Demo-
crat, of Florida proposed that the
Greek crisis be submitted to the
United Nations lest action by this
country alone to assume British
. commitments there be interpreted
as an 'imperialistic move" aimed
at Russia.
With the Greek situation dominat-
ing Senate interest, Senator Pepper
told reporters he hopes this country
won't elect to pursue the fools gold
Of Imperialism by picking up alone
Britain's economic commitments in
that country.
Senator Pepper said any Ameri-
(see GREECE, Page A-40
Dutch Confiscate U. s. Ship