Evening star., 1947-10-05
Henderson Says Foes
0fReeonstruetion Call
Greek Aid War Peril

Greek Aid War Peril
American aid to Greece could be
construed as step toward war only
If there are forces which would
prefer war to the reconstruction of
democratic and independent ma
tion in Southeastern Europe" 10y
W. Henderson, director of the State
Departments once Of Near Eastern
and African Affairs, said last night.
An on-the-sc scene observer during
the recent Greek government reor-
ganization. Mr.. Henderson spoke be-
fore the Wellesley Club of Washing
ton at the Statler Hotel.
Also speaking on the program to
launch the 18th anniversary fund
campaign for Wellesley College was
its president, Mrs. Mildred McAfee
Horton. ',
THE President. the United States
Government, and, feel sure, the
our stand in Greece is just and
honorable one. directed as hostile
gesture toward no one," said Mr..
Henderson.
Fear of Surrender Seen.
He estimated that go per cent of
the Greek guerrillas would surrender
but for fear Of their Communist
leaders.
Mr.. Henderson said fanaticism OF
hard core" of Communists plus
support from across the Balkan
frontiers explains how the Reds are
able to continue fomenting disorder
in Greece.
Summarizing the exigencies which
led to congressional appropriation
of funds to resuscitate Greece, Mr.
Henderson said he had returned
with some rather definite impres-
sions" that may help to correct
erroneous ideas about Greece and
the Greek people.
One of these ideas Is that 'liber-
alism in the real sense of the word
is dying out in Greece" and that
the people are drifting to the ex-
treme right or to totalitarianism,
Mr.. Henderson said.
People Held Really Liberal
Asserting the belief that the great
bulk of the people are still liberal
at heart and cherish the ideals of
democracy, Mr.. Henderson said
this spirit was not confined to one
party or group, but was inbedded
among both royalists and republi-
cans.
80 long as they retain their spirit
OF tolerance and the dislike of ex-
cesses, there is hope for the future
of Greece" he added.
Mr.. Henderson also painted as
false the idea that Greece is being
rich and the very poor He said
there were now fewer rich people
than before the war and that if
their riches were distributed among
the poor, the average Greeks eco
nomic improvement hardly would be
noticeable.
He also took issue with those who
believe all non-Communist Greek
political leaders are incompetent
and self-seeking. He said he had
returned with the firm conviction
that among the political leaders may|,
be found the same spirit of lofty
patriotism and broad statesmanshtpf
that exists in the United States. Il
Communists Put at 40 Per Cent.
Mr. Henderson said it was well
known that the rank and file of
guerrillas in Greece were not Com
munists, and that Communists prob
ably do not exceed 80 or 40 per cent
Of the total. i T.
Although many of the others
bandits and political enemies of the
present Greek government-would
like to take advantage of an appeal
to surrender with amnesty, they are
stayed by the strong arms of the
Communist leaders, he said.
Our latest information is that
the guerrillas operate in bands of
TO-" said Mr.. Henderson. I'm each
band there are four Communists
who are charged with preventing
the others from escaping or at
tempting to surrender to the Greek
authorities
About Communist intentions in
Greece, he said:
The Communist aims and meth
DDS are we'll known and recognized
for what they are: condemnation
of whole nation to near starvation,
poverty and hopelessness so that an
armed minority may finally bend to
its will nation proud of its tradi-
tional devotion throughout the ages
to the cause and freedom of de-
mocracy."
Public Funds Sought for School.
In her address opening the We'll
lesley College fund drive, Mrs. Hor-
ton said that along with all other
colleges in good and regular stand
ing the one I represent is feeling
poor these days"
She said the experience has led ,
Wellesley and other colleges to de-
public for funds to support pri- ]
vate Independent college for women. .
Mrs. Horton based her thesis on
the need for "cloisters" instead of !
the present overcroWded conditions /
of educational institutions, to pro- |
mote the kind of thinking needed {
today. j
IF we would have peace in our
time or in the time of our children's 4
children we must have more of the :
cloister- trained citizens" she said /
Among the guests at the dinner t
were the Greek and Turkish Am G
bassadors and Government officials. r
T.Lo-n DcrL Hh,,r>k +