Evening star., 1947-07-12
bevin Is Elected
Par|ey Head as
NationsConvene
Britain and France
Pledge Full Support
Of Recovery Plan
BY The Associated Press

PARIS, July 12.-Delegates of
16 nations began a conference
today on American aid for Euro
pean economic recovery and
were told that Britain and
France would give Secretary of
State Marshall's plan firm back
ing.
British Foreign, Secretary Bevin
was elected president of the confer
ence and Immediately pledged in
support Of the plan the resources
of the whole British commonwealth
of nations-insofar as we can in
huence it,"
Earlier, French Foreign Minister
Bidault in opening the meeting in
the foreign ministry's grand dining
hall said Britain and France would
spare no effort to make the confer
ence success.
Russia and eight other Eastern
nations were not represented. Soviet
Foreign Minister Molotov had re-
fused to join Mr.. Bevin and Mr.
Bidault in sponsoring the parley,
and the other countries, following
Russia's lead, had turned down in
vitations.
France at Head Of Table.
The conference started at HOS
am. France was seated at the head
of the conference table. Il am au-
thorized to state for the British
government" Mr.. Bevin said, that
not only the resources of Britain
but, insofar as we can influence it,
the resources of the entire British
Commonwealth of Nations will be
thrown into the support OF this ef-
fort"
He stressed that the conference
was economic and not political.
II emphasize again" he declared,
"that this is a voluntary arrange
ment. We are attempting to organ
ize the economic resources OF the
continent for the benefit OF all
Europe. -"
Mr.. Bidault said the primary OBJ
jective of the meeting would be to
form an organization to determine
Europe's resources and needs as a
preliminary to requesting American
financial assistance. Gen. Marshall
in Harvard University speech June
5 offered American support OF a
common European reconstruction
program.
Sessions Open to Press.
The conference accepted Mr..
Bidault's proposal that the sessions
be open to the press, and many
newspapermen crowded into the
meeting place.
| Mr.. Bevin was nominated for the
presidency by the Lowlands bloc
Belgium, Luxembourg and the Meth
erlands.
Speaking Of the absence of Russia
and eight states within the Soviet
orbit, Mr.. Bevin said:
ut is a matter Of regret that
! certain countries have not been
able to attend this conference. I am
sure that they regret it themselves.
We regret their absence, but we
fully understand and express our
sympathy.
"It Is the sentiment of Britain and
other countries at this conference,
and countries outside the conference
as we'll, that the door Is always open
to all countries of good will who
wish to contribute to the health Of
Europe"
Russian Charge Scored.
| Mr.. Bevin labeled as "just nom
sense" the Russian charge that the
Western powers were interfering
with the sovereignty of small ma
tions.
Italian Foreign Minister Carlo
Sforza, the only delegate besides
Mr.. Bevin and Mr.. Bidault to speak,
said the program fashioned here
must be kept open to Eastern Euro
pean states and that "the German
people must remain in the COM
munity of industry and trade" He
offered Italy's ports, factories, rail-
(See MARSHALL PLAN, Page A-20