Evening star., 1947-04-22
|vandenbergHits
War Prophecies
In Greek Aid
Repudiotes Johnson
Statement; Senate
Votes at 4 Pm.
BY n. Assesiet.d pr.ss

pr ITO ASScctdf&0 ftvSs
Senator Vandenberg, Repub-
lican, of Michigan described a.
"inflammable" today statements
that President Truman's pro-
gram to bulwark Greece and
Turkey against communism Is
ia declaration of war on Russia" "
The chairman of the Senate For-
eign Relations Committee took the
floor as the 4 pm. hour for q vote
on the s4oo, ,ooo. 900 Greek Turkish
assistance measure approached.
Senator Vandenberg said he arose
to "categorically repudiate" the
statement he said had been repeated
by Senator johnson, Democrat, Of
Colorado. that the Presidents policy
will lead to war with the Soviets.
Invitation to Disaster.
THAT statement, which has been
made repeatedly by the Senator
from Colorado, is an invitation to
the precise disaster that this bill
seeks to prevent" Senator Vanden-
berg said, adding:
THAT Is an inflammable state
ment and 1t is a grave error. I deny
there Is any such purpose in the
heart of any Senator who today
supports the President Of the United
States"
Senator Johnson, who had as
serted previously that the Presi-
dents program involves American
aggression In the Middle East" sat
silently nearby as Senator Vanden-
berg, continued. He had spoken at
length earlier.
Great Britain and the United
States appear to be determined at
any cost, including war, to keep
Russia out of the Dardanelles," the
Colorado Senator said in his speech,
adding:
Turkey now has consummated q
military alliance with the greatest
military power on earth-the United
States of America"
Senator johnson made It clear he
had no hope of defeating President
Truman's proposal to extend $400,-
000, 900 of financial and limited mill
tary aid to the Greeks and Turks.
He said:
Williams Assails Proposak-
"The Congress of the United
States is about ready to inderwrits
this alliance. At 4 o'clock today the
Senate will take this fateful STEP"
Senator Williams, Republican, Of
Delaware, another opponent, told
the Senate the Presidents plan In
wolves "a new American political
doctrine for the world, the cost Of
which could reach untold billions
and the deployment of American
manhood in the front line trenches
OF the global ramparts."
The new venture in foreign pol
icy approached its first Congress
sional showdown amid indications
that it would receive far less en-
phatic backing than the last major
decision in that field-the Senate's
SO to ratification of the United
Nations charter on July 20, 1945.
Score of Dissenters.
A score, more or less, of dissenters
apparently stood ready to vote
against the first segment Of the
developing program of aiding fires
peoples" They have predicted vari--
ously that it will (a) bring eventual
war with Russia, (b), bankrupt the
American economy and (c) destroy
the United Nations.
Nearly three times that number
of senators have lined up to pass
the bill and send it to the House.
Favorable action there also seems
assured later. This would put into
almost immediate effect, through
a proposed $100,000,000 RFC ad-
vance. program Secretary Of state
Marshal called indispensable In q
message from Moscow yesterday TO
Senator Vandenberg.
Taft Backs Plan Reluctantly.
But despite Gen. Marshall's In
dorsement, some supporters Of the
legislation, such as Senator Taft,
Republican, OF Ohio, made 1t clear
they are acting reluctantly.
Many agreed 1t may be necessary
for Uncle Sam to plant his foot
firmly in Europe's strategic back
(See FOREIGN. Page A-47