Evening star., 1947-03-10
Truman to Go Before Congress
"Wednesday to Ask Greek Loan;
Conference Opens in Moscow
Talk Also to Cover
Policies of u. S..
In Near East
By Gornett D. Horner

President Truman will SpeaE
to a joint session of Congress a
l pm. Wednesday in behalf o.
a loan to Greece.
The official White House an
nouncement said the address woult
cover "the situation in the Nea
East" as well.
The announcement came after tn,
President had given a preview O
his plans for American action in tn,
Greek crisis to 13 congressional
leaders of both parties in one houl
and 20 minute meeting in the cab
met room at the White House.
Chairman Vandenberg of the Sen.
ate Foreign Relations Committee
acting as spokesmanSfor the House
and Senate members taking part ir
the conference, told reporters as hi
left the White House:
THE President has discussed with
us in great candor the situation
involved in connection with the pro-
posed Greek loan.
"He will come to a joint session
Of Congress Wednesday to pre-
sent the matter in detail to Congress
and the country.
mo further comment will be made
until that time"
Session Called Harmonious.
Senate Minority Leader Connally
said that the session was a har-
monious one. When reporters asked
him whether Mr.. Truman specif-
ically recommended a Greek loan,
the Senator replied:
"He will say that-he will discuss
that on Wednesday,"
Senator Connally added that all
the legislators have agreed not to
discuss the matter at all until the
Presidents message"
From others, it was learned that
Mr.. Truman will ask for $3.50, ,000,-
600 direct loan to Greece
These persons-among those who
talked with Mr.. Truman-said they
expected the President in his ad-
dress to-:
/. Explain frankly to Congress
and the people the necessity of boil
stering the tottering government of
King George.
2. Discuss the possibility that
some military supplies may have
to be transferred from surplus
stocks in Germany to outfit the
Greek Army in it's clashes with
Commupist-trained guerrillas.
Governments Fall Feared.
Mr.. Truman was represented as
having Hld the 13 members of the
House and Senate who met with him
that unless the United States acts
quickly the Greek government may
fall and Communist elements seize
control of that strategic Mediter-
ranean country.
The President was said to have
emphasized that in any action this
country takes it will be serving pri-
marily the objective of world peace
and American elf-interest.
White House Press Secretary
Charles G. Ross, who gave official
announcement of the President S
plans to appear before Congress
wednesday, described this morn
ing's legislative conference merely
as IAN interchange of views" He
estimated the Presidents address
would run for about 20 minutes. Nc
ARRANGEMENTS had been made fol-
broadcasting it at the time 1t was
announced, but it was generally ex-
pected that such arrangements
would be made.
I Large Issues at Stake.
The Greek crisis raises far-reach-
ing issues in connection with So
viet-American relations generally
and in the Mediterranean area par
ticularly.
Greece has appealed for economic
aid to prevent starvation and to
help rehabilitation of the country
as well as for indirect military as
Sistance to her army against rebel
guerilla bands dominated by Com
munists.
Officials believe that if the United
States does not give such aic
promptly, economic chaos in Greece
would lead to control of the coun-
try. by minority groups subservient
to Moscow.
This would extend Soviet domi-
nation to all the Balkans and in.
(See TRUMAN. Page A-3D