The Wilmington morning star., 1947-07-12
The Marshall CHALLENGE
BY ANNE O'HARE MCCORMICK

Z SSG xV4 1OSS~SG WV
BY ANNE o'HARE MCCORMICK
Day by day it becomes clearer that the
Marshall challenge has done more than any
thing else since the liberation to change the
mind and stir the spirit of Europe. Just the
suggestion thai they could do something for
themselves, plan for their own future, was
like the opening Of q dead-end street for the
nations Of that continent. Instead of making
them fear for their sovereignty, it revived
the fading hope Of independence. It is a sum-
mons to cooperation, a sudden revelation tc
the weak that they mighs develop strength
in combinations; instead Of deepening the di-
vision, it is actually the first move to give
Europe a sense Of Indignation and show up
the ersatz character Ct the Iron Curtain.
The states in the Soviet zone that do not
accept the invitation to Paris make it very
apparent that they would if they could. Even
the Moscow-sponsored Governments chafe al
the bit. With all their reservations. Commu-
mist leaders in Italy and France, Togliatto,
Thorez and Duclos, dare not openly oppose
their Governments on this issue. So besides
offering the countries this side of Russia a
new way out Of their difficulties. the Mar
shall proposal must also cause riffs in the
Soviet encourage and considerable uneasiness
in the Kremlin.
OF course the European nations dislike de-
pellleICe OIL the OIlIteQ SldLeS. Inc ddVeS
are never popular with the Have-Nots. It was
mainly to avoid further separate appeals to
Washington for aid that the British and
French Governments gr1sped at the chance
to participate in a general recovery plan.
But what Mr.. Molotov forgot in His dark
warnings against dollar domination was that
the border states see in this plan a possible
escape from complete dependence on Russia,
which they dislike even more. Or perhaps
he remembered it too well.
There are many signs of the change in the
European outlook. Some observers believe
that the Germans, expecting to benefit by the
East-West rupture. are chuckling over the
Soviet refusal to cooperate in rebuilding the
economy Of Europe. If this were true. if the
Germans chuckled every time the ~victors dis
agreed, they would be less miserable than
they appear to the traveller in that dismal
land Tn fact is that they do not rejoice at
a division that cuts the country in two and
dims the prospect Of unification and peace.
Only the politicians are really interested in
anything beyond the days necessities, but the
ordinary German is as gloomy at the thought
OF a battle line drawn through Germany as
is every other European at the idea Of a con-
tineHt divided against itself. The relief Of
the Western states over the decision Of
Cechoslovakia is the measure Of their desire
for reconciliation.
The Germans see one effect Of the Mar
N III tIc SIll1SIlIlS at
titude Of the American representative in the
fourpower Konmandatura in Berlin. The
original intention was that the ouadripartite
RUE c1 Germany was to be coordinated in
this central. control commission. But almost
1t once the four zones developed into separate
states. each governed on different lines. and
tne communicative became mostly the gov
eminent of Berlin. The zonal governors con.
tlnued to meet regularly at the Headquarters
n ne former Peoples Court and administra-
i've disagreements seemed to be ironed out.
This show of agreement was hailed az
good sugury, but now it is stated that the
concord was the result Of "a series Of con-
cesslons IN the interests OF quadripartite har.
nony." IT is no surprise to hear that the
concessions were to the Soviet point of view
and that the Russians. in this case supported
by the French, nave thereby succeeded in
gaming control of the city government. APP
parenily the Americans are tired Of this mol.
ICY. A report published in this paper yester-
day said their military Government officials
NARRATED that they had given in for the last
time TO the Russians in the Kommandatura.''
Ihere does not seem to be much connec-
tlo:i between this and reports from Washing
ron ina. despite the Presidents appeal, Con
eress is unlikely to act in this session on
the Stratton bill to authorize the admission
INTO tbs country of 400. 900 displaced persons.
Yet congressional reluctance to move in this
matter inevitably brings Up the question
VI NC change wrought by the Marshall
policy in the mind Of Europe, and the Ameri-
can mind in Europe. will be matched by a
comparable movement, in the mind Of the
people at home.
1t is unthinkable that American leadership.
at The moment of its most positive influence
on world policy, should not be fully support
ed by the American people, but our delay in
shouldering our share Of responsibility in solv-
ing one Of the simplest and most urgent of
postwar problems raises disturbing doubts.
AS lorg as these refugees from Communist
dominated countries are left in camps in Ger
many, italy and Austria they are an expense
to che American taxpayer and a contradic-
ton Of all our lofty talk about human rights.
Admitted here under the regular immigration
laws. they viii be the charge Of relatives,
friends ano religious groups, Catholic, Prot
estant and Jewish, who have guaranteed to
take care Of them.
To leave them for another year, or until
Congress is ready to consider their fate, is
to condemn many to despair and death and
take all the virtue out of our action. Other
na~tions-Britain, France, Belgium, Argentina.
Brazil-are already doing their part. How can
we expect the world to count on us to sustain
human freedom in Europe when we hesitate
to save these victims who have fallen be-
tween two tyrannies?-New York Times.