The Wilmington morning star., 1947-03-13

lSt's
text of President Truman S
inc TO congress on the Med.
rsnean situation follows:
l'e President. MI. Speaker,
u.n r Of the Congress CT the
United States:
& confronts the world today
sA sssitates my appearance be
,ere a joint session Of the Con-
si The foreign policy and the ma
..aaI security Of this country are
n one aspect of the present situa-
which | wish to present to
noI' at this time for your consid-
yU Wv and decision, concerns
ersece and Turkey.
The United States has received
80 the Greek government an
nr@en+ appeal for financial and
aaonomic assistance. Preliminary
s.norts from the American Eco
.ric mission now in Greece and
n.norts from the American Am.
s.,tador in Greece corroborate
~. statement of the Greek gov
amnent that assistance is jmper-
..ivo if Greece is to survive as
tree nation.
= do no. believe that the Ameri-
AN people and the Congress wish
~ turn a deaf ear to the appea
' 4 the Greek government.
Greece is not a rich country.
r.ck of sufficient natural resourc-
., has always forced the Greek
reople to work hard to make both
srds meet. Since 1910, this indus
,rious and peace loving country
has suffered invasion, four years
n cruel enemy occupation, and
hitter internal strife.
Villages Burned
When forces Of liberation enter
.d Greece they found that the re-
tresting Germans had destroyed
virtually all the railways, roads,
mort facilities, communications.
and merchant marine. More than
thousand villages had been
burned. Eighty-five percent Of the
children we're tubercular. Live
stock poultry, and draft animals
had almost disappeared. Initiation
had wiped out practically all saw.
ings.
As a result Of these tragic con-
dltions, a militant minority. ex-
ploiting human want and misery,
was able to create political chaos
which, until now, has made eco
nomic recovery impossible.
Greece is today without funds
10 finance the importation of those
goods which are essential to bare
subsistence. Under these circum-
stances the people of Greece cam
not make progress in solving
their problems of reconstruction.
Greece is in desperate need of fl
nNncial and economic assistance
to enable it to resume purchases
Of FOOD, clothing, fuel and seeds.
These are indispensable for the
subsistence of its people and are
obtainsble only from abroad.
Greece must have help to import
the goods necessary to restore in
ternal order and security 80 es,
sential for economic and political
recovery.
Need Expert Help
The Greek government has also
asked for the assistance of expert
enced American administrators,
economists and technicians to in
sure that the financial and other
aid given to Greece shall be used
effectively in creating a stable
and self-sustaining economy and
In improving its public admins.
tration.
The very existence of the Greek
state is today threatened by the
terrorist activities Of several thou
iand armed men, led by Cornmu-
hsts. who defy the governments
authority at a number Of points,
particularly along the Northern
boundaries. A commission ap-
pointed by the United Nations Sc
curlty council is at present inves-
tgatlng disturbed conditions IN
Northern Greece and alleged Dor
Ger violations along the frontier
between Greece on the one hand
and Albania, Bulgaria., and Yugo-
aavla on the other.
Meanwhile. the Greek govern
ment is unable to cope with the
situation. The Greek army is
small and poorly equipped. 1t
needs supplies and equipment il
!, is to restore the authority of
,he government throughout Greek
territory.
greece must have assistance #
II Is 10 become a seE-supporting
ana self-respecting democracy.
No Other Source
lhe United States must supply
"dI assistance. We have already
extended to Greece certain types
VI relief and economic aid but
.ieSe are inadequate. There is NO
plnef country 10 which Jo~oor,+;-