Evening star., 1947-03-09
Greece
CONTINUED From First PAGE

JcCtSQ request 10 COngTeS 1Or QlTeCl
authority to supply American aid
to Greece.
Although the President was given
sn initial official estimate that $3.50
600, 900 would be needed this year to
put the Greeks back on their feet
economically, Government officials
who have been working on the spe-
ciflc bill of particulars said only a
fraction of the total might require
action by Congress.
To make up the difference, the
use OF surplus property and Export
Import Bank credits has been thor.
oughly explored since Britain served
notice Of inability to continue sup
porting the Greek regime.
Seeks World Bank Loan.
A large share OF a proposed $780,
100000 relief appropriation for liher-
ated countries is ear,marked to sup
ply food, clothing and other emer-
gency aid to Greece. -.-
Ultimately, too, Greece is expected
to try to qualify for a loan from
the World Bank.
To head of threatened imitation,
the Athens government has pleaded,
however, for $4,000 900 or more
without delay to bolster its cur
rency, plus undisclosed sums to pay
and supply the army engaged in
suppressing internal strife ano
fighting Leftist guerrilla bands.
The whole situation is complicated
by the fact that if and when the
United States acts in Greece. it will
place this country in e. position oil
choosing sides in an area where the
interests of the western powers
and Russia have clashed. Il
High-ranking diplomats have said
that the collapse of the Greek gov
ernment would mean its replace
ment by Communist regime work.
ing in close collaboration with the
Soviet Union. -.... .t.l.,..
This would mean a Russian
dominated country astride the
British lifeline to the East, and in
a position to outflank Turkey which
thus far has resisted Soviet pres
sure for border changes and a big
voice in the defense of the strategic
Dardanelles.
Brown Opposes Build-ups.
In his statement, Mr.. Brown de-
clared the administration Is :'ren.
dering great disservice to the
American people by shrouding the
Greek situation in secrecy" and that
the people do not want these
mysterious build-ups"
"The Greek situation presents q
clear opportunity for the United
Nations to function as an organiza-
tion," he continued. 1T was so in
tended to function and unless we
change it from a debating society
into a mechanism of action 1t can
not survive.
IF this administration attempts
to start us on the road to imperial
ism, the Congress will refuse to &c
along. I believe the hour Is al
hand to call a spade a spade, and
deplore the secrecy which is Great
ing SO much speculation and attend
ant anxiety"
Mr.. Hoffman declared that Eng
land, whose labor government, after
We gave her billions, has seized pri-
vate industries, destroyed free en-.
terprise, is on the verge of collapse,
and no longer can successfully de-
fend her territory"
Demand for Troops Predicted.
$50" he said, comes the propa-
sanda that the United States, with
her millions of veterans still in need
'"' to save herself, must contribute
millions-yes. billions-of dollars te
feed and clothe and arm the people
of other nations.
And next will come-and do not
be deceived-the demand that We
must again send millions of mer
abroad to fight on foreign soil"
Still another statement was issued
by Representative Rankin, Demo.
crat, Of Mississippi. He said that
''if we are going to move into Greece
in order to check the spread oi
Communism throughout the world
we had better be sure that thes.
subversive elements are driven from
every department Of the UNITED
StatacA Cava~~,,a>nk