Evening star., 1948-03-11
Truman Asks SIS Million More
To Tide Over Western Europe
Until ERP Is Placed in Effect
6. O. P. Group in
House Studies
Broader Scope

Congress for an additional $55,-
100000 to help tide Western Eu-
rope over until the European
Recovery Program is enacted.
Congress voted $4,000 900 tenn
porary aid last fall, including $l8,-
100000 for China
It was expected then that this
money would last until the Mar
shall Plan was passed.
But in letter to Speaker Martin
today, President Truman said:
Events which have taken place
in Europe during recent weeks do
not permit us with safety or pru-
dence to risk break in the supply
flow at this moment. l therefore
hope that Congress will find it pos
sible to make> available the needed
funds before April L.
Broader Aid Plan Studied.
The Presidents request came as
Republican members of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee held a
private huddle on foreign aid at
the Capitol. 1t was disclosed after
ward that one of four possible moves
considered was new and broader
offer of American aid, both military
and economic. to check communism
wherever our interests require it.
No decision had been reached
when the group recessed at noon
until 2 pm, Representative Vorys
Of Ohio said.
Mr.. Truman said the new money
is needed to permit the continued
placement of contracts for essential
supplies for a brief additional in
terim period"
"The appropriation proposed will
provide only for very short period
and extreme urgency remains for
the earliest possible authorization of
the European Recovery Program it
self" the President added.
Fears Gap in Program.
Without the additional $55 900 900,
Mr.. Truman said, There now is
grave danger that a break in the
supply pipeline will occur" between
the end of interim aid and the start
of the European Recovery Program.
If the broad new method consid-
cred by House Republicans today
should be adopted. it would consti-
tute more far-reaching recogni-
tion than has heretofore been pro-
posed of the fact that the aid being
given to Western Europe, Greece,
Turkey and China is all part of the
same problem, the checking of Com
munist expansion.
Speed Sought in Senate.
AS Senate leaders looked forward
to passage of the European Recov-
cry Program separately by the end
of this week, the House Republicans
met, Mr.. Vorys said, to decide how
to speed action" on the subject.
The basic issue before them. he
said, is whether to break foreign aid
into various segments, or to put 1t
all together.
During two hours OF closed dis
cussion, he said these four possibili-
ties were debated:
!. Pass the European recovery bill
by itself, as the Senate plans to do
This bill is confined to economic aid
over four years, with S. 300 ,000,0 ,00O
the first year.
2. Combine economic aid fol
Western Europe and China in one
bill.
3. Combine economic aid fol
Western Europe and China, with
further military assistance fol
Greece and Turkey.
4. Draft an all-inclusive bill en-
bracing both economic and military
aid wherever our interests require.
May Decide Course Today.
Mr. Vorys explained that the last
point would mean military aid for
China as we'll as Greece and Tur-
key, "or any other place where our
interests are similarly involved"
Since the Republicans are in the
majority in Congress, the overall
course of action they decide on,
(See FOREIGN AID, Page A-5.)