Evening star., 1948-12-23
Greece
Continued From First Page.)

a disproportionate share of the
anti Communist program.
The report enumerates in detail
the many inadequacies OF the So
phoulis- -Tsaldaris government.
The regime is accused OF practic-
ally continuous baking at reform
measures proposed by the American
mission. of engaging in partisan and
personal politics to the detriment OF
the common good. and of being in
terested primarily in trying to
wangle more funds and other aid
from the United States.
Government Not Up to Job.
The administrative machinery of
the Greek government is simply not
up to the job" the report declares.
Moreover, there is no hope what
soever of establishing q more effec-
tive government from the parties
now represented in the Greek Par
lament. We have now run through
virtually all of the leading politi-
clans who, once in ONCE, have diff
fered solely in the skill of their re-
spectiye arguments for additional
American assistance. Within the
framework Of the present Parlia-
ment, there can be found no prefer
able substitute for the present gov
ernment. The government knows
that and plays its cards accordingly "
But even q reorganization OF the
government along the lines recon-
mended will not be sufficient. the
report warns. unless it is accom-
panied by a more friendly attitude
by the Greek press. This attitude,
the report declares, can be summed
up as having Ito date succeeded IN
presenting the United States as
Uncle Shylock.''
The Greek press has conducted
this malicious campaign, the report
points out, despite many economic
advantages and favors.
End of Subsidies Asked.
Virtually all OF the Athens news
papers," the report declares. ARE At
the moment receiving substantial
subsidies in the form Of exemptions
from the 100 per cent certificate
charge upon exchange rates for
newsprint, ETC., together with allo-
cations Of newsprint far in excess
of their requirements, for purposes
of resale in the black market"
The report bluntly advises with
drawal of these subsidies and ac-
commodations to bring about a
more favorable presentation" Of the
viewpoint.
The report is very caustic in its
condemnation Of the attitude and
propaganda Of the Greek govern
ment and press that Greece is bear
ing a grossly excessive share Of the
fight against the Communist guer-
rillas and the Economic Recovery
Program. Although the United States
and Britain have spent more than
81 ,000, ,0O0,0 in Greece since 1915,
the report points out, Greek politi-
clans and the press have persistently
stressed the theme that not enough
was being done for Greece.
Consider Burden Excessive.
Thus" the report declares,
Greek troops regard themselves in
effect as underpaid frontier guards
and there Is not the slightest doubt
in the mind of the average Greek
that Greece has been forced to bear
a grossly excessive share Of the bur-
den Of economic recovery and res
toration of internal security"
The report fatty states that no
effective progress can be made in
either the military or economic
field 80 long as the present travesty
upon democratic government in
Athens goes on"
"All attempts to recast present
governmental operations along more
efficient lines" the report asserts,
ito divorce military operations from
political control, or even to threaten
sanctions in the form OF partial
withholding Of civilian supplies as
a means Of compelling reform meas
ures, have been consistently frus-
trated."
Because of these factors, the re-
port holds, a sweeping feorganiza-
ton Of the Greek government along
the emergency lines recommended
is urgently necessary.
(Copyrisht. 194s)