Evening star., 1948-03-01
FOREIGN Aid
From First Page.

to the rims of the Atlantic by ag-
gression or default"
at have already expressed my COM
plete respect for the honest opinions
of citizens who disagree. I simply
point out that while every
critic is not a Communist, every
Communist is critic and the orders
from the Kremlin are to wreck this
enterprise"
War Cost Bill Cited.
Senator Vandenberg pointed out
that, even if the plan costs $17,OO0.-
100000 in four years, it would still be
only one-third of the amount the
Senate approved in one wartime
appropriation bill, In five minutes
and without roll call, during the
summer of 1914.
He reminded his colleagues of the
testimony of Army and Navy off,
cials that, If Western Europe is not
to be stabilized, they would feel i'm
PEELED to ask for billions more for
the defense of this country.
Pointing out that we are demand
ing continuity Of performance by
the cooperating nations, Senator
Vandenberg said fair play will re-
uuire continuity of the aid during
the four years. Without continuity,
he added, this will become "just
one more stopgap-one more rat
hole operation"
Between now and March Is the
Senate is expected to discuss every
detail of the program before passing
it along to the House, where present
indications are that further aid to
China, Greece and Turkey in their
struggles against communism may
all be wrapped together in this
European bill. The Senate Foreign
Relations Committee has set March
10 for separate consideration of the
China and Greek Turkish situations.
Choice Declared Necessary.
"It would be q far happier cir
cumstance If we could close our
eyes to reality, comfortably retire
within our bastionS and dream OF
an isolated and prosperous peace"
Senator Vandenberg began. But
that which was once our luxury
would now become our folly. This
is too plain to be persuasively de-
MED in q foreshortened, atomic
world. We must take things as they
are
"The greatest Nation on earth
either justifies or surrenders It's
leadership. We must chose. There
are no blueprints to guarantee re-
suits. We are entirely surrounded
by calculated risks. profoundly
believe that the pending program
is the best of these risks.
Il have no quarrel with those
who disagree because we are deal
ing with imponderables. But I am
bound to say to those who disagree
that they have not escaped to safety
by rejecting or subverting this plan.
They have simply fed to other
risks, and I fear far greater ones.
I can only say that I prefer my
choice of responsibilities.
Peace and Stability Sought.
"This legislation seeks peace and
stability for free men in a free
world. 1t seeks them by economic
rather than by military means. II
proposes to help our friends to help
themselves in the pursuit OF sound
and successful liberty in the demo-
cratic pattern. The quest can mean
as much to us as it does to them.
It aims to preserve the victory
against aggression and dictatorship
which we thought we won in World
war II. 1t strives to help stop
world War III before it starts. It
Aohts the economic chaos which
would precipitate far-flung dis
integration. 1t sustains western
civilization. 1t means to take West
ern Europe completely off the
American dole at the end of the
"It recognizes the grim truth
r,bether we like it or not-that
American self interest," national
eaononov and national security are
inseparably linked with these objec-
senator Vandenberg reminded his
colleagues that the l6 cooperating
u..ions showed their good faith by
getting together at Paris last year
fo draw up the plan for helping
themselves and each otner. ne
pointed out that they VIII an en.es I
into a multilateral agreement, anu
each will make bilaterai agreement
with the United States, settiIls , loiSi
tha Grants and loans will be put.
'iie Aid Would Stop II Desired.
ua made 1t clear that American
aid v will stop il changed conditions"
sn IN anv country make its continuance
INCONSISTENT with the national In
terests of the United States.
The Michigan Republican re-
eoIIed that the 16 nations contain
a7o.ooo 900 people "of the stock !.
which has largely made America. :.