The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1948-07-23

measure to build western European bloc
which will fight and die to protect the in
! terests of American imperialism
AS originally enunciated last summer by
! General Marshall, the proposal had all the
earmarks of one which could do much to
bring about a sound rehabilitation of Europe
and resultantly, build good will and the pres
tige of America to an hitherto undreamed of
peacetime high. In Marshall's original state
ment brief though it was there appeared a
genuine hope that there was a chance that
future American policy on European rehabil-
itation would be one of ''no strings attached"
But, in the months intervening before being
placed on the statute books, powerful finan-
cial interests were given broad hand in
drafting the Marshall proposal into legisla-
tive form. The result, as to be expected, is
that ERP in its true light is actually Euro
pean Exploitation Program"
To the French "benefciares" of European aid, be-
of certain enabling clauses, ERP for all practical
purposes will reduction of the automobile, engine
and machine tool industries bare skeleton of their
former capacities These industries before the war
and in the three post years have been the indus
trial backbone of France; have provided employment
ratio comparable to that of similar industries in
America Acceptance of ERP carries with provisions
that French import duties the products that
trys heavy industry must be cut so to so per cent.
Because of the higher productivity of American indus
try untouched by the ravages of war; French indus
tries cannot compete in the French world markets
with the Americans. In word, this that ERP,
instead of helping France recover will start off
increasing unemployment SPIRAL general weakening
of governmental and private financial strength and
thus prove longtime damper sound rehabilitation
and recovery of France
So the acceptance conditions surround
ing ERP approved by congress and administered
by the Truman bureaucracy that "Pertinax', famous
conservative French commentator recently wrote in
France Soir 6. The Washington governments
demands go much further than the American
congress voted This type of aid and assistance is
fundamentally unhealthy We must do our utmost to
pull out of it possible"
The French Confederation of Labor, discerning the
imperialisc mailed fist behind the barrage flowery
words praising ERP, has recently denounced the pro-
posal as means of . turning France into a
and industrial interests
Similarly in Britain
France isn't the only European country which has
found acceptance of ERP aid extremely difficult
Similar realization of the Strings" attached accept
ance have caused much CONSERVATION in all sectors
of British political thought
Although parliament accepted the ERP treaty by an
overwhelming vote did in gloomy realization of
what EFaP to the sound economic life of Britain
The ECONOMIST, London business magazine la
mented: "The conditions to many Europeans
to be wholly impossible, preposterousy unreaistc
that they cannot be seriously except
ons of malice out of a desire to profit by others
seeking, through treaty provisions, destroy
Britains foreign trade. BY taking Marshall aid
clared, Britain cast away the matchess impulse to
recovery which flows from self reliance"
The MANCHESTER GUARDIAN, making the best
of bad bargain said there was doubt that we will
get plenty of American advice" 1t drew consolation
only from the fact that the u S. promised give six
months notice before terminating aid should too
such advice" be ignored The LONDON TIMES de-
clared that the treaty had to be accepted if only
cause condition overridingly obnoxious
Britain could afford to "forgo aid in order be rid
Of it."
British Foreign Secretary Ernest Bevin pledged like
any poor relief client to Marshall funds wisely
and mot to have nights debauch with them" Actual
y it's long time since British labor has had nights
lebauch" of any kind. What Bevin told them July
vas 1--WE going with notwithstanding little
II improvement in living standards, wages
ng. One reason, Incidentally is that Britain is
,ected to spend lot of Marshall money on arms.
And, In Austria
AS in France and Britain in Austria too the reali-
al is fast