Evening star., 1949-09-08
By Gornett D. Horner

By Gornett D. Horner
Cooperative action to enable
Great Britain to sell more of her
products in American markets
emerged today as a major British
aim in three-power talks here on
her dollar-shortage crisis.
The conference got down to
work on specific problems today
after British, Canadian and Amer
lean spokesmen outlined the basic
position of their delegations at
opening sessions Yesterday.
British Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer Sir Stafford Cripps called
for steps by the United States
and Canada Ito enlarge our op-
portunities of earning" dollars.
Snyder Pledges Consideration.
Canadian Finance Minister
Douglas C. Abbott emphasized
that basic adjustments" in
American as we'll as British and
Canadian economic policies are
required to correct the serious
unbalance" in world trade under
lying Britain's critical shortage
of dollars.
Secretary Of the Treasury
Snyder promised sympathetic
consideration" to all suggestions,
and said the United States is pre-
pared Ito take such cooperative
steps as would appear to be ap-
propriate within the framework of
our existing economic policies"
Both Mr.. Snyder and Sir Staf-
ford made it clear that additional
direct American financial assist
ance to Britain in the form of
loans or an expanded European
Recovery Program is not being
considered.
Mr.. Snyder said adjustments
must be made in the light of "the
diminishing rate OF American
financial assistance" under ERP.
Not Seeking Charitable Aid"
Sir Stafford said he wanted to
make it "very plain that we are
not here to ask for charitable aid
or for any special direct assist
ance beyond that which is already
contemplated under the Marshall |
Plan," but added the hope this
would continue until the middle
Of 1852 as originally planned.
The British spokesman empha-
sized that what must be consid- !
cred now sis some readjustments
in our economies which can pre-
vent recurrent crises and which |
can be regarded as steps toward
permanent solution rather than
as temporary expedients.
He said Britain was determined
to do everything it could to cut
costs and increase production to
promote the sale of British goods
in the right markets" to earn
the dollars needed to pay for the
imports she wants to buy.
But the bringing of our earn
ings to high level does not de-
pend on ourselves alone" he as
serted. ut depends also on the
opportunities which are offered to
us by the trading systems of
other countries. We recognize
that there is a wide gap to be
bridged, and we hope that the
bridge can be built from both
sides at the same time"
He did not specify exactly what
he had in mind in appealing for
whatever steps are possible" by
the United States. and Canada to
enlarge Britain's opportunities of
earning dollars.
Presumably he had in mind
drastic tariff reductions and a
long range step to encourage sale
of more British products in this
country.
Mr.. Abbott mentioned American
tariff policy specifically in dis
cussing needed adjustments" to
what he called "the new situation
in world affairs" after two World
Wars.
"The United States" said the
Canadian spokesman, now finds
itself in a position of leadership
in world economic and financial
affairs. The United States is
virtually the sole creditor country
in the world, virtually the only
country of any size which has al
most complete freedom of action
In the field of international eco
nomic policy.
1T is clear that the adjust
ments to this new position must
take time and that, just as the
(Sco pRTTATN paOa A-2)