Evening star., 1949-12-26
By BIoir Moody

The United States must take a
stronger hand in Europe.
In the next two years, we must
discreetly increase our pressures
and require basic. constructive re-
forms, in return for our Marshall
Plan dollars, beyond anything we
have attempted in the past.
Failure to do this with sufficient
perception and vigor may mean
the failure of our whole, vast,
costly undertaking for world peace
and stability. Any other course
almost certainly will confront us
in 1852 with the choice Of con-
tinuing to subsidize a dry-rotted
system, or-with Communists en-
quilting the continent-letting it
collapse as 1t would have had the
Marshall Plan never been started
The whole pattern Of a future
world in which Europe must be
an integral part-whether Com
munism or freedom finally wins
the cold war-may depend on
whether we find the way to insist
without seeming to be offensive.
Europe has made a remarkable
recovery from the shock and
shambles of war. but it is not
yet doing the things that must be
done to stand on its own feet.
Unless we insist. 1t will not do
them.
Not Now Capable Of Self Support.
In two years. Of course, Europe
cannot possibly turn . feudal
structure-shot throughout by an
tique customs, national boundaries
and special interest~into q mod
ell, modern social economy. But it
can do much. At least, it can
set q new trend of policy and
thinking from which, once UNDER
stood and undertaken. there would
not likely be a turning back.
The cold fact is that Western
Europe, as it is now organized. is
not capable of supporting itself
without American aid. If it is
ever to become capable of self
support, nov is the time it had
better begin making changes.
The United States must take
the lead or wake up one day to
find it has spent billions, and the
free world is still in a mess. which
is precisely what the Communists
are counting on.
European statesmen worried by
the thrend will welcome-privately
at least-a stronger use of Amer
ican influence. Two high French
officials told the writer in Paris
that the United States must force
Britain to form, with France. a
duet strong enough to provide
constructive leadership within
Europe itself. If they don't, say
the French, the Germans will.
German Revival Blocked.
Another Frenchman said he
thought France had saved the
United States bacon by blocking
the impulse for hell-bent revival
of German power, spurred by Wall
Street interests, but added: when
it comes to a wise, moderate Ger
man program you must at least
seem to force us. That will make
it possible for us to explain to
the French people"
An Italian official in Rome said !:
"Our country's future depends on
other countries adopting the
American program. They won't do
it unless they are forced. So long
as you are feeding them, you can
force them. For heaven sakes. in
their own interest, do it.
One Of the most prominent ci-
villains in Spain, who does not like
Franco but supports him because
he fears the alternative would be
worse, pleaded that the United
States make" the Caudillo under
take reforms necessary to bring
American credit and stave of eco
nomic collapse.
Paul G. Hoffman, the Marshall
Plan manager, is moving as rap
idly as he feels he can. But the
fight for fundamental change is
just starting. The favorable pro-
duction record of Europe since
the war is deceptive because it is
grounded in the artificial stimu-
liant of donated American goods
and materials. When the stimu-
lants are removed, then what?
Still Cartel
Europe is still cartel-minded.
John j. McCloy, when he took
over as American High Commis-
sioner in Germany, found +httls
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IA