Evening star., 1950-01-05
West European Press
Halls Truman Stand,
But Sees Asia Ignored
BY fhe Assoeioied Press

~ "S HssoSt1ted FEeSt
LONDON. Jan. 5.-The press of
Western Europe expressed pleas
ure today at President Truman's
promise of continued American
aid to the worlds democracies,
but some papers asked:
What is America going to do
about China?
British newspapers in particular
were concerned at the American
Presidents failure to answer that
question in his State of the Nation
address to Congress yesterday.
Britain is expected to recognize
the Communist government in
China this week end.
The Liberal News Chronicle
said Mr.. Trurnan's failure to
clarity the attitude of the United
States on China was the "one
major omission" in his statement
Of foreign policy.
Far East Seen Important.
The independent London Times
said the President "had no time
yesterday to do more than merely
glance at Asia and the East" and
added:
"Yet the future of the free
world may depend upon the abil-
ity of the Western countries to
find ways and means, SO far
scarcely considered, Of raising
the output and living standards
of Asiatic and Eastern peoples
before communism and distorted
nationalism turn them onto a
servile course"
The Liberal Manchester Guard
ian, however. praised Mr.. Truman
for wisely" skirting the ques-
ton at this time, then added:
But he must know that the
most dangerous ground which lies
before him is the demand of
right-wing Republicans for more
belligerent policy in the Far East,
even II it means Cor possibly be-
cause it would mean cutting
down Of the help so fruitfully
given to Western Europe"
ERP Stand Praised.
Other comment:
The British-licensed Socialist
Telegraf in Berlin: President
Truman has emphatically de-
clared himself in favor Of carrying
out in full the program for social
security and the European Recov-
cry program for European recon-
struction. This declaration was
in sharp contrast, to the isolation
list tendencies of political reaction
In the U. S. A
The conservative Svenska Dag
bladet in Stockholm: "It was good
to learn President Truman will
advocate continuous foreign aid,
In contrast to the many gloomy
reports that drastic cuts may be
expected"
The Liberal Verdens Gang of
Oslo: "It is good to realize s'
the administration has so clearly
expressed its view on international
problems"
The Financial Times. London:
"On this side Of the Atlantic, a
warm welcome will be given to
the Presidents calls for continued
support of the European Recovery
Program and for legislation to in
crease the flow of American tech
nical assistance and capital in
vestment to underdeveloped re-
gions."
Lack Of Precision" Scored.
The Paris pro-Communist Lib
Grafton accused Mr.. Truman of
failing to get to the core of
matters" and claimed the Presi-
dents "lack of precision" on
American policy in the Far East
reflected an uncertainty of the
Government on the China ques-
ton.
Liberation declared:
American Senator's Travelled a !
lot last summer. When they came
back home, they understood the
situation even less than when they
started"
London's Communist Daily
Worker said Mr.. Truman's policy
appeared to be Trust in God and
pile atom bombs"
In Prague, the Czech press and
radio ignored the address