The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1950-01-05
asARsAALL PLAN IN FUTURE
.- s.s.s-.e-L Ian IN r0ru
Behind The
World News
~ WILLIAM JoLEscH.
Associated Press Writer

Associaied Press Writer
With Congress in session, much
talk viii be heard during the next
few months over extension Of
Marshall Plan aid TO Europe.
The administration wants to
continue 10 support the European
Recovery program with billions
81 dollars. On the other hand,
there are those critics of the plan
who would cut it drastically.
They argue that the European Re-
coveTy program is not fulfilling
rs purpose--that foreign coun-
tries are too dependent on it.
There are others. of course, who
argue just the opposite. At any
rate. let's see what Marshall Plan
funds have done for France.
France Is said to be in very
good economic conditions as she
starts the New Year. In fact, she
Is described as being near the top
81 European nations recovering
from the war. The credit for this
good recovery goes to two years
of Marshall Plan money, two
years OF excellent crops in the
wheatfields and vineyards, and a
steadily improving trade balance
with the rest of the world.
All this has come about in
spite Of internal labor and polite
cal problems. But such a condi-
ton Is traditional in France.
French history shows many ex--
amples Of political insecurity and
economic security existing side
by side.
The Marshall Plan has been
the main impetus to the French
economy. During last year, some
Sl33, 100000 poured into the coun-
Try IN the form of cash and Amer
lean goods. That was the equiva-
lent Of about Sl8 for every man,
woman and child in France.
Frenchmen bought the American
goods for francs and turned their
francs over 10 the French govern
ment for public works.
The Marshall Plan also has
helped France cut down on inn
ports from overseas. That has
been her main problem in balanc-
ing the national books. But now
foreign office experts say France
Is beginning 1850 with her foreign
trade in better condition than il
has been In 30 years. The experts
give the credit TO the Marshall
Plan and greater sales campaign
abroad for French goods.
When the year ended, official
records showed that France was
earning with imports nearly 30
cents for every dollar it was
Spending tor imports. That COM
pares with the last normal pre-
war year when France was earn
ING only So cents for every dollar
4 wus spending on imports.
These figures are for France
alone and do not deal with
COLONIAL trade with French Indo-
China or the African colonies and
prOtectOrates.
All through its history, France
has heen debtor nation in other
woTls, IL balanced its books only
through such things as tourist
trade and through dealings with
It's colonies, protectorates and
inundated territories.
Nay the foreign office explains
that French recovery in interna-
tionak trade has been with ma
tons. Of the organization for
European economic cooperation.
These are the nations participant
ing In the counterpart fund of the
European Recovery program. To
them France now is selling near
~ half the goods that her factor
les, mines. mills, farms and Vine
yards turn out for export. From
them she gets back a quarter of
the total Of imports needed to
feed, clothe and employ her 49,
100000 Frenchmen.
There are serious financial
problems remaining in France.
and they result from trade with
the sterling and dollar areas
France now gets 80 percent of her
imports from the British Sterling
area, and slightly more than that
from the dollar zone. French ex-
ports 10 countries dealing in ster-
ling have been raised enough in
recent months to cover about
half the imports from the same
territory.
The biggest problem is the dol
lar balance. France now earns
only about IS cents in exports to
dollar-p paying countries for every
dollar she has to spend there.
This Is the case despite the fact
that her worldwide balance is SO
cents on the dollar.