Evening star., 1950-06-14
Socialists in France Condemn
British Stand on Schumun Plan
Senators Here ak
About Cutting Off
Dollar Assistance
By the Associated Press


The French Socialist Party to-
day sharply criticized it's brother
socialists in Britain because of
Labor Party opposition to main
proposals now being studied for
economic and political unif1cation
of Europe.
What looked like the British
Labor Party's split personality
with regard to European unity and
the Schuman plan to pool Eu-
ropes coal and steel apparently
has stirred up wasp's nest at
home. on the European continent
and in the United States for the
government of Prime Minister
Atlee.
French criticism followed sug-
gestions yesterday by some United
States Senators that if the Brit
ish insist upon independence from
Europe, then perhaps they could
do with independence from dollar
aid, too.
Reaction among American dip
lomatic authorities indicated about
as much disappointment as ap-
peared in the Senate. But State
Department officials SHE'D away
from any idea of Marshall Plan
pressure or retaliation.
In New York. rowing Ambassa-
dor w. Averell Hartman said the
Schuman plan can be carried out
without England. But, he added,
he still hopes Britain will join in
the plan.
He talked to newsmen before
leaving by plane for Economic Co.
operation Administration head
quarters in Paris.
Senators Critical.
Senate comment, however, made
it clear that the Labor Party pro-
nouncement, even as it was soft
ened in yesterdays government
policy statement by Prime Min
lister Attlee, will put rocks in the
road for Britain's allotment of
foreign aid funds.
The Labor Party said in effect
that Britain's Socialists would not
be willing to go into any such
scheme unless it is dominated by
the Socialist idea of state plan
ming.
Yesterday. Mr.. Attlee said the
proposal by the French Foreign
Minister is "the sketch of a great
idea" but added that Britain can
not give advance approval even in
principle as France has insisted.
Knowland Suggests Aid Cut.
Senator Knowland, Republican,
of California, member of the
Appropriations Committee which
will pass on foreign aid funds, in
cluding those for Britain, made
one of the most direct suggestions
as to the sort of hornets nest the
British have stirred up here.
Perhaps the time has now come
to give British socialism a chance
to demonstrate its ability to func-
ton on its own feet without being
encountered by dollar aid from
free enterprise America" he told
a reporter.
Senator Ferguson. Republican,
of Michigan, also an appropria-
tions committeeman, had much
the same idea.
| Both Senators have been sup
porters of the Marshall Plan.
Promises Contribution.
Meanwhile, Minister of State
Kenneth Younger told the British
Parliament today that Britain in
tends to try to make "a contribu-
ton, if we can, at later date"
toward the Scnuman plan. He re-
fused, however, to give any details.
British Conservative newspapers
said Mr.. Attlee's followers have put
socialism above European until
The Times independently had eau
tious praise for the government S
position but called the party state
ment "blundering and isolation
ist intervention.
j The French Socialist communi-
que indicated annoyance at the
timing of the Labor Party mani
festo-in advance of a weekend
international Socialist meeting in
London. There had been hints that
some members of the French party
favored withdrawing from the
London meeting. but it was finally
decided that the French woulc
participate.
"The Socialist Party" the COM
munique said, would never as
sociate itself with European poll
cy which would be directed against