Evening star., 1950-02-26
Sees Help to Turkey
As Good Investment
Writer Believes She Intends
To Resist Russians Again
Rv Frank p Kent

When one reflects upon what Russia
has done to the United States since the
war ended, what she threatens to do to
us and the world and on all she has cost
us. it is not surprising that the average
American should be reSentful and indig-
nant not only toward the Soviet leaders
but toward all those men in this country
who have extolled and admired them
helped. either openly or covertly, play
their ruthless and unprincipled game.
When the shooting stopped five years
ago we were trustful and naive We firmly
believed that, supported by the depend
able British. whose goal is the same as
our own, and with the cordial CO.
operation of our great new ally, Russia,
we could realize the dream of all
men of good will and really insure per-
manent international peace. outlawing
the atomic bomb and relieving civiliza-
tion of the menace that threatened it's
very existence. THAT was what we
thought. It took the Soviet leaders just
a few months to diSsipate that dream.
Inside of year they had made it clear
that their purpose was not to make the
United Nations function but to reduce it
to futility. In that, 1T can hardly be de-
MED, they have succeeded.
The appalling number of billions which,
under the Marshall Plan and in other
ways, we have poured into Europe is an
enormous burden to the American tax
payer and severe strain on the national
economy. Already laden with an un-
dreamed of debt and with deficit this
year of more than IS billion, this heavy
European drain is bound to enfeeble us
financially which is recognized as
Soviet objective. Yet, we have no choice.
Nevertheless, we have every right to
expect those on the receiving line not to
waste our money, to spend it with discre-
ton, to get results. Some waste, OF
course, is inevitable, but the charge Of
Mr.. Churchill that in Britain there is
great waste and similar reports from
other places are disturbing. Rigid
economy at home is essential and there
is no excuse for failure to enforce it.
But waste abroad can nullify all domestic
economies and Is indefensible and en-
feebling We can no more afford not to
have the first than we can afford to have
the second All of which makes it en-
couraging to hear from men in position
to know that in Turkey American dollars
(Turkey has had about 5000 million to
date) are being effectively and econom-
ically spent with exceedingly gratifying
results both from the fiscal and the
military standpoint.
+
Among the things which Turkey has
done with our money, besides economi-
cally buttressing ner democratic govern
80, -, l,,,ilI fy,a
fense army, highly trained and superbly
equipped. If and when war comes. OBJ
servers say Turkey can be depended
upon to give good account OF herself.
The Turks have no notion that single
handedly they could long resist the full
power of the Soviet Republic, but, bar
ring hydrogen bomb, they are firmly
convinced they can resist long enough
to give sufficient time for other nations.
particularly ourselves. to come to Tur-
keys aid. In brief, she feels that the
expected attack on her will be the start
of the third world war. She is quite
confident she will not be fighting alone.
The feeling Of the Turks on this SUBJ
ject is worth consideration when it is
recalled that they have been at war
against the Russians IL times since
the days of Peter the Great. Standing
between the Black and the Mediterra-
mean Seas an independent Turkey blocks
the path Of Russia to warm water. The
antagonism is deep and incurable. Ac.
cording to those in best position to know.
there are two things concerning which
the Turkish mind is crystal clear. One
is that war again with Russia is inevi-
table. Soon or late they are certain they
will once more be the Soviet target. The
other is that at no time, in no place and
under no conditions have the Rus
slams ever told the truth. They do
not quite understand why, with our own
experience of the last five years, we still
continue to place even the slightest
credence in anything they say. It must
be admitted they make out pretty con-
yincing case to sustain their view.
Mistakes