Evening star., 1951-05-24
Won1en's
Clubs
McGhee Stresses
importance of
Near Eost Area
BY Frances Lide
Women's Club Editor

The countries of the Near East
and South Asia will go along with
the United States if they are con-
vinced that their aspirations can
best be achieved through co-opera-
tion with us, Assistant Secretary of
State George C. McGhee predicted
yesterday before the Political
Study Club.
Mr.. McGhee stressed their feel
ing of insecurity growing out of
the imbalance of power in the
world today. however, and de-
clared: Our program of build
ing up military strength is the
basic thing we can do to give them
confidence and hope"
The Assistant Secretary, who is
in charge of Near Eastern, South
Asian and African Affairs for the
State Department. spoke at the
clubs annual May breakfast held
at the Mayflower Hotel for more
than 400 members and guests.
Emphasizing the Importance of
the Near East and South Asia
to the entire free world, Mr.. Nc
Ghee said that, with the excep-
tion Of Greece. Turkey and Iran,
the nations Of this area have
emerged as new states since World
War II and are still self f-conscious
about their newness. Tradition
ally. he pointed out, they have
been the pawns of the great pow
ers and they know that what hap
pens in the world today will be
decided by the great powers. How
ever, he added, they are deter
mined that they will be the mas
ters of their own destiny.
These countries are concerned
about communism and basically
have supported the system Of col
lective security. although they
haven't always voted the way we
think they should to implement
it, he declared.
Their "neutralism," or tendency
to assume a middle role in the
world struggle. arises from
plague on both your houses at
titude." rather than desire for
appeasement, he continued.
One of the things this country
can do to win their confidence
is to help them realize their keen
desire for a better way of life,
MIR. McGhee suggested. A start
already has been made in this
direction through the Point pro-
gram. he pointed out.
He also stressed the Importance
Of recognizing their sovereignty
and of recognizing them as equals
in the United Nations.
Mrs. Dean Acheson, wife of the
Secretary of State, was honor guest
at the breakfast, while special
guests of the club included Mrs.
Tom c. Clark, Mrs. Oscar L. Chap
man, Mrs. John R. Steelman, Mrs.
Roy H. Parker. wife of the Chief
OF Chaplains of the United States
Army, who gave the invocation;
Mrs. McGhee, wife of the speaker,
and Mrs. Edward Everett Gam.
In addition, there were a number
OF diplomats, members of Congress
and other prominent officials
among the guests invited by club
members.
Mrs. Francis B. Appellee, club
president, presided and the break
fast concluded with the introduce
tion of the president-elect, Mrs.
Benjamin Yancey Martin. Mrs.
Appellee received a Steuben glass
bowl which was presented by Mrs.
B. Turner Hef1in in behalf of the
board in appreciation of her serv-
ices as president during the past
two years.
A musical program was provided
by the Washington Opera Guild
and feature of the day was the
presentation of a club flag of blue
and gold which was the gift of
Mrs. Theophilous j. Morgan, a
past president. The flag was
formally presented by Mrs. Francis
G. Ulen.
Mrs. Hollis lines, program chair
man. introduced the speaker.