Evening star., 1951-02-14
Traveller Free to Go Anywhere
In Nation That Defies KremIin

tween other nations (including
Russia) and themselves has al
ready had disturbing results
throughout the Soviet Union.
Continued and successful obser-
vation of that principle by Yugo-
slavia may. gradually, tear Soviet
Russia apart.
Apparently these facts are not
well known in America-because,
last October, when Yugoslav AM
bassador Vladimir Popovic con-
ferred with Secretary of State
Acheson regarding food to relieve
impending famine in Yugoslavia,
loud opposition developed both in
and outside Congress.
In some quarters it was charged
that the cry of famine" was a
ruse by which Tito hoped to get
supplies solely for his army.
I went over to the YugoSlav
Embassy in Washington and
asked Ambassador Popovic for an
exact statement Of the food situa-
ton In Yugoslavia as of that day.
Outlined Situation.
In an hours talk he outlined
the situation thus:
Yugoslavia has an area Of 95.-
600 square miles (about the size
of our State Of Oregon, Of
which two-thirds Is very noun
famous. the balance level plain
cut by broad. winding rivers.
OF the country's 16 million pop
ulation, about as million live in
these mountains-miners, small
farmers, peasants.
The great drouth had not only
destroyed all field and garden
crops. but farmers and peasants
were then finishing consumption
of the grain held back to plant
for the 1851 harvest. Acute famine
confronted the whole country.
Moreover, heavy SHOWS made
mountain roads impossible about
the middel Of December. II suf-
ficient food to last the winter did
not reach the mountaineers by
that date. it could not be taken
up later. There would be mass
starvation.
Plainly this was a situation to
be investigated thoroughly and
reported to the world. asked
Popovic whether the embassy
would visa passports for myself
and photographer from the De-
troit News to travel any place
we pleased In Yugoslavia. He as
sented.
Worked Out Basis Of Operation.
Together we worked out a basis
OF operations. The Detroit News
would pay the cost of every detail
Of the trip except the use of an
automobile. a driver and an in
terpreter. The Yugoslav govern
ment would supply these without
cost.
was to be allowed to 60 any
where I wished and approach and
talk with whomever I pleased, and,
so long as he avoided sites Of mill
tary Importance. the Detroit News
photographer could make pictures
Of any place he pleased.
Ten days later-following q
series Of Observation-Disclosures D.
Stroecker, the photographer, and
I had our passports and in a half
hours time the Yugoslav Embassy
visaed them Ito. go anywhere
within the boundaries Of Yugo-
slavia until December 81, 1880"
There's but one thing the am
bassador asks" said DR.. Mirkc
Bruner. first secretary Of the
embassy, as I left.
Asked to Report Facts.
1--WE have nothing to hide. Re-
port the truth as you find it.
But Please the ambassador
asks. "in reporting the facts as
you find them. kindly consider all
that Yugoslavia and its people
have been through In the last
several years."
promised to consider all facts
bearing on the present situation.
Stroecker and had to wait six
days before we could get a plane
direct to Belgrade. spent the
time mostly in research to find
the answer to the ambassadors
final request.