Evening star., 1952-03-07
Truman Lists
ST. Billion in
Arms for Allies
Report on Progrom
Issued to Bolster
Foreign Aid Pleu

The ultimate decay Of the So.
Wet slave world" was predicted by
President Truman today. as he
made his third plea in "a hours
for an adequate foreign-aid pro-
gram.
In submitting to Congress the
first report on what the Mutual
Security Program has already ac-
complished, Mr.. Truman warned
against that the free world can
not rearm adequately without
continued American help.
The report came on the heels
of his radio -television appeal to
the people last night, and his mes
sage to Congress yesterday, sub
mitting the $7.9 billion estimate
for foreign aid in 1858.
Despite the Presidents urgent
words, talk of cutting next years
figure went on in Congress today.
Aid Report Released.
The mutual security report re-
leased today shows that up to
December 81 United States mill
tary aid to the North Atlantic
area included $1.2 billion of equip
ment weighing IA million tons.
This did not include planes and
ships that crossed the Atlantic
under their own power.
The list included: 1910 tanks
and combat vehicles, 29,875 motor
transport vehicles, $3.50 radios
and radar, 10,888 artillery pieces.
3l6 naval vessels, 365 Navy air.
craft, 952 Air Force aircraft and
670,308 small arms and machine
guns with 240 million rounds Of
ammunition. It also showed ship
ments to the Near East and Far
East.
The President told Congress to-
day that "The ultimate decision
between free world and slave world
lies in the balance. :"
"F'or the nations of Western Eu-
rope. the year 1852 may well be
the critical time in the defense
buildup, bridging the period be-
tween extreme vulnerability and
effective preparedness"
New Needs Itemized.
Today's report went far beyond
his message to Congress and the
address to the Nation in support
ing arguments for the Mutual Se-
curity Program. the official name
for the combined foreign military
and economic aid programs.
The President outlined the
things already accomplished in the
joint rearnament drive touched
of by the outbreak of the Korean
war as well as itemizing how new
funds will be spent and what can
be expected.
But even administration sup
porters conceded the program
faces a tough time in this elec-
tion-year Congress.
The President said "neutralism," !"
which he defined as "the ostrich
like disposition to ignore the
reality of the Soviet threat" has
steadily declined as confidence in
the free worlds defense has grown.
He said mot one nation has
turned from the path of co-opera-
ton" and that this country's
Atlantic allies in Europe. includ-
ing Greece and Turkey, have in.
creased their standing armies in
the past two years by more than
half a million men. The quality
Of the troops, he said, has also
Says Reds Power Declines.
The President said the power
of communism in Western Euro
pean countries has declined. It
remains a threat in France and
italy, although its power has been
very substantially reduced" in
those countries during the past
i've years.
The danger Of runaway infla-
lion in Europe has been brought
under control, he said.
Mr.. Truman renewed his appeal
'or continued American support of
efforts to increase the living
of underdeveloped
peoples in the Near East and
Africa as the best means of gain