U.S. AID BILL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25440, 11 March 1948, Page 7

U.S. AID BILL

Steps To Hasten Passage SPUR GIVEN BY SOVIET POLICY

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 9. . a . background of open talk of possible ttrifr With Russia, Seriate and House leaders ttt-driy decided to hasten the pgsSrige of the European Recovery Bill, now before the Seriate. The Senate will riieet Oh Saturday, and it riiay hold hight sessions on Thursday and Friday. It is only in exceptional circumstances that the Senate cohvehes at Week-ends of nights. House leaders are alsb trying tb Arid way§ to Overcome delays. The Senate, which ig how ih the second Week, March batb ’ liians t 0 votc TT?, n Senate floor to-day, Senator (Democrat, Alabama) declared: The world is being pushed toward war by a gigantic conspiracy—dictated from the Soviet—against Order, security, arid freedom for mahkihd.” The Secretary of Commerce (Mr Averill Harriman) told the Senate Finance Committee: “Delay over European aid is causing serious repercussions. Time is running agairist tis.” The Secretary of Defence (Mr James Forrestal) and his three secretaries for Army, Navy and Air told a closed meeting of the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Americah military authorities in Germany had abandoned their belief that the world was relatively safe from war for at least 10 years.

Reporting this, the Washington correspondent of the United Press adds that they are said to have painted a grim picture of heightened pressure in Europe, and to have cited disturbing figures on Russian submarine strength. Their testimony spurred the committee to call immediate open hearings on the Universal Military Training Bill.

Senator Glen Taylor (Idaho), a for mOr Democrat and now a candidgt for the Vice-Presidency as a supports of Mr Henry Wallace, alleged in th< Senate that the Marshall Plan was ai attempt to line up allies for a wa: with Russia.

Senator Taylor, attacking the European recovery programing, declared: “This piece of legislation is vicious, because it makes infinitely more remote the possibility of reversing th? present trend toward war. I think it stupid because I do not believe it will buy the friendship of Western European nations. . I believe that all help should be channelled through the United Nations.”