SOVIET ACTIONS IN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25447, 19 March 1948, Page 7

SOVIET ACTIONS IN EUROPE

“But that is not all. Since the close ef hostilities the Soviet Union and its agents have destroyed the independence and democratic character of a whole series erf nations in Eastern and Centra Europe. It is this ruthless course of action and a clear design to extend it to the remaining free nations of Europe that have brought about the critical situation in Europe to-day. “The tragic death of the Czechoslovak Republic has sent a shock throughout the civilised world. Now, pressure is being brought to bear on inland to the hazard of the entire Scandinavian Peninsula. Greece is under direct military attack by rebels actively supported by her Communistdominated neighbours. In Italy a determined. aggressive effort is being made bya Communist minority to take eoatrol. ‘The methods vary, but the pattern k all too clear. “Faced with this growing menace, there have been encouraging signs that the free nations of Europe are drawing closer together for their economic welling and for the common defence of j their liberties. “The United States has stronglysup-

ported the efforts of the 16 nations of Western Europe to repair the devastation of war and restore a sound world economy. In presenting this programme to Congress in December, I emphasised the necessity for speedy action ' “Every event in Europe since that day has underlined the great urgency for th§ prompt adoption of this measure.

“The Soviet Union and its satellites were invited to co-operate in the European recovery programme. They rejected the invitation. More than that, they have declared their violent hostility to the programme, and are aggressively attempting to wreck it. “They see in it a major obstacle to their designs to subjugate Europe’s free community. They do not want the United States to help Europe Tney do not even want the 16 co-oper-ating countries to help themselves. “While economic recovery in Euroue is essential, measures for economic rehabilitation alohe are not enough. The movement towards economic co-oper-ation has been followed by a movement toward common self-protection in the face of the growing menace to the freedom of the free nations of Europe.