SHOWDOWN INEVITABLE

Evening Star, Issue 25893, 10 September 1946, Page 7

SHOWDOWN INEVITABLE

RUSSIA AND WESTERN POWERS DISPUTE OVER GREECE THE BIG TEST WASHINGTON, September 8. The former Under-Secretary of . State, Mr Sumner Welles, broadcasting, said a crisis between Russia and the Western Powers was inevitable, with the dispute oi/er Greece the most serious issue so far. Americans would now find out whether the crisis would be resolved through statesmanship and the United Nations or whether there would be continuing demonstrations of the contenders’ armed power. The Soviet Government had recently undertaken to browbeat and threaten the Greek people. As long as Greece stood out as a staunch bulwark of Western democracy in the Balkans the Moscow attempt to consolidate Russian control over- the Eastern Mediterranean could not be successfully carried out. Mr Welles criticised the American policy towards Greece os “ short on performance," when open, unflinching, and practical support during the postwar period would have been more likely to safeguard fundamental American interests and accomplish speedy reconstruction and a decent world order.