WORLD MAY BE AT TURNING POINT IN HISTORY

Evening Star, Issue 26136, 25 June 1947, Page 5

WORLD MAY BE AT TURNING POINT IN HISTORY

(N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent.) (Rec. 1 1 a.m.) LONDON, June 24. With Russian acceptance of the invitation to meet Britain and France, to discuss the plan whereby Europe ran accept the American offer of economic aid, there has been a noticeable slackening of the tension discernible last week. This was due to the uneasiness lest Russia might refuse, and the possible consequences of such refusal. Russia’s unusually prompt reply on her willingness to begin discussions this week has drawn almost an audible sigh of relief, for, though the whole tone of House of Commons Opinion was that the discussions should proceed with dr Without Russian acceptance, the idea of continuing without her,was not relished. “ Extremely satisfactory/’ “ Genuine approval,” are typical comments made on the Russian decision, and it is remarked that if the Soviet offer of co-operation, which has been made without conditions, is sustained in the spirit with which it had been initiated, the world may now be at the turning point in history.

The chief reservations are now concerned : more, with the American attitude than Russian, for it is recognised that a most difficult task faces President, Tninian and Mr Marshall In 'persuading Congress and American public opinion to back their offer. The editor of the London * News Chronicle,’ Mr Gerald Barry, who has just- returned from a tour of the United States, said when a British visitor disctisses international politics with the average American he cannot but be struck by the contrast between what Mr Marshall is saying and what the American Press and public are saying. While Mr Marshall is Bolding out offers of help to Russia, the American Press and politicians are Busy denouncing the Soviet in _ £he most robust and uncompromising terms. “ It will certainly be no sinecure for Mr Marshall to sell his . plan to his compatriots,” comments Mr Barry. “ Between what he intends and what many of them are thinking there is still glaring disparity.” Nevertheless, Mr Barry considers that in many respects American publio opinion is ahead Of reactionary Con-

Speed Regarded As Essential

Speed is regarded as essential if the first instalment of American aid is to reach Eufope in time to meet the difficulties of next winter. This is only possible if there is a fairly prompt announcement of a joint statement that the Marshall proposals are. accepted and that a European organisation is being established. This Will then allow Mr Marshall to press on with his part of the plan. Already President Truman has appointed three committees to consider the problem of aid to Europe from the economic point of view. • Britain'is particularly interested in securing quick results, for in recent weeks the Government has been discussing cuts in dollar trading. These talks, it is reported, are being delayed until the results of the Paris conference are known.

Russian Delegates Arrive

The advance party of Russian deTfr: gates who will attend the Three-Power talks on Mr Marshall’s plan- on June 2 1 arrived in two planes to-day. Reuter’s Washington correspondent reports that the polish Government officially notified the United States that it is willing to join the other European countries in working out the economic plan suggested by Mr Mar-

gress, and that, given a statesmanlike lead, it is capable of a surprising change of front. POLITICAL DANGERS. Another fear is that Russian love of procedure may prove a stumbling block, and since the problem of Germany and her economic revival must form part of the discussions, there is also the risk that political dangers may crop up. Mr Bevin, of course, has _ already stated that his guiding principle will be speed, and that he won’t be a party to holding up the recovery of Europe by long-drawn-out arguments about procedure or terms of reference. Thera Is hope, however; that the promptitude of the Russian reply indicates that the Soviet has also realised the necessity for speed. In this respect, reports that M. Stalin recently had several interviews with M. Majsky, former (Russian Ambassador in Britain, have been read with interest in London, as M. Maisky has a good understanding of the (British point of view and is reported to have his own ideas about co-operation with the West.

It is regarded as fortunate that Mr Clayton, the United States Undersecretary of Economic Affairs, is now in London and in touch with Mr Bevin. He is expected to be in Paris as an adviser during the talks. BRITAIN’S TEAM. It is expected that Mr Bevin will leave London oil Thursday afternoon, taking with him the same team of officials which accompanied him last week. They will include Sir Edmund HallPatch, head of the economic affairssection of the Foreign Office, and executives of the Treasury, Ministries of Food, Fuel, and Board of Trade, Compared with a week ago, there Is now a more hopeful feeling about the international outlook and the economic recovery of Europe. There is hope that the various dangers can be averted.

shall. Poland also informed Britain, France, and Russia of this decision. In the debate on tile Government’s austerity policy the Communist leader', M. Duc'los, referring indirectly to* the meeting of the Foreign Ministers oil June 27, warned France of accepting foreign aid “with strings attached.” He declared that France could not be reconstructed on a policy inspired by anti-Comnnuiists