MARSHALL PLAN CONFERENCE BEGINS TO-DAY

Evening Star, Issue 26138, 27 June 1947, Page 5

MARSHALL PLAN CONFERENCE BEGINS TO-DAY

(Rec. 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 26. Mr Bevin goes to the Paris conference to-morrow with some advantage over M. Bidault and M. Molotov, says Reuter’s diplomatic correspondent. He has had long discussions during the week with the United States Under-Secre-tary, Mr William Clayton, and as a result more fully understands Washington’s viewpoint. Mr Bevin has completed preparations Tor his Paris visit, and will go with, a strong staff of experts and a comprehensive background of ideas gained from the talks with Mr Clayton, Mr Attlee, Sir Stafford Cripps, and Mr Dalton. M. Molotov arrived at Paris today with a full staff of leading Russian economic and foreign affairs experts. The Russian party includes 18 advisers, 17 secretaries, 56 assistants, and a special correspondent for ‘ Pravda.’ M. Molotov’s arrival at Paris was a secret. Reporters were not at the airport w'hen he arrived, and have been turned away from the Russian Embassy with a statement that no announcements may be oxpected. Other European countries have expressed great interest in the talks, and representatives may be invited to consult with the Big Three.

RUSSIAN PAPER TAKES PESSIMISTIC VIEW OF PLAN

MOSCOW, June 25. ‘ Pravda,’ commenting on the Marshall plan, says that if the authors of the plan follow the advice of American reactionaries and offer Europe conditions on the Turkish-Greek model, the failure of the plan is a foregone conclusion. Such assistance would mean interference in the domestic affairs of European countries. No doubt Mr Marshall's offer is made necessary by the economic situation in the United States. The general opinion is that the post-war boom in the United States is nearing its end, apd that the threat of an acute economic crisis is growing more intense. ‘ Pravda ’ adds that ruling circles in the United States are trying to solve the problem by expanding American exports.

SOVIET CONDITIONS OUTLINED

(Rec. 9 a.m.) PARIS, June 26. M. Molotov, at the conference on the Marshall plan for aid to Europe, is expected to insist, first, that European countries must themselves decide the kind of help they want; secondly, that there must be no ipolitical conditions attached to American aid ; thirdly, that the work must be done through Economic Commission for Europe. M Molotov is also expected to press for Turkey and Greece being brought into the Marshall plan instead of figuring in the independent “Truman plan.”