American Aid To Europe: Plan Nearly Ready

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 October 1947, Page 7

American Aid To Europe: Plan Nearly Ready

NEW YORK,October 22. Mr Truman,, in a message to the New York Herald-Tribune’s annual forum, said that unless stability was restored in Europe the United States could not know full peace and full security. The United States alone, however, could not rehabilitate Europe. Its efforts would be useful only if they were intended to supplement sincere and effective effort by Europeans to help themselves. “We must be sure, moreover, that what we are undertaking to do is within the limits of our own strength and does not run counter to the health of our own economic life.”

A concrete plan of United States assistance in the reconstruction of Europe was now nearing completion, said the United States Secretary of State (General G. C. Marshall), addressing the forum. “A Marshall Plan”

“There has been constant reference to a Marshall plan,” he added. “The reference to me personally is unfortunate, but the reference to a plan is definitely misleading. There was no plan. There was a suggestion. Now we are in process of drafting a plan as a proposal to Congress. The period of study and preparation is drawing to a close and the time of action is at hand.

“No project of our Government has ever received more careful study and preparation than has this problem of the reconstruction of Europe, and no governmental effort has ever enjoyed such complete co-operation by all agencies concerned. When it is completed it will truly be the programme of the United States Government, not of any one department or agency.” General Marshall added: _ “That Europe’s need of assistance is real and urgent is no longer a matter of argument. It is likewise evident that the United States represents the primary source from which this need can be met. Preserving Europe

“The preservation of European civilisation is vitally important to us. We cannot remain indifferent to the fate of nations who are having great difficulty in recovering from the consequences of the war and are looking to us for assistance. “These are people who hold the same views of international conduct as we do. . If we are to be successful in our quest for peace in a decent world, we will constantly need their strong co-operation.” » The United Press says that the Harriman committee on foreign aid is studying a “little Marshall plan” for the Middle East. If the plan materalises Palestine will have a key economic role.