Dollars, Arms For Greeks?

Northern Advocate, 8 March 1947, Page 7

Dollars, Arms For Greeks?

(11.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Mar. 7. White House announced that President Truman has postponed his trip to the Caribbean indefinitely “because of developments.” The President summoned Congressional leaders of both' parties to a White House conference on the international situation on March 10. The Presidential Secretary (Mr Ross) declined to elaborate on the conference, but the chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee (Senator Taft) said he and other Congressionals had been invited to White House to discuss Greece’s appeal for aid and the prospective British withdrawal of aid to Greece. j Congressional sources state that postponement of President Truman’s Caribbean holiday was caused by the need for immediate action on the loan to Greece. President Truman will meet Congressional leaders on Monday prior to sending a message on Greece to Cong Tess. It is reported that he plans to ask for a 250,000,000 dollars loan. WITHIN TWO YEARS

, The President will also ask Congress for permission to ship 125,000,000 dollars worth of arms and ammunition to the Greek Army. Official sources regard this as im.portant ns financial assistance, because money will accomplish little if the Greek Army is not strong enough to “stabilise the situation.” The same sources say the United States hopes to establish Greece on a sound financial basis within two years.

Although Mr Truman plans to lend 250.000,000 immediately, this sum may be increased by a further 100,000,000 before the rehabilitation programme is completed.