IStep To Next War’

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1947, Page 5

I Step To Next War’

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON. Mar. 1(7. The National Action Committee of the Shop Stewards' National Council urged the Government to repudiate President Truman’s policy in Greece and Turkey because it was “a long step towards World War 111, by-passed the United Nations, and was designed to support reaction throughout the world.” The Executive Committee of the Communist Party described Mr Truman’s statement as ‘a challenge to the democratic forces of the world. This flagrant intervention could only encourage reactionary governments to further aggressive measures.’’ RESPONSE NOT SHARP There is still no indication that President Truman’s speech has prejudiced or made more difficult the work of the Council of Foreign Ministers, says The Times’ Moscow correspondent. Pravda repeated and emphasised Izvestia’s complaint that Mr Truman has abandoned the United Nations and added; ••Mr Truman is trying to justify an expansionist policy by pretending to defend free peoples from the menace of totalitarian regimes. “This is not a new method. Hitler also spoke about menace when he waj preparing for aggression.” The correspondent comments that, in spite of this plainer speaking, it is impossible to discern the sharp and emphatic response which might have been expected. MAY BE TURNING POINT Just as the United States, seven years ago, debated the military consequences to the American people should; the Germans overrun Britain, so, today; the United States debates what its role! should be in the face of Britain’s economic decline, says The Times, in a leading article.' American commentators w’ho only: yesterday attacked British “reaction”! in Palestine, Greece and India today j bewail the “power vacuum” left by what they prematurely describe as the [ passing of an empire. The crisis in Britain has served to j make better understood the heavy J burden under which Britain is labour- j ing and the degree to which American j economic, besides political, strength j will have to be thrown into the scales! if the balance is to be tipped in favour j of a peaceful, prosperous world. j

The Allies had anxious; months between Dunkirk and Pearl Harbour but if party leaders in the United States can convince their followers that American political and conomic foreign relations are indivisible, then 1047 may be as much a turning point as 1941.