Marshall influenced By Churchill Plan

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1947, Page 7

Marshall influenced By Churchill Plan

(Noon) WASHINGTON, June 12 The Secretary of State (Mr Marshall) told a Press conference today that when lie made his Harvard speech on June 5 urging the European nations to get together in some way to restore Europe’s economy he meant to include both Britain and Russia and everything west of Asia. He disclosed that Mr Churcnill's scheme for a United States of Europe had influenced him in developing ihe idea that Europeans should work out their own economic recovery plans but that the United States should extend financial help to carry them through. INITIATIVE FROM EUROPE The initiative must come from Europe and he would not mak' any further statements, or make any diplomatic approach to European nations until they themselves had responded to his proposals. For the first time Mr Marshall linked his European proposals to the political, as distinct from the economic future of Europe. ‘‘We are following the proposition favouring European nations getting together in some way to restore Europe's economy on which their political future depends” he said. He hadn’t received from Europe any indication or proposals favouring an aid to Europe programme' before he made his Harvard speech. He had no estimate of how much financial assistance might be required. WOOL COMPROMISE ATTACKED Mr Marshall sharply condemned the Senate and House joint-conference decision accepting the compromise wool tariff, and warned it might stymie the Geneva international trade conference, which sought the world-wide removal of trade barriers. After the conference, Mr Marshall released copies of communications from former secretaries, Hull and Stimson on the proposed wool tariff. Both voiced strong opposition to the House provision for an import fee. Mr Hull said any action endangering the reciprocal trade programme would be ‘‘tragic indeed”. Mr Stimson telegraphed his opinion that the provision for a higher wool tariff was most unwise, adding: ‘‘To the other nations new watching for proof of American sincerity and unity, it would be a shocking indication that the United States policy can at any time be shackled by the sort of economic shortsightedness for which all the world has paid so dearly in recent years