WISE STATEMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25937, 1 September 1945, Page 7

WISE STATEMENT

TRUMAN’S PRESCIENCE ATMOSPHERE IMPROVED BRITISH CONCERN ALLAYED (Rec. 8.20 p.m.) RUGBY, Aug. 30. Commenting on President Truman’s report to Congress on lendlease, the Yorkshire Post says the President’s “ wise and generous statement” will do much to allay the concern in Britain. “It is clear from the President’s words that both itain’s important contribution to the war effort and her present difficulties are understood by the United States Government. Mr Truman shows all the directness of his great predecessor in office. He warns the American public that an attempt to force a cash or equivalent settlement of the United Nations’ lend-lease debt to the United States would cause economic chaos, leading to a third world war.”

The Manchester Guardian considers the report has “distinctly improved the atmosphere,” and sees American administration as “ anxious to overtake the unfortunate impression which the abruptness of its announcement last week created.” rt questions whether Britain will find it easy to agree with the American ideas of a solution, but adds that “ the good intention is there.” The principles laid down are unexceptionable, and in full harmony with the earlier declarations on which the rest-of the Allies have been relying. The Times, summarising the President's report, says: “ The prodigious deeds of the United States, decisive in the eventual triumph, have cost some £70,000,000,000, but 15 per cent, of this totgl, which represents the cost of lend-lease, has been ‘not less effective in promoting the defence of the United States and bringing nearer ultimate .defeat of the enemjr than the balance of 85 per cent., which has'been the cost of direct American effort.” It adds, however, that "the President might have added that unless the coming settlement is devised as wisely as he has spoken, the cost for the less rich and most bereft nations may still prove disproportionately large, even against the gigantic price paid by the United States.” The President’s objectives—the securing of the economic foundations of peace and of full and useful production and employment in all nations and high levels of commerce and stable monetary exchange relationships are objectives which “have still to be won by the joint and several efforts of all nations, and no f£ ctor will count more towards success or failure than the economic policies the United States will pursue. Two world wars and unceasing industrial revolution within her frontiers have bestowed on the American people a responsibility for wealth and welfare which knows no boundaries.” The Daily Telegraph, welcoming the President’s “writing off of the whole of the lend-lease debt as part of the price of victory,” says: “The report is imbued with the spirit and far-sighted policy which directed the magnificent endeavour now terminated. Mr Truman looks forward to agreement upon new co-operative methods between the United States and the British Com-

monwealth and other nations. “The American State Department, he announced, is already working with other departments on an interim plan to feed Britain and the rest of Europe in place of lend-lease.” The News Chronicle considers the situation as outlined by Mr Truman could be better summarised. “ These pronouncements show that the President is looking ahead with prescience and imagination. They provide a starting point for talks between the State Department and the Keynes Commission which could not have been more felicitously chosen. They lay the foundations of continuing accord between Britain and America on the principles which must animate the post-war world. An admirable beginning to a partnership in peace.”