FREEDOM AT STAKE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26410, 14 March 1947, Page 7

FREEDOM AT STAKE

DANGER FROM MINORITIES CALL FOR PROMPT ACTION WASHINGTON, Mar. 12. ' Opening his speech, President Truman said: “The gravity of the situation which'”faces the world to-day necessitates my appearance before this joint session.”. He said the United States foreign -policy and national security were involved in the programme; /. “ Should we fail to aid Greece and Turkey; in this fateful hour,” he declared/ “ the effect will be far-reaching on the West as well as on the -East We must take immediate arid resolute action.” : ' Greece arid Turkey had sought financial assistance from the; and. they must have that aid to preserve their independence and integrity. , _ v . > ' ■ ‘•. Far-reaching Effect • •

.’The . President; said- fie was fully aware of . the broad. ; implicati ons involved .if the United : States extends assistance to Greece and .Turkey, but he -regardpd'it as ..more important to permit free peoples to work out their destinies, in their own-way. If Greece disappeared' as an independent State, *t would have a profound effect pn

• those countries in Europe whose peoples were, struggling against great difficulties to maintain their freedom and independence while they repaired the damages-of war. ...Turkey’s future was clearly no less important to the freedom-loving peoples of the world than the future of Greece. THe main- ' teriance of Turkey’s national integrity w.a& -essential to the preservation .of arder' in the Middle East. , He asked authority for the instruction and' trairiing of selected Greek and Turkish personnel” in addition to sending civilian and , military personnel to Greece and Turkey. “This is a serious course on which we embark. I would- not recommend it except that the alternative is much more serious,” he said. “ The seeds of totalitarian regimes are nurtured by misery, and want. „ They spread and' grow in the evil soil of poverty and want They reach full growth when the hope of a. people for a better life has died We must keep that hope ' alive. / The peoples of the world look to- us for support in maintaining their freedoms. If We falter in our leadership we may endanger the peace of the world and we shall surely endanger ihe welfare of our nation. Great re-, sportSibilities have been placed upon us by the swift movement of events. I am confident Congress, will face these responsibilities squarely.” '' ; President Truman said the Greek Government had also asked for the assistance of experienced American administrators. economists, and technicians to ensure that financial and other aid given should be used effectively in creating a stable and self-sustaining economy, and in improving public administration. > The President said the Greek Government was unable to cope' With the terrorist situation. The Greek Army was small and poorly equipped, It needed supplies and equipment if it were to restore the Government’s authority throughout Greek territory. > As a result of the tragic conditions left after the Germans were expelled frOni Greece. “ a militant minority, exploiting human want and misery, was able to create political chaos, which so far has made economic recovery impossible.” The United States, thererriore, must assist Greece; there was no other country to which Greece could turn, Britain could give no further economic aid after March 31. Although President Trutnan nowhere named Russia, he attributed Greece’s difficulties to Communists, “ The.wery existence of the Greek State is to-day threatened by terrorist, activities of several thousands of armed men led by Communists, who defy the Government’s authority at a number of points, particularly along the northern bound- • aries,” he declared. He predicted that confusion and disorder would spread throughout the Middle East if Greece fell under the control of this armed minority. Free peoples must be helped to remain free from the advance against their national integrity by;aggressive movements seeking to impose totalitarian regimes oh them. The President said the United States had contributed 341,000.000.000 dollars towards winning the war. The assistance he recommended for Greece anq Turkey was little more than one-tenth of 1 per cent, of that amount. It was only common sense that the United States should safeguard its investment in-world freedom and world peace and make sure that it was not in vain. Although President Truman, did not mention Russia 'by name at any time in his speech it was obvious that the Soviet was his - target. Congressmen realised 1 the critical step the United States was taking, and noted the sudden and unexplained recall of the Soviet Ambassador /to the United States M. Novikov, and Russia's Lohdon envoy, M. Zarubin, to Moscow.. M. Novikov will leave by plane to-mor-row. ' : ' ' ....