All East Asia Clamours For American Aid

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27317, 17 February 1950, Page 5

All East Asia Clamours For American Aid

NZPA—Reuter—Copyright BANGKOK, Feb. 15. The United States regional conference of diplomatic envoys from countries of Asia devoted its final session today almost exclusively to urgent short-range military and economic assistance required immediately to strengthen the capacity of East Asian nations to resist Communism. The envoys reported country by country on what specific immediate Western aid each Asian Government most urgently requested. An envoy who attended the meeting said: “All East Asia is clamouring for guns and dollars—on quick delivery,

List of Priorities

“A roster will have to be arranged listing priorities or who is most worthy of receipt of short-range aid, who can most effectively use it, and who lends himself most honestly to helping us help him. We still have not by a long way unsnarled the problem of how best to help each territory in Asia to help itself and its neighbours. “The envoys’ reports showed with staggering clarity the diversity of needs among the countries and i the lack of a readily exploitable cohesive force to hold South-east Asia together. Internal struggles within some recognised Governments alone sent booming echoes of unreality issuing from their pleas for costly aid.” ! The conference also heard frank reports by envoys on the diplomatic temper of some East Asian Governments which recently turned lethargic, fatalistic, and sceptical of the chances of receiving any effective Western aid before the onslaught of a Communist invasion or insurrection. When the news reached them the envoys held an immediate discussion of the implications of the Sino-Russian treaty. . i They extended the final session until tonight to assure the conclusion of the conference. Accent on Communism A communique on today’s activities says: “Specific attention was paid to fears which have been expressed by certain Governments that their independence is or may be threatened by Communist attempts to overthrow established Governments and to subordinate States to the control of the international Communist movement.”