URGENT NEED OF AID TO GREECE STRESSED

Chronicle (Levin), 22 March 1947, Page 7

URGENT NEED OF AID TO GREECE STRESSED

AMERICAN HELP WILL NOT LEAD TO WAR Received Friaay, 11.10 p.m. WASHTNGTON, March 21. The House Foreign Affairs Committee "began public hearings today on President Truman's request for 400,000,000 dollars for Freece and Turkey. The first witness' was the Acting Secretary of State (Mr. Acheson) who emphasised that there was no re sponsihility for aid upon the United Nations. Even if the project were not hlocked hy certain members, much time would be lost. Rel'usal to aid Greece would bring a quick collapse, and if Greece 's integrity and independence were lost or compromised the effect upon Turkey would be inevitable. It would also affect the countries to the east and south of Turkey. Mr. Acheson expressed the opinion that the installation of totalitarian regimes would produce enormous effects on the western countries. " It is not too much to say that the outcome in Greece and Turkey will be watched with deep concern throughout the vast area from the Dardenelles to the China Sea." Mr. Acheson believed that American assistance to Greece and Turkey would not lead to war. He added that by strengthening the forces of democracy and freedom a great deai would be done to eliminate friction between the great Powers. On the other hand the collapse of Greece and Turkey might set off a chain of reaction among other countries both eastwards and westwards struggling under similar pressure.

Greece 's plight was desperate. Mr. Acheson explained that the Government did not intend sending troops to Greece. Its aid would consist of supplies for the Greek Army. Asked if the State Department had any action in mind if Russia also decided to help Greece, Mr. Acheson re plied no. Mr. Acheson said the UniterJ States had no intention of trying to cust the present government headed by King George as that regime was installed by a free and fair eiection.