COMMUNISTS ARE THE SPOKE IN THE WHEEL

Chronicle (Levin), 6 December 1947, Page 5

COMMUNISTS ARE THE SPOKE IN THE WHEEL

Iteceived Fridav, 8.40 p.m. NEW YOKlf, Dec. 4. A number of intiuentiul ofiicials and Congressmen iu WaShington is increasingly afraid that despite all her efforts, tlie United Ftates may lose the battle for production and recoverv in West Europe, says the New York ^ Times' Washington cOrrespoiidfeht. "We had better stop kiddiug oufsalves," one otiicial said today. " While we talk about recovery in Washington and London, the Gominunists are wreckiftg our recovery plans iu France and Italy. We can not deai with this problem through economic aid alone. " The eorrespondent says it is genefally agreed tliat politically, the Communists are hurting themselves by their sabotage and strilces and have probably destroyed their chances of regaining power' in France and Italy by Parlia-

mentary meuns liut the possibility that disturbs oKicials and Jegislators is that even politically weak Communist parties can delav the recovery of France and Italy so long and increase the cost of recovery so mueh that ('011gress will be unwilliug to foot the lugher bill. Four proposals for more direct action against the Communists, being made, are: Firstly, the administration should assure the present French and Italian Governments that if the Communists try to seize power unconstitutioually. the legitimate Governments can count on United .States' support; secondly, the Fnited States should support France in her plan for internationalising the Ruhr and Rlfineland vallevs; thirdly, the TTnited States should render offiective direct aid to non-Communist parties in France and Italy; fourthlv, the United States sAould speed up aid to Europe and develop an effective overseas infonnation aervice to see that the facts and objects of that aid are clearly and widely tmderslood.