FRANCE APPEALS FOR FURTHER HELP

Chronicle (Levin), 19 February 1948, Page 5

FRANCE APPEALS FOR FURTHER HELP

WAS! 1 1 XHTOX, Feb. 17. Franre today urgently appealed to Ihe United States for linaiieint assistanee before Ajiril 1 when the European reeovery prognunme is due 1o st-arr. Authorititative sources said Franre lielieves that' at least 1. 50, f )()(), ()00 dol lats will be needeib after her presen. eiiiergeney United States funds run on. during tlie lirst week in Mareh. The United States originallv granteo Franre lkS4, ()()(), ()t)() dollars ' of Hhe 7)'2'2, 000, 000 dollar interiin Furopean reeovery progranime approved by Uon gress in Derember but the Frenrh Hovernment now s.iys it will need near !.v 4.00,000, 000 dollars for the period Derember to April 1. Franre has suggestod, lirst ly, a 150,000,000 dollar loan from the Exporl: I m port Bauk but banlc ofhrials said surh a proposal would be re.jerted. Seeondly, another payment up to 50,000,000 dollars for expenses for Ameriran troojis paid by Franre aftei the Jilieratbin, Fr-aRce has already re reived 50,000,000 dollars for this pur [iose. Thirdlv, the steaily unfreezing of :17,0()0,0()0 dollars wort'h of Frenrn gold helil by the United States if. Jtinan A1 tliough conreding that Urancc is faring a now erisis, partieularly in industrv, American Government otli cials doubt the wisdom of inaking an.\ new dollar i oiiiriiitnients in advance of the -Marshall plan but thev are eonsi.der ing a request for the finyinent of Arnu. costs and nnl reezing ,gold.