U.S. ANGRY WITH BRITAIN

Chronicle (Levin), 24 August 1949, Page 5

U.S. ANGRY WITH BRITAIN

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter.

Recriminations Will Not Help Oollar Grisis ♦

Copyright)

Received Tuesclay, 7 p.m. ; ' NEW YOER, August 22. ; Alarm was expressed in a Section of' the Press and in oificial circles in Washington today, oyei* the bitterness of tlie Anglo-American recriminations in the cufrent debate between the Press oi the two coillitries over responsibility for Britain 's trueval dollar shortage.' Nc international conference since the war has been preceded by sueh publicity and expressed criticism of each other by the British and Am'erican Press, as that now heralding the British-Canad-ian-American linancial talks opening in Washington on September 7. Tlie sharp tones of Mr. Shiuwell 'A protests and the widely reprinted Sundaj'' Pictorial leader, g~ave rise to a number of leading artkles in the American Press pointing out that such international bickering was endangering the talks. The Baltimore Sun said nothing was to be gained by an exchauge of recriminations. It added that relationship between debtor and creditor was bound to be strained. The newspaper acknowledged that aid to Britain had lieen given primarily with the ultimate beiielit to tlie United States. It added: "That does not mean, however, that our own qualified representatives should withhold reasoned criticism ot the present fin-aneial policy of tlie British Government in a matter on which we are so seriously concerned. We surely have both tlie right aua duty to offer suggestions and advice provided always it is done in a friendly : manner. " j Call to "Dease Fire." The Washington Star wrote: "Now that the British Press— both Labourite aiul Conservative — has understandably struck back at the extremists arnong us who delight in twisting the lion's tail, all the parties involved ought to cease fire long enough to mulJ over tlie fact that this Anglo-American family quarrel will beneiit nobody but the Russians if it is allow^d to go from bad to worse, generating lieat and illwill rather than iight and cooperation." The Star added that Britons and Americans must. remember above all that tlieyr needed each other. The wliole effort to safeguard the free Western world could end only in i cataStrophic failure unless the two countries stuck together in the elosest possible relationship. Short of tliat the Kremlin was likely to win the game. Socialism Disliked. The New York Wall Street Journal which has opposed as hopeless Ameri- . can plans to revive Britain with dollars so long as she had a planned and man- ! aged economy, said today that a continuation of that policy would be foothardy as well. This newspaper, which generally refleets the views of American big business, devoted a 3000 word leading article to tlie talks in Wash-| 5iAgtoH; The- Muurnal --said: P-The-' Washington offidial view is that the weakening of Britain is a weakening of ■ one of the pillars vvhereon rests American political and economic policy to- ! wards Europe. The primary purpose ot the British negWiators will be differ- 1 ent. First in their minds is a eontinuation in office of the present British Government. Other considerations are seeondary and if Anglo-Anierican cooperation has to be sacriliced to their ambition to continue in power, tlie saerifice will be made." The Journal added: "There is a growing sentiment in Washington ^not to give the British any further substantidl aid until the British have taken further steps to correct their situation. However, there is also a sentiment for further aid without stiff conditions and it would seem that idea is still in the ascendancy within the Administration. What is reaily threatened witli collapse is not Britain — it is tlie collapse of the yocialist structure which is niisusiug the great intelligence of the British nation. ' ' Senator Jarnes Kein (Republican, Missouri) said in a speech in the Senate today, that the United States sliould require Britain to abandon hcr ' ' wasteful experiment in socialism before spoonfeeding any more economic soothing syrup to the people of Britain." Senator Kem said American officials should tell Mr. Beviu and Sir Stafford Cripps during tlie fortlicoming talks, to put their bouse in order. He added that the British proposals for relief of the dollar shortage would represent means^ 1 ' to tap the American treasury for more billions to prop up a tottering socialistxc economy in Britain." He continued: "If I had my way, I would say to Mr. Bevin and Sir Stafford Cripps, 'Not another dime of the American taxpayers ' money unjfcil you take measures to help yourselves. We liave done our part. Senator Kem suggested that Britain devalue the pound sterling and repudiate bilateral trade agreements such as that signed with Argentina "which shut off the eompetition if free American enterprise in the markets of the world."