DISCONTENT IN EUROPE MAY OVERFLOW

Grey River Argus, 31 May 1948, Page 5

DISCONTENT IN EUROPE MAY OVERFLOW

Unless U.S. Can Allay It (Rec. 10.40). NEW YORK, May 29. The U.S. Secretary of state, General Marshall, on Saturday accused tne Soviet Government of launching “a deliberate cynical ' propaganda campaign” to offset tne serious American efforts to begin genuine negotiations tot a world settlement. General Marshall, when addressing the General .Federation ot women's ciubs at Portland, in Oregon, said: “If the Soviet Government would abandon certain courses oi conduct and action, which have kept the world in a state of uneasiness and contusion since the close of hostilities, it would, thereby, produce an entirely new international atmosphere, ana it would not find any lack oi response irom tnis Government”. At the same time, General Marshall warned that the people of Europe were "plagued by the constant fear that we (tne United States) cannot be depended upon—that we will change our minds —that we will turn from our formally adopted policy, like the European recovery programme, witnout notice, and without regard to the devastating effect of such vacillation”. General Marshall claimed, nevertheless, that excellent progress has been made with the quest for peaceful security’- and a return of general prosperity throughout the world since the uegmning of 1948. He said: “I am certain that a continuation of the firm course that we have been following will lead, to the solution of the worst of our difficulties, and will, eventually, clear the way to a sound basis> for peace’. Discussing recent United StatesSoviet" exchanges, and Russia’s alleged peace-feelers, General Marshall said: “The purpose of the statements by M. Molotov and M. Stalin was to gain a propaganda advantage, in order to mislead the American public, and in fact the world public, as to the sincerity of a Russian desire to reach an understanding”. He knew that there existed in the United States an overwhelming demand for some agreement to wipe out the fear of war and to re-establish normal conditions ,but it was his official duty to ensure that the United States was not misled, by its emotions, into commitments or into actions which would threaten its future. It was important to understand that the world was in a ferment of unrest, because the ill-favoured, ones realised what they lacked in comparison with the advantages which the others enjoved. He remarked: “This great surge of feeling is a ground swell now; but, it may become a tidal wave later, unless it is met by some definite hope of improvement through the action of the Governments concerned, and through a rehabilitation of the economy of the world, which is the purpose of our present programme. Meanwhile, this unrest presents a fertile field for those who advocate violence as a corrective measure, or action for ulterior purposes”. Is France a Proof Marshall Case ? (Rec. 8.30). PARIS, May 29. M. Bidault, French Foreign Minister, has sent an urgent note to General Marshall, repeating the French demand for a guarantee of American armed support. The Associated Press says: The note warned that France would refuse, to co-operate in diplomatic moves which might wosen her relations with Russia, unless France is given the guarantees of armed support. NOTE NOT CONFIRMED (Rec. 10.5). fiARIS, May 29. A Foreign Office spokesman said that he knew nothing of the French note to General Marshall, demanding guarantees of American armed support.

France Anxious for U.S. Military Guarantees LONDON. May 29. The Paris correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: "France is seeking assurance against risks of a Russian invasion in the near' future, ana ot another German attack in the distant tuture, but insistence on an American military guarantee does not mean that France is demanding a signed document. “The doubling or trebling of th? strength of the American occupation forces in Germany would, it is said in Paris, demonstrate the intention to resist a Soviet advance”. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says: "French anxiety about the absence of any substantial American military commitment in Western Europe has brought the sixPower London talks on Germany to a temporary standstill. “Both the American and French delegations are likely to seek further instructions from their Governments”. The American attitude to France’s security fears is believed to be, first, that there is already a military commitment involved in the American occupation of part of Germany, and, second, that the question of an American military guarantee for the Western Union cannot be considered until the five Brussels Treaty signatories have co-ordinated their own defence plans. West Europe Annies lay Merge Soon Lest Russia go to War (Rec. 11.0). NEW YORK, May 29. Lionel Shapiro, a N.A.N.A. correspondent, in a message from Brussels, said: Plans are under way to integrate tactics, armaments, and field commands of the Belgian and the Netherlands armed forces in a manner unprecedented in peace-time history of any two Western European nations. The Belgian authorities now are concerned with extending their plan to embrace the French and the British armies, and the hope is expressed that joint manoeuvres, of a token nature, may be held by all four of the armies in the autumn, probably in the Ardennes, France, the area which is West Europe’s most vulnerable point. The supreme purpose of this exercise would be to prove to the United States that a defence of West Europe is possible, and indeed is preferable to any other strategic conception m the event of war with Russia. French Fears of Communism AUCKLAND, May 29. Tmnressions of conditions in France gained first hand during her .studies “TXeS ‘al’Epson; girls' Gram- “ The n French people had many diffieulties They faced them with fatalist c imperturbability. They abused the Government violently at times,

bought from the black market, and generally tried to avoid standing in queues, as the British did. When English visitors asked them shout their attitude to restrictions, they often said: “Oh, you English are much too law abiding”. There was widespread fear of Communism. There had been ugly situations during strikes, and at one stage students had been kept indoors by the police and army. The attitude of the people seemed tot be one of confidence that they would pull out of their troubles. Speaking of women’s fashions, Miss Burton said that to her surprise there was little of the “new look” in Paris. It seemed more popular in Switzerland and Italy.