The Chicago Star

Guns - not bread

PRESIDENT Truman led many people to the belief that his $400,000,000 "relief" program for Greece and Turkey would really provide much-needed help for the people of these countries. The evidence shows (see Page 2) that it is guns not bread which is being placed in the hands of the anti-Democratic rulers of these countries. Above is the marketplace in Kilkis, Greece, with an ominous weapons carrier in the foreground. And typical of the backwardness and poverty of Turkey is this primitive threshing scene.

IS THE U. S. ARMING?

'Loans available for those who toe the line

By CARL HIRSCH

Is the United States becoming the arsenal of world reaction?

Mounting evidence this week confirmed the suspicion that the "Truman Doctrine" will license the pouring of billions in military equipment into the hands of any government, military clique or fascist group that is willing to make a fight against democracy.

While Congress was approving the Greek-Turkish project, these facts came to light:

1. THAT not one cent of the proposed American loan to Turkey will be used for relief purposes. In a press interview, Turkish President Ismet Inonu stated that the money would be used entirely "for military purposes."

2. THAT Undersecretary of State Dean Acheson stated in a Cleveland, Miss. speech that big loans are to be made available to many countries where "communism" is an issue.

3. THAT large quantities of U. S. military goods are now being poured into Latin American countries, mainly Brazil. U. S. government spokesmen are making no bones about the admission that the $400,000,000 Greek-Turkish loan is a mere drop-in-the-bucket "down payment" in the broad over-all plan.

It was revealed by Paul A. Porter, head of the U. S. mission to Greece this week that the pro-fascist Greek government will actually receive more than a half billion dollars instead of the $300,000,000 contained in the current bill.

In a telegraphic interview received in London, Turkish President Inonu made the frank admission that Truman's touching plea for "relief" for the starving Turks was nothing more than a hoax.

Inonu made the flat statement: "The aid to be given by the United States will be used for military purposes."

THE RATE at which anti-democratic and fascist countries are now arming was disclosed this week in a New York Times survey. The study showed that there are nine countries in which at least 30 per cent of the national budget is allotted to military expenditures: United States, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, France, Greece and Spain.

Much of the cash for these armaments comes either from direct loans by the United States or through U. S. influence in world agencies that have money to loan.

HERE are some facts that when placed side by side indicate some of the behind-the-scenes phases of the Truman Doctrine.

A. In the same week that French Premier Paul Ramadier expelled Communists from his cabinet, France was granted a $250,000,000 loan from the World Bank. The U. S. State Department and smaller countries it controls are considered decisive in determining the bank's decisions.

B. As the Brazilian government outlawed the Communist Party last week it was disclosed that Brazil is the biggest beneficiary of U. S. surplus arms shipments, totaling $2,028,583.

BY these actions, the Truman administration served notice to the world this week that its resources are available to any power that can furnish evidence of its "good faith."

The Truman government thereby becomes the inheritor of unofficial "anti-Komintern" pact more powerful than Hitler was ever able to devise.

But like the Hitler "anti-Komintern," the Truman Doctrine fails to take into account the decisive millions of democratic people who are the victims of this program in every country where it operates.

THE BACKGROUND of Greek's new King Paul and his wife (above) leave no room for doubt as to their politics. Both were active before the war in Nazi movements, and German-born Frederika was a leader of the Hitler Youth.