Feeding Independence

The U.S. put $130 million, mostly in food, at the disposal of Poland last week, bringing to $426 million the total U.S. aid extended to Poland since Gomulka came to power in 1956 and won a tenuous independence from Soviet Russia. Even though Poland has hewed closely to the Soviet propaganda line in recent months, the U.S. hopes to encourage its independence, however circumscribed it may be.

A series of droughts made a disaster of last year's crop, and Poland urgently needs food. Russia came forward with a few credits but hardly any food. The U.S. aid is in the form of a series of grants that will enable Poland to buy U.S. surplus farm products with its own currency. At the same time the U.S. exacted a price. It held up last week's grant until Poland agreed to pay $40 million as compensation to U.S. citizens whose property was confiscated in Poland after World War II.

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