Reconnaissance in Force

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which has lent $125,100,000 to Latin American countries (Mexico, Brazil, Chile), took another step last week to help carry out President Truman's Point Four development program in South America. The bank announced that a team of nine experts, headed by ex-Brain Truster Lauchlin Currie, would spend three months studying ways to increase Colombia's wealth.

Unlike other World Bank surveys, this one began with President Eugene R. Black's announcement that the bank planned to lend Colombia $5-$10 million, possibly before the survey is finished. But the experts, said Black, will range far beyond the projects the bank may decide to finance. At government invitation, they will examine the whole Colombian economy, choosing the likeliest places where private investment, under Point Four auspices, might come in and help in the job of developing the country's resources.

Colombia and the Bank will split the costs of the survey, which was planned in part as a trial run for future Bank-sponsored Point Four scouting parties.

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