Evening star., 1948-02-19
Too Little, Too Late
CRY on Aid 10 China
Heard in Congress
BY the kssocioied Press

President Truman's plan to
give China a $570,000,O00 eco
nomic shot in the arm raised a
cry of too little and too late In
Congress today.
Senator Bridges, Republican. of
New Hampshire said the civil strife
in China has passed the point where
mere economic help" will be
enough.
I'VE should furnish military sup
piles to enable the Nationalist gov
eminent (of Chang Kai-shek) Co
use the equipment we have already
given them," the New Hampshire
lawmaker told reporter. He added:
The expenditure of many billion
dollars to halt the spread OF Com
munist forces in Europe makes lit
tie sense if at the same time this
government allows China to go to
Communists by default"
House Hearings Tomorrow.
Senator Bridges is chairman of
the Senate Appropriations Commit
tee, which will have big say over
how much money China is TO get
and how it is to be spent.
However, the first officials look at
the Chinese aid program is shaping
up on the other side of the Capitol
The House Foreign Affairs Com
rriittee announced that it will start
hearings on the subject tomorrow
The committee is still working or
ENropean Recovery Program legis-
lation, but plans to start writing 9
foreign aid bill, or bills, by March 2
The Senate Foreign Relations
Committee has just finished work
oa a $500, 100000 Marshall Plar
Measure for Europe. But there was
no immediate word when it will
take up the China matter.
No Military Help Asked.
EMr. Truman confined his message
to the economic aspects of China's
troubles. He asked no military help
T>He suggested $51O,o 900 in loan:
or gifts to finance such imports al
czreals, cotton, petroleum, fertilizer
tUbacco. medicines and coal. The
remaining $50, ,00O, 900 would be spent
for a "few selected reconstruction
pEojects."
,TThe President said both the Euro
bean and Chinese programs could
be administered by the same agency
Fhis has been advocated by Chair
man Herter of the special House
Committee on Foerign Aid. But
srme members of the Senate For
s{gn Relations Committee are
Known to take a dim view Of any
such arrangement.
Senator George, Democrat, OF
georgia came up with a proposal
Yesterday that the United States
Hhance all its foreign aid programs
dtring the next few years by sell
ing special bonds.
-~-The Georgian suggested that the
Government issue bonds for win
ming the peace as we did for win
ming the war"
Tax-Exempt Bonds Urged.
What he has in mind, Senator
George told the Sente, Is" bond
issue amounting to $4,000, ,000, ,00t
>or $25 ,00O, 600, 600, to mature in 20
or 25 years.
He said the bonds should be taz
exempt and pay modest interest,
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
told reporters his "off-hand' reac-
ton was that it would not be best
to finance foreign aid through bonds
But he said Senator Georges pro-
posal ought to be considered" and
that "there might be an argument
for it."
In outlining his idea, Senator
George urged Congress to face the
cold facts that the budget by
1851 or 1852 will amount to perhaps
$4,000, 100000 ''if this country con-
tinues to move in the direction it
is going
He said the spending load will
one day break down the productive
power of America" unless plans are
made to meet it.
But Senator Barkley,' Democrat, OF
Kentucky, the minority, leader, told
his colleagues he expects the annual
peacetime budget will decline to
about $4,000, 100000 when the bur
den of postwar requirements eases