Evening star., 1949-07-21
By ]. A. OIeary

By J. A. OLeoy
In a desperate, st-minute
move to tie strings to the North
Atlantic defense pact, two Re-
publican opponents - Senators
Taft of Ohio and Wherry of Ne
braska-today suggested approval
of the treaty may supersede re-
strictions in the atomic energy
law against giving away atomic
secrets.
AS the Senate began the final
hours Of debate, however, all signs
still pointed to overwhelming
ratification of the treaty without
change by nightfall. The Senate
has agreed to begin voting on
amendments at S pm, with the
final vote to follow.
While Senators Taft and Wherry
were raising the specter of danger
to atomic secrets, however, an
other Republican, Senator Van-
denberg of Michigan. took the
floor again to plead with his COL
leagues not to water down the
treaty with reservations which
might lessen its value as a de-
terrent to war.
Strong COP Aid Expected.
Democratic lines appeared to
be almost intact for the treaty
and a substantial majority of the
Republicans are expected to fol-
low Senator Vandenberg. Some
reliable observers predicted only
a dozen votes against the treaty,
or at the most, Is.
Il continue to believe that this
pact-if eloquently approved by
the Senate-is our best peaceful
and strategic chance to stop an
other war before it starts" said
Senator Vandenberg. IF it starts
pact or no pact-it is headed
straight in our direction"
Senator Taft took diamet-
ricall opposite position in his final
plea to the Senate. He predicted
the pact will lead this country
straight toward a third World War
if arms for western Europe are
provided in advance Of an attack.
The Ohioan charged it would start
an arms race and the old balance
of power" system. neither Of
which, he said, has prevented war
in the past.
Earlier, Senator Wherry1 the
Republican floor leader. revealed
for the first time that he will not
vote for the treaty If his amend
ment disavowing any legal or
moral obligation to arm Western
Europe is not adopted.
Senator Donnell Of Missouri,
another Republican opponent. in
terrupted to suggest that Senator
Wherry change his reservation to
make it clear there is no obligation
to ship atomiv bombs abroad or
furnish other countries any atomic
information.
Senator Wherry welcomes the
suggestion.
Taft Joins in Debate.
Senator Taft broke in to sug-
gest the reservation already would
protect the atomic bomb by re-
ferring to military weapons. Sem
ator Taft asked Senator Wherry.
however, If he had considered the
possibility that the atomic energy
law limiting the disclosure of in
formation may be superseded by
the pact because a treaty super
sedes a law.
Senator Wherry argued the
other nations will expect modern,
up-to-date weapons oof defense.
Senator Wherry had raised
questions yesterday about the A
bomb and the treaty.
AT the time, Chairman Nc
Mahon of the Senate House
Atomic Energy Committee said
the treaty carried no obligation
to share atomic secrets. He said
the question should be considered
when the for-Europe pro-
gram is taken up by Congress.
In his closing argument Sena-
tor Wherry charged that Amer
lean policy in the Pacific is drift
ing like a ship without a rudder, I"
and inquired:
"Are we going to close the front
door to communism in Europe
and leave the back door to COM
munism wide open in the Pa
cific?"
Senator Wherry renewed a de-
mand he made last year that
Gen. Macarthur be brought home
from Japan to report to Congress
on the situation in the Pacific
area.
Indications are that at>1east
three efforts will be made to
tie qualifying strings to the docu-
ment before the final roll is called
on ratification.
One or more Of the proposed
(See PACT, Page A-5.)
Is Syrian Purty Members