Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-08-08
Acheson Resists
Arms Plan Shift
ToStopgap Basis
George, Vondenberg
Reveal They Doubt
Full Sum Is Needed
By J. A. O'Leory

secretary OF state AcneSOn tolo
Congress today he would resist
suggestions to cut the Admins
tration's ,450,000,000 foreign
arms program pending establish
ment of the mutual defense coun-
Gil under the North Atlantic
Treaty.
Senator Vandenberg, Republi-
can, of Michigan, who has been q
leading supporter of a bipartisan
foreign policy, took the lead in
proposing a smaller stopgap pro-
gram which substantial number
of lawmakers. including some
Democrats, have indicated they
favor.
Such a course, Mr.. Acheson
said. would be little more than a
gesture.
Question Reveal Doubt.
The Secretary had scarcely
completed a prepared statement
at the opening of Senate hearings
today when the question of Sen
ators George. Democrat, OF
Georgia, and Vandenberg revealed
the existing degree of doubt that
the full amount asked for is need
ed at this session.
Mr.. AcheSon had emphasized in
his prepared statement belief
that the American people will not
be satisfied with half measures. -
Senator Vandenberg began by
saying he thinks "it would be a
great calamity if this session OF
Congress ended without adequate
legitimate, good faith action or
this program" He proceeded tc
make clear by his questions, how
ever, that he thinks good faith ir
cooperating with Western EUROPE
does not require the full amount
now.
Wants No Unilateral Tie.
The Senator said he wants tt
make sure this country stays with
in the collective security" OBJ.
jectives of the North Atlantic
Treaty and avoids unilateral com
mitments before the treaty is in
operation.
How many nations have rati-
fed the pact?" asked Senator
Vandenberg.
Enough have ratified to put it
into effect as soon as the notices
OF ratification are received by the
United States and the President
issues a proclamation" replied
the Secretary.
is there any reason why the
council called for under Article 9,
and the Mutual Defense Commit
tee. could not be created imme-
diately?" continued Mr.. Vanden-
berg.
Steps are being taken to bring
that about" Mr.. Acheson replied.
Aches0n Would Resist Delay.
II take it that you would resist
the idea that our responsibilities
at the moment is to proceed in
good faith to indicate our attitude
and then wait for the next ses-
sion of Congress, which is only
four or five months away, to work
out comprehensive plans?" Sena-
tor Vandenberg continued.
Yes. Senator, I would resist
that. I believe we must 60 for
ward on both these fronts at the
same time" Mr.. Acheson replied
firmly.
Mr.. Acheson went on to say
that attitudes" do not impress
the forces with which the free
nations are dealing. He said those
forces are impressed only by
realities, land see no point in
allowing months to go by"
Senator Vandenberg interrupted
to explain that his reference to
Showing our attitude" did not
mean that alone, but implied
passing an interim program.
80 Two-year Program.
He also brought out by ques-
tioning that Sc per cent of the
arms in this bill. including surplus
stocks already on hand, would be
delivered by June 80. 1850, while
the other A per cent would be in
O. state of procurement.
I'm other words" said Senator
Vandenberg, you are making in
this bill two-year program en-
tirely outside of the council that
will be in existence within 80
days. Am I totally wrong that
there is no middle ground?"
Il hesitate to say you are ever
totally wrong. Senator Vanden-