Evening star., 1949-07-16
George Suggests u, 5.
Limit European Arms
Aid 10 Surplus Stocks
By J. A. O'leoy

Georgia suggested today that the
Senate may limit the European
arms program for the coming
year to a resolution authorizing
shipment of surplus stocks, in
stead of appropriating the ad-
ministration' definite figure Of
81 ,450 10000
Although the size of the arms
program will not be an issue until
the North Atlantic defenAs pact
has been acted on next Thursday.
it has become the chief bone of
contention in the treaty debate.
The Georgia Senator said he
has grave doubts Congress will act
at this session on the Presidents
proposed arms, program. and sug-
gested the limited authority to
ship surplus military supplies is
one of the possible alternatives to
achieve some degree of Atlantic
defense against a potential ag-
gressor.
Will Vote Thursday.
The Senate is in weekend re-
cess. after staying in session past
9 o'clock last night to hear further
debate for and against the treaty.
Senators Morse of Oregon, VAN
denberg of Michigan. Republi-
cans: Pepper of Florida and Pull
bright of Arkansas. Democrats.
spoke out in behalf of the treaty.
late yesterday.
Earlier in the day the opposi-
ton finally agreed to vote at 5
pm. Thursday. and ratification
of the treaty by more than the
required two-thirds is believed as
sured. Some of the Senators who
are for the treaty, however, are
having trouble making up their
minds how far to go in shipping
arms to other signatories in ad-
vance of an attack.
Treaty opponents count IL sure
votes against the document with
several more doubtful. Even Is
or 18. however. would be far short
Of the minimum number needed
to beat the treaty-33.
Morse Hits Opposition.
Testimony at the hearings on
the treaty indicated that a good
part of the follow-up arms pro-
gram would consist of recondi-
toned equipment already in this
country's arsenal of defense.
I If, therefore, the administra-
ton runs into stubborn fight
against specific appropriation
for European arms in the closing
days of this session, the George
suggestion referring only to sur
pluses might gather strength az
a compromise.
Senator Morse told his COL
leagues he could not agree with
Senators who say the treaty car
ries no obligation to give arms ia
, Europe.
There is clear moral obliga-
, tion." Senator Morse said, adding
if the obligation is not there
then "the pact already is a mu-
scum piece for Joe Stalins mu-
scum of totalitarian history"
Senator Morse declared he 10
supporting the treaty as a warm
ing to Russia that the United
States will defend any member
attacked.
| Senator Pepper also favored it
as "the best bet to end the cold
war" with Russia.
| Vandenberg Urges Open. Mind.
I And Senator Fulbright said.
The pact will tend to delay and
possibly prevent World War III"
The treaty should be merely q
stop-gap. Senator Fulbright sfd
leading to economic and political
unification of Europe.
Senator Morse said that Sena-
tors who oppose the mutual aid
accord seem to think this country
can "go it alone in a disturbed
world.
IF we turn our back on the
Atlantic Pact" Senator Morse
said, what hope should we have
that we'll have allies in any war
with Russia" He added that un-
less the United States can win
the peace "the first chapter in
the fall of America Is being writ
ten"
i Senator Vandenberg took the
floor briefly to plead with his col
!, leagues to keep an open mind
on proposed reservations to the
pact until he and others have an
opportunity to present "convinc-
ing reasons" why they should not
be adopted.