Evening star., 1950-06-28
Senate Leaders Seek
Vote This Week on
Foreign Military Aid
By J. A. O'Leory


Senate leaders will drive for a.
vote this week on the 81 ,222 500, 600
foreign military aid bill as further
evidence that Congress is behind
President Truman in the stand he
has taken against further COM
munistic aggression In the Pacific.
The bill itself would have no
direct effect on the fate of Korea.
1t allots $16 million for future
use either in Korea or the Philip
pines. but it is only an authorize
ton.
The struggle to save the Re-
public of South Korea from the
Communists In North Korea prob
ably will be decided before the
funds In this bill become available.
Psychology Cited.
Leaders feel, however, that its
swift approval would have a re-
assuring psychological effect on
countries In other parts Of the
world working with the United
States to build up mutual defenses
against further Communist ex-
pansion.
Twice yesterday, Republican
Floor Leader Wherry Of Nebraska
objected to fixing an hour to vote
on the bill today or tomorrow. He
argued senator's should have more
time to discuss it in the light OF
current events. Efforts to agree
on q voting date will continue to-
day.
Meanwhile, the program for the
remainder Of this session has
been left in uncertainty by the
Korean crisis. Ten days ago
House and Senate leaders were
hopeful Of adjourning late in July
or early August, so that members
could get home to campaign.
Lucas Eyes July 81.
Senate Majority Leader Lucas is
saying July 81 is still his target
date for adjournment. but he con-
ceded that what happens to the re-
mainder of the legislative program
depends on international develop
ments during the next few days.
This includes the tax bill, now
before the House, and the size OF
the Federal budget, soon to be re-
ported from the Senate Appropr1a-
tions Committee.
Asked If the Presidents decision
to strengthen defenses around
Formosa and the Philippines
would lead to any increase in the
military budget as passed by the
House, Senator Lucas replied:
Il don't want to say that we will
need more money for the armed
forces. don't want to be in the
position of saying we are going to
have war-I don't think we are"
Most Republicans Joined with
Democrats in voicing approval of
the Presidents decision on Korea.
A few Republican members ques-
toned whether Mr. Truman had
taken a. step toward war without
o declaration by Congress.
KEN Challenges Power.
Senator. KEN. Republican, of
Missouri, a critic Of administI alton
foreign policy. was one of the fifst
to ask Senator Lucas If the Presi-
dent had assumed the right to de-
clare war.
Half dozen other Republicans
took the floor in rapid succession,
however. to indorse the Presidents
statement and to call for e united
front by Republicans and Demo-
Gratis. Among them were Senators
Knowland Of California, Lodge
and Saltonstall of Massachusetts,,
Smith Of New Jersey and Morse
OF Oregon.
Mr.. Truman's decisions to de-
fend Formosa and to strengthen
the Philippines were in line with
demands some Republicans had
been making for six months.
For example, Senator Taft of
Ohio had proposed early this year
that the Navy be sent to protect
Formosa. President Truman's
statement yesterday revealed he
is dispatching the 7th fleet to that
task. Senator Taft took no part
In yesterdays debate, but is plan.
ming a speech on the subject.
Defense Pact Advocated.
So general was the approval of
the Presidents action yesterday
that Senator Magnuson, Demo-
crat, of Washington, urged the
administration to start negotia-
tions looking to a regional defense
pact for the Pacific, comparable
to the North Atlantic Treaty.
Representative Marcantonio.
American Labor Party, New York,
who has opposed most of the Tru-
man doctrine against communism,
was among those who argued that
the President took over the powers
OF Congress in ordering American
f1iers and Seamen to help defend
South Korea.
Although he doesn't side with
Mr. Marcantonio on most ques-
tions, Republican Representative
Cole OF New York, a member of
the Armed Services Committee,
said the effect of the Presidents
order Is to take the United States
Into undeclared war.