Evening star., 1951-03-01


"It is not the function of the
Joint Committee to set defense
Toft Reitero.es Stcnd on Troops at Dinner
for Senator Butler. Pose A-l9
policy" Senator Russell told re-
porters in advance of a closed
committee meeting.
He is the chairman Of the
Senate Armed Services Commit
tee. It combined with the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee
headed by Senator Connally,
Democrat. of Texas to consider
the much debated troops for
Europe issue.
Public Hearings End.
The group ended public hear
ings yesterday after hearing Gen.
Lucius D. Clay, former COM
mander of American forces in
Europe. plead that the United
States send troops to Europe
without attaching any strings.
Senator Russell and Senator
Connally made it plain in separate
interviews the two committees will
take their time on reaching a
decision. They have before them
resolution by Senator Wherry
designed to bar dispatch of troops
to Europe Immediately, as well as
several substitutes for it.
Were going to have to chew
on it a good time" was the way
Senator Connally put it.
Gen. Clay said it would be a
mistake for Congress to attach
any conditions to aid it furnishes
to the Western European defense
force.
Backs Little Fellows"
"I just don't believe you can
value freedom and allies on the
basis Of two divisions to one divi-
sion, or $40 against 81. or IS
against ST." Gen. Clay told the
Senators.
He urged that Western Europe's
little fellows" be given a chance
to prove themselves" and pre-
dicted IT think they will"
Gen. Clay took stand against
the resolution by Senator Wherry.
the Senate Republican leader. de-
signed to bar the sending of any
ground troops to Europe under
the North Atlantic Treaty until
Congress has determined a policy.
Senator Wherry told reporters
this should be an overall defense
policy. He proposed that the
joint committee hold exhaustive
hearings" behind closed doors with
military leaders on the subject
and then report its recommends
tions to the Senate.
"I think that ought to be done
before the committee reports any
resolution on troops for Europe"
he added. mr.
Senator Wherry believes air
power should be given top priority
in any overall policy.
In addition to the Wherry pro-
posal. the committee has these
three other resolutions before 1t:
/. By Senators Connally and
Russell-To put the Senate on
record that the threat to the Sc
curity of the United States and
our North Atlantic Treaty part
ners" makes it necessary to sta
ton abroad "such units Of our
armed forces as may be neces-
sary."
2. BY Senator Lodge, Repub-
lican, OF Massachusetts-To give
congressional approval to the
sending of a Limited number" OF
United States troops to Europe,
if the Joint Chiefs of Staff certi-
fed the assignment was essential
to the security of the United
States"
3. BY Senator Knowland, Re-
publican, of California-To give
congressional approval to the
sending of four divisions to Eu-
rope, but requiring that any ad-
ditional troops be sent over on a
ratio of one American division Tor
each six fielded by the other North
Atlantic nations.
Amendments Pending Also.
In addition to the four resolu-
tions, the committee also has be-
fore it two amendments to the
Connally-R Russell proposal sub
mitted by Senator Taft OF Ohio,
the Senate COP policy leader.
Senator Taft wants Congress to
pass or the general character and
number of forces to be assigned
to the European defense command
of Gen. Eisenhower, and wants
defense quota pledges from the
Europeans in exchange for United
States troops.
Senators Connally and Russell
already have announced their
opposition.
Senator Wherry, in turn. made
it plain he wouldn't go along with
the Connally-R Russell resolution,
or anything like it, when the time
comes for the Senate to act. He
is not a member of either of the
two committees.
"I'm not going to support. a
blanket resolution like Connal-
ly's," he, said, declaring 1t would
just rubber stamp" the admin
istration program, and give Presi-.
dent Truman blanket authority
to hold sideshows all over the