Evening star., 1951-03-22
Senator Johnson Sees
0iI-Rich Middle East
As New Trouble Spot
By J. A. O'Leory

Senate had its attention dl-i
rected today to another trouble
spot-the oil-rich Middle East.
Senator Johnson, Democrat, of
Colorado said in speech that the
Eastern Mediterranean is the area
In which the United States should
deploy its military strengthened
Western Europe.
"The current political trouble in
Iran may cast the shadow of
things to come" said Senator
johnson. Truly this crucial East
ern Mediterranean area has all
the ingredients which make it the
arena where the greatest military
giants of all time will reach a
decision"
Administration leaders decided
last night to join with leaders
of the international wing of the
Republican Party in an effort to
give the President more leeWay in
sending more troops to Gen. Els /
enhower later on without waiting
for another congressional debate t
Mcfarland Asks Change.
AS the two pending resolutions
now stand, they approve the send .
ing of the four divisions the Presi-
dent has decided on at this time,
but request Mr.. Truman to seek
congressional approval before
sending any more.
Democratic Floor Leader Nc
Farland of Arizona last night /
introduced an amendment elimin-
ating congressional approval"
and calling instead for the full
est collaboration between the
President and Congress. The
amendment also proposes the
President inform the appropriate
House and Senate committees if
reinforcements are to be sent. .
The committees would not take
the issue to the House and Senate
unless they disagreed with the
President.
II this substitute is adopted it
may reduce the majority for final
passage of the resolutions, but |,
Senator Mcfarland believes the
favorable vote still will be Sub
stantial."
Joined by Republicans.
Those who joined Senator Nc
Farland in sponsoring the bipar-
tisan substitute were Senators
Mcmahon. Democrat. of Con-
necticut. and Ives of New York
and Lodge of Massachusetts,. Re-
publicans.
Senator Mcfarland tried to get
an agreement to vote sometime
next week. but Republican Floor
Leader Wherry of Nebraska said
April 2 was the earliest date for
which he could get unanimous
consent. .-..
Under the agreement the Sem
ate will quit from this EVENING" I
until Monday This means it wilt
not close down for Today +
Easter recess, as the House will f
do tonight, but Individual SEN
ators may go home with the as
surance the troop resolutions will
not be voted on before April 2. /
The two pending resolutions
are Identical, but one requires
action by the Senate alone, while ,
the second will go to the House
also. Neither will have the forcei
OF law. because they do mot require
the Presidents signature. /
Joint Resolutions Urged.
Senator Flanders, Republican.
OF Vermont, said he is planning, l.
however, to try for a test vote TO /
change one of the pending pro-
posals to a "joint" resolution.
which would make its provisions
binding if the President signed it. /
The odds are against the Senate
taking that course and if it refuses
TO do so the resolutions it passes
will be merely advice to the Presi- |,
dent.
Senator johnson of Colorado
will tell the Senate today that
organizing ground force in
Western Europe is permitting
Russia to fix the locale of an
other war, if it starts. He predict
ed that Western Europe would
muster only between 16 and 20
divisions to supplement the six
this country will have in Europe
after it sends four more.
What military joke that will
be-" Senator johnson went on.
"At best it can only be a token
force if Russia attacks, nothing
more than suicide squad If !
Russia does not attack Eisenhower
does not need an army, and if
Russia does attack he needs not
less than 200 divisions. not 90"