Evening star., 1952-05-08
Eisenhower Says Cut
In Aid Bill Would Tend
Ito Hurt Defense Plans
BY the Associated Press

Gen. Eisenhower told Congress
today any cut in President Tru-
mans $7.9 billion foreign aid plan
would inevitably tend to curtail
or retard" this Nations defense
program.
The message from Gen. Eisen-
hover was made public by Sena-
tor Connally, Democrat, of Texas,
chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee.
The retiring head of the West
ern defense forces did not specifi-
cally ask Congress to retain the
full amount of funds Mr.. Truman
requested for foreign aid.
But he did say that any cut
would be heavily and seriously
felt"
The Foreign Relations Commit
tee has voted to cut 81 billion
from Mr.. Truman's requests. The
House Foreign Affairs Committee
chopped off another $10O million.
Gen. Eisenhower said his cable
t oSenator Connally that "any cut
materially greater" than the bill
lion dollar reduction voted by his
committee would create such diff
ficulties that a drastic revision of
the whole program might we'll be
indicated and might therefore en-
danger the proposed military
build-up now visualized and
which I consider essential in the
interest of U. S. security"
Russell Asks Opinion.
Only an hour before Senator
Connally released the Eisenhower
Senator Russell, Demo-
crat of Georgia, chairman of the
Senate Armed Services Commit
tee. sent a message to Gen. Eisen-
hover asking him whether he
thinks the $6 billion voted by the
Connally committee would be
adequate for this Nations de-
fenSeS.
Senator Russell is a candidate
for the Democratic nomination
for President and Gen. Eisenhower
is a candidate for the Republican
nomination.
AS the Armed Services Commit
tee began closed-door sessions,
Senator Russell told reporters he
had sent Gen. Eisenhower this
message:
"The Senate Armed Services
Committee is holding hearings on
the $6 billion mutual assistance
bill. It would be of great value to
the committee if you could inform
us as soon as possible whether in
your opinion this sum is adequate
to the job of building up the de-
fenseS of the free world against
aggression"
Committee Votes Cut.
The House committee cut voted
yesterday was in foreign aid funds
for the fiscal year beginning next
July /.
Most of the cut was in proposed
military assistance to Europe.
This was slashed 1929 million
despite protests of military leaders
that the full sum was vital.
However, the House group
amended the measure in such a
way that if shipment of all the
arms requested actually is vital.
military leaders could go ahead
and provide the arms-from their
own stocks.
The Senate had scheduled floor
debate on the bill Monday. But
some members of the Armed Serv-
ices Committee demanded a look
at the bill before the Senate voted
and this was agreed upon.
One committee member told a
reporter he was pretty certain the
group would make no further cuts.
But no such predictions were
made about the fate of the House
bill. Representative Vorys, Re-
publican, of Ohio, said he believed
another billion will be cut when
the bill reaches the House floor,
possibly next week.
The House Foreign Affairs Com
mittee yesterday adopted several
amendments, including the one on
shipment of arms to foreign Allies
out of American supplies. Chair
man Richards said it was a COM
promise between congressional de-
mands for economy and the ad-
ministration's description Of global
danger.
Other Key Amendments.
Some of the key provisions
adopted by the House groups
we're:
l. A provision declaring Spain
eligible for foreign aid and ear
marking a minimum of $25 mil
lion from European funds for eco
nomic and military assistance
there. The ADMINISTRATOR also
has a holdover of 500 million
for Spain.
2. A requirement that at least
81 billion of the $4.5 billion ap-
proved for military assistance be
used to purchase equipment made
in foreign factories. Mr.. Richards
said there was "some doubt"
whether European industries
could absorb this amount.
3. Authority for the Mutual
Security Director to require
changes that could include tax
reform in countries receiving aid.
4. Provisions requiring the ad-
ministration to encourage Ameri-
can investment, abroad and set
ting up a 500 million fund to