Evening star., 1953-04-23
President Refuses to Condemn
Reds Now, but Voices Concern
Over POW Atrocity Reports
Eisenhower Says He
Anticipates Cuts in
Defense Budget
By Joseph A. Fox

President Eisenhower de-
clared today that he is just about
convinced that United Nations
prisoners have been victims Of
atrocities in Korea.
Holding his first news confer
ence in three weeks. Gen. EiSen-
President Still Awoits Reaction T rom
Russio on Peoce Move. Poge A
Reds Pledge to Free More Allied PoWs
Thon First Promised. Poee A3
Stories and Pictures ReIoted to POW
Exchonse in Koreo. Poee Al
Red PoWs Nuisance to U. s., Silver
Spring Doctor Finds. Poee A-lS
hover said that pending COM
plete studies, he is not ready to
indulge in sweeping condemna-
ton Of the Communists. But he
added that there had been such
a universally of stories concern
ing atrocities that they disclosed
conditions that weigh heavily
on the heart.
In a brisk exchange with re-
porters, lasting more than 80
minutes. the President covered
a wide range of topics:
l. He said he anticipated de-
fense expenditures would be cut,
but was not yet ready to give a
figure.
2. The National Security
Council. he explained. has
recommended that this country
proceed in partnership with
Canada to construct the ST.
Lawrence Seaway. Gen. Eisen-
hover took the position that
this Government certainly should
participate to some extent.
ReOrganiZatiOnS Planned.
3. The President said that he
planned reorganization of the
State and Defense Departments
but that the program is not quite
ready.
4. He expressed the hope that
something would be done to make
atomic energy available for in
dustrial use.
5. He disputed the wisdom OF
the House of Representatives in
killing legislation to continue the
low-cost housing program, but
stressed that he was not making
an issue of that action.
s. The President disclosed that
the Justice Department is study
ing the controversial Truman
order giving Government agen-
cies the right to impose secrecy
restrictions on the dissemination
of information. The order has
been widely criticized by the
press.
Supports Trade Act.
7. Restated his support Of a
simple one-year extension to the
Reciprocal Trade Act, but added
he was not barring amendments
8. The President expressed
doubt that restrictive ''buy-
American" legislation is desir-
able.
The treatment of u. N. prison
ers in Korea came up at the out
set of the conference, when Gen
Eisenhower's attention was called
to reports brought back by re-
patriated U. N. forces. The
President was asked what his
own feeling was about the mat
ter.
He responded there had been
no complete reports yet, and that
it was difficult to separate fact
from isolated instances. But, he
added firmly, the continuity OF
the reports made him happy that
prisoners are being returned be-
cause something obviously has
been wrong.
Matter Is Being Studied.
Before there can be sweeping
condemnation. the President
continued. the matter must be
studied and that, he said, is be-
ing done.
Gen. Eisenhower brought uI
the St. Lawrence question him.
self, explaining that the Nationa,
Security Council has now ad-
viSed him that this country
should go ahead to some extent
(See EISENHOWER, Page Al