Evening star., 1953-01-19
The DuIIes-Stossen Mission

1t is an obvious but important reality that
the most pressing problems to face the new
administration will be in the field. of foreign
affairs In this circumstance it is fortunate
that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
has given unanimous approval to the appoint
ment of John Foster Dulles as the next Secre-
tary of State and that his quick confirmation
by the Senate seems assured
The questions of what to do next in Korea
and on the broader stage of the Pacific -Asiatic
theater, and of how to renew, the vitality of
the NATO and the West European defense
efforts, are major issues facing the new admin
istration. Mr. Dulles viewpoints and his coun-
sci will play large part in determining the
answers.
In a two-hour open hearing before the
Senate committee last Thursday, Mr. Dulles dis
cuSSed these problems and others in tone
OF earnestness that impressed his listeners
1--WE must" he said, find policies that are
strong but not reckless and which will end the
peril from powerful and resourceful enemy
without dying spasm of total violence No
one but fool would assume that task light
heartedly, and I certainly do not do So"
In his most recent association with the
outgoing administration Mr.. Dulles was the
principal architect of the Japanese peace treaty
and collaterally, close student of the Pacific
Asian problem. He has made clear that he
believes more intensive consideration and effort
should be given to resolving the problems of
that part of the world. But to the charge that
he is an "Asia-f1rst" diplomat, Mr.. Dulles
answers that the strategy of Soviet Russia (the
powerful and resourceful enemy is global
strategy and that it must be met on similarly
all-incluSive basis.
It is we'll, therefore, that Mr.. Dulles first
fact-fnding mission, decided upon at pre-
ino in Nau
should be planned to take him to Europe before
the end of this month. There have been many
evidences that the European defense effort has
slowed its pace in recent months. 1t has been
development due in part to economic prob
lems to Europe's domestic political considera-
tionS and even to the political transition which
has been under way in the United States since
November T. The transition will be Substan-
TALLY completed before Mr.. Dulles leaves and
he has been charged by President-elect Eisen-
hover to devote his primary attention to study
ing the economic and political troubles of our
allies. On the economic front in particular
he will be joined in his studies by Harold
StaSsen, designated as the next head of the
Mutual Security Administration
From the standpoint of American policies
and administrative procedures there is an
additional value in having Mr.. Dulles and Mr..
Stassen undertake this mission together.
The question of American economic aid
abroad has become controversial one on two
fronts; first, on the issue Of how extensively
and in what manner such aid should be con-
tinued and, second, how the administration >of
it might be refined and made less costly in
terms of personnel and overhead. Spokesman
of the new Congress have made clear their
reservations toward the "handout" type of
economic assistance and their aversion toward
an overseas bureaucracy engaged in non
essential or duplicating activities. Mr. Dulles
and Mr.. Stassen form the first line of policy
makers on these issues and their findings on
the projected trip should be of major impor-
tance in setting the future course.