Evening star., 1954-06-04
Asia Situation
IsNot.Hope|ess,
Dulles Asserts
Appeals to Congress
For -FIexibiIity on
Foreign Aid Funds
Bv James RoDer
By jones z. Roper

By james z. Roper
Secretary of State Dulles told
Congress today that the military
situation in Indo- China is grave
but by no means hopeless"
On the diplomatic front. he
said, the Communist attitude at
the Geneva conference on Indo-
China is mot encouraging" al
though it is impossible to pre-
dict what the future holds"
Secretary Dulles, testifying
before the Senate Foreign Re-
lationS Committee, said because
OF the uncertainty of the outlook
1t was vital for Congress to al
low the administration great
fexibility in distributing funds
provided in pending foreign aid
bills.
Triple Threat From Reds.
Mr.. Dulles indorsed proposals
for Stepped-up contributions to
the Far East, although he warned
that the free world generally now
faced its most formidable men,
ace in history in the Soviet's
triple threat" of war, subver-
sion and propaganda.
Mr.. Dulles warned anew that
the United States will re-examine
its policies toward France and
Italy if they fail to ratify the
European Defense Community
agreements. Mr.. Dulles, how
ever, argued for aid to India,
which he said is making a great
and courageous effort to achieve
the economic progress necessary
to foster democratic insyitu-
tions."
Mr.. Dulles, however, concen-
trated on the Far East, the crisis
point in American diplomacy
today.
Formula Sought.
The present situation is grave,
but by no means hopeless" he
said, referring to Indo- China.
In the present conference at
Geneva, we and other free ma
tions are seeking a formula by
which the fighting can be ended
and the people of Indo- China
can be assured true independ-
ence. So far the Communist at
titude is not encouraging. It is
impossible to predict what the
future holds.
"The uncertainties of the fu-
ture in the Far East, like the
exigencies of the world situation
elsewhere, indicate the essential
need for hexibility in the use of
the funds authorized and appro-
priated in this program.
IF we are to be able to make
the most effective use of what
we have, the President must be
in position to move quickly and
decisively to do what will, under
the circumstances, best serve the
ends which the act is designed to
promote. For this reason, we be-
lieve that the flexibility provided
in this legislation in the past
should be continued"
Britain Closest Ally.
Secretary Dulles, under ques-
tioning by Senator Fulbright,
Democrat. of Arkansas, said the
United States can count on
Great Britain as our strongest
and closest ally.
Mr.. Dulles said there was no
point in trying to disguise the
fact that there have been ANGLO
American differences over Indo-
China but he does not think they
strike at the fundamentals of the
Anglo-American friendship.
I'VE agree on the basic nature
of the Communist danger and
the necessity for making q COM
mon cause against it, Mr.. Dulles
said.
When it comes to the details
Of how you do it, then there
are differences. One element of
a free society is that there are
differences. To say we have diff
ferences is one way of saying
there is free society"
Avoids Domestic Policies.
Secretary Dulles ducked a
chance of getting involved in
domestisc politics. Senator Full
bright asked him whether
political differences in the United
States hamper Mr.. Dulles con-
duct of foreign policy.
1T is a great tragedy that DR..
q. Robert) Oppenheimer-
great scientist. should be sub
Jected to this indignity," Senator
Fulbright said.
Senator Fulbright referred to
an Atomic Energy Commission
security board recommendation
that DR.. Oppenheimer. one of the
makers Of the atomic bono. be
denied access to atomic secrets.
Secretary Dulles said domestic
difficulties at home had not had
an identif1able effect on his con-
duct of foreign policy.