Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-09
Plan to Trode With Reds Based
On Theory War Is Not Likely,
Stossen Declares at HEARING
Policy Of Relaxing
Curbs Questioned
By Three Senators
By J. A. OLeoy

Harold E. Stassen. Foreign
Operations Administrator, told
the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee today that the
United States is agreeing to ex-
pand peaceful trade with the
Soviet bloc because the admin
iStration believes a new world
war is not imminent.
Three Senators questioned the
wisdom of the decision on the
ground that easing Russia'S
need for consumer goods will
enable the Kremlin to move
ahead with military prepara-
tionS.
The questions were raised by
Senators H. Alexander Smith of
New Jersey and Hickenlooper of
Iowa, Republicans, and Gillette
Of Iowa, a Democrat.
Mr.. Stassen agreed that any
one who starts out with the
premise that war is inevitable
in the next year or two would
not adopt the administrations
new trade policy.
Stassen Defends Policy.
But he strongly defended the
policy on the ground that a long
period of tension, rather than
war, lies ahead. He said the
free world will get products it
needs in exchange. He predicted
the net result may increase the
chances for lasting peace by
swinging Russia away from
military preparation.
During two hours of question
ing Mr.. Stassen insisted that
there will be no relaxation of
the ban on shipment of strategic
materials and no weakening of
the Battle Act, passed by Con-
greSS to prevent such shipments.
II may be wrong" said SEN
ator Smith. but I have a feel
ing we are yielding lot in this
new policy-that we are giving
away an awful lot that will
strengthen RusSia's economy and
not quite visualizing what we
will get in return"
Tractors Mentioned.
AS examples of what the new
policy may involve, Mr.. Stassen
mentioned tractors for civilian
uses, but none which are de-
signed for military purposes.
He also admitted it may in
clude lighter types of machine
tools.
Senator Smith replied that
would relieve the Russians to the
extent that they can increase
their war potential.
Mr.. Stassen disagreed. adding
1--WE are seeking to open up the
Iron Curtain with merchants of
better life, and we feel that
will brighten the prospects for
peace"
Senator Hickenlooper said it
is recognized that the Kremlin
started out after World War II
to put an economic squeeze on
Western Europe" That has not
worked out, the Senator said,
but on the contrary reports indi-
cate economic difficulties behind
the Iron Curtain.
HickenlOOper Skeptical
1--WE now propose to open up
trade in consumer goods, which
will relieve the unrest and
pressure on the Soviet govern
ment, so that they can devote
more attention to military prep
arations," said Senator Hicken-
topper. Aren't we playing into
their hands?"
Mr.. StasSen reminded the Sen
ator that the new policy con-
templates shipping peaceful
goods in only when the Western
nations get something out. so
that there is no net advantage
for the Russians.
Mr.. StaSSen said the alterna-
tive course would be to lower a
complete trade blockade around
the Iron Curtain. He said that
would step up tension and in
crease the danger of war.
But assume we are in a cold
war, which is about the same as
a hot war;" said Senator Hicken-
looper.
IF you assume that cold war
is the same as hot war, you
would not follow this policy"
Mr.. Stassen replied.
Slave Labor Cited.
Senator Hickenlooper argued
that Russia can only ship out
raw materials or gold, which he
said was produced with slave la
Dor. He said giving Russia an
outlet for the products of this
slave labor will help RusSia's eco
nomic condition.
Mr.. StaSsen responded that if
the Western world has food and
textiles which the Russians need,
and you say we will not sell it
to them, you would hand the
Soviet one of the most powerful
(See FOREIGN AID, Page A-5.)