Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-03-22
Senator Smith Urges
5-Point Plan 10 Save
Asia From Red Grin
By J. A. O'Leory

Republican, of New Jersey,
called on the free nations
today to join in develop
ing a new Ave point program to
keep the free areas of Asia from
being drawn behind the Com
munist Iron Curtain.
In a speech prepared for Sem
ate delivery, he proposed:
/. That the free nations Of
Asia, from India east to Japan,
be encouraged to hold an
economic conference to develop
their trade programs.
2. That the United States give
careful consideration to an in
ternational fund for capital de-
velopment in Asia.
8. That Congress consider all
possible ways Of increasing pri-
vate investment in underdevel-
oped countries.
4. That Congress support
greatly expanded information
and exchange of persons pro-
gram. especially in the Far East.
5. That Congress give increased
support to the technical assist
ance program.
More Funds for Far East
In connection with the last
point. the administration re-
vealed recently it will ask this
session to authorize SIP billion
to step up economic aid in the
Far East. This is 5000 million
more than was allowed last year
and would go for raw materials,
food and equipment.
Senator Smith also cautioned
his colleagues to give up any
thought that the job of keeping
the rest of Asia from turning to
communism can be accomplished
in a year or two. He said the
Communists think in terms of
decades, generations and even
centuries.
Senator Smith said, 1--WE, too,
must adjust our thinking, as
reluctant as we may be, to a
long term operation. We must
start thinking more in terms of
results rather than months and
years"
U. S. On Defensive.
The New Jersey Republican
recalled that since the end of
World War II the United States
has been forced to assume a
defensive position in preparing
itself and other free countries
against the threat of military
aggression.
Now that q series of defense
treaties with free nations in all
parts of the world have been
completed. the Senator said the
time has come to plan a new
approach, based on winning the
struggle for the minds of peoples
who have not yet been taken over
by the Communists. He made it
clear that this struggle is now
centered in Asia.
Our economic assistance and
our psychological program are
obviously inadequate in COM
parision with the tremendous
efforts Of the Communists" SEN
ator Smith said.
He pointed out that the Soviet
Government has been spending
more than 81 billion every year
on its world information pro-
gram, which is more than we
have spent in the last 10 years
put together"
Sees Wrong, Approach
Senator Smith said one of our
has been an effort to
sell "our way of life to those
who have little understanding of
It," He suggested that the as
sistanoe program be offered on
a partnership basis, emphasizing
that it is for the mutual benefit
of this country and those re-
ceiving it. He said also it should
be kept within the framework
OF their social structure.
To show the magnitude of the
problem. Senator Smith pointed
out that the total population of
the on-Communist world is
about 1.6 billion. of whom two
thirds live in underdeveloped
countries.
The proposed international |
fund for capital development |
suggested by Senator Smith
would be for non-self -liquidat-
ing investments to promote |
health, education, housing and |
possibly transportation or power
facilities. He said these would
be projects which would not or
dinarily attract private capital.