Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-02-27
Doctrine Foes
Push Substitute
0nlittinq Aid
BY J. A. OLEARY

ny De n. OLEAhI
Opponents of the Eisenhower
Middle East resolution in the
Senate are reported gathering
their maximum strength for a
substitute. striking out all refer
ence to economic aid and leaving
only pledge to use armed forces,
If the President deems that
necessary to halt Communist
aggression.
Senator Russell. Democrat of
Georgia. offered the substitute
late yesterday for himself and
Democratic Senator's Byrd of
Virginia and Stennis of SIS
sippi.
Informed sources believe this
move will muster more votes
than any Of a dozen other pro-
posed changes.
Not Expected to Garry
The vote on the substitute will
be close, but present indications
are it will not carry. A similar
motion failed in committee by a
vote Of II to IL. Although Sena-
tor Russell actually submitted
the substitute yesterday. it may
provoke several days of debate
before vote is taken.
The administration still would
have available for expenditure in
the Middle East the 5000 million
mentioned in the Eisenhower
resolution, but would not have
the same freedom in spending
it if the substitute were adopted.
The 5000 million already has
been appropriated.
Under the substitute, the
State Department would have
to allocate all the funds already
on hand by May l. and would
have to make a substantial part
Of it in the form of loans. The
Eisenhower solution would have
permitted this money to be spent
until July / without any restric-
tons, except that Congressional
committees would have to be
told Of the purposes before it
was spent.
Senator Russell will take the
floor in support Of the subSti-
tute when the Senate meets to-
day. and believes it will be voted
on by the end of the week.
Purse Congress Only Control
In explaining why he wants to-
confine the resolution to a.
pledge Of armed forces for any
Middle East country requesting
help against a Communist at
tack. Senator Russell said:
THE power of the purse is
the only real power a parlia-
mentary body has. This con-
troll by Congress has been tenu-
Gus at best over the life of the
foreign aid program.
In this instance. we are
asked to remove control from
5000 million of these funds"
Senator Russell said he is
perfectly willing to have Con-
greSs put the Soviet Union on
notice that United States will
use its armed forces against
aggression. But he is fearful
that If the United States en-
banks on a program OF SUPPLY
ing arms and military hard
ware to various Middle East
countries. it may provoke a war
in that area.
Would Speed Vote
Senator Russell predicted that
II his substitute is adopted. a
vote on final passage of the mar
rowed-down resolution would
follow Immediately. Il it is not
adopted there will be numerous
other amendments offered, ex-
tending the debate well into next
week.
Senate Democratic Leader
johnson Of Texas told reporters
today that out of 1000 letters
he received recently from
Texans. sol were protesting
against the size of the Federal
budget and the outlay for foreign
aid.
The Senator indicated that in
his opinion this feeling about
foreign aid in senatorial mail will
be reflected in the vote on the
Russell amendment.
Senator johnson was blocked
yesterday in an effort to limit
debate. starting tomorrow, to
one hour on each amendment
and eight hours on the resolu-
ton as a whole. Such a limita-
ton requires unanimous con-
sent. and was objected 20 by
Senator Malone, Republican Of
Nevada. Senator Morse, Demo-
crat Of Oregon. also was pre-
pared to object.
Debate will be curtailed today
by the visit Of French Premier
Mollet. who will address the
Senate at $3.50 pm.
Il