Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-09

EaSt-WeSt competition, the agree
can specialists go abroad for six
months and establish health elm
les or organize recreational facili-
ties.
Three present Prime Ministers
visited the United States under
the leader program before they
assumed ONCE: Gaillard Of
France. Eghbal of Iran, and Kara
manlis of Greece.
These influential tourists, on
their return home, pour forth
their impressions through
speeches, books, articles and per-
sonal discussions. One japanese
journalist not long ago gave 100
lectures after his American tour.
More important they absorb q
"feel" that is bound to influence
their future thinking on all mat
tiers affecting this country. AS one
of them put it, "the fact that I
have freedom of movement to see
and do almost anything at gov
eminent expense except spend the
whole time on Miami Beach Is
most impressive"
Aid to Understanding
Not too long ago a Danish edi-
tor spent some time in Little
Rock and for the first time really
began to appreciate what COM
plicated problem school integra-
ton is in q Southern community.
Soviet propagandists have used
United States race difficulties eff
fectively, yet when influential
foreigners see the situation for
themselves they have on the whole
been impressed by the progress
being made and find that condi-
tons are much better than they
had expected. This result in itself
may justify the So million spent
to bring leaders and specialists to
this country.
These are frequently expressed
views-in many cases correcting
previous misconceptions - that
have been expressed by visitors:
. That the United States has
genuine culture and deep interest
in cultural affairs.
. That Americans work hard
especially women in the home de-
spite all the electrical appliances.
o That family life and religious
life are strong in America.
o That Americans are hosnitable.
Privote Sponsors Help
In more than 1000 American
communities, private sponsors
contribute time and hospitality to
the entertainment of foreign
visitors brought here under the
leader-specialist program. And the
hosts ind that they benefit as
much from this contact as the
visitor. Groups planning the for
eign visitors tours have been con-
tinually impressed by the genuine
enthusiasm that exists all over the
country for the program. It per-
mits the average citizen to par
ticipate personally in foreign
affairs.
Here are the suggestions Of q
particularly qualified individual,
an admitted enthusiast. who for
many years played vital role in
both the academic and leader
specialist programs:
. Stress quality rather than
numbers in the exchanges.
. Conduct greater research into
the backgrounds of exchanges
and more intensive "follow-up"
after the foreigner has returned
home.
Although the State Department
has requested the same amount
of money in the new budget as it
now spends on the exchange pro-
gram - $20.8 million - additional
funds would enable more ex-
changes, especially from the
increasingly vital areas Of Asia
and Africa. to have an American
experience. Most supporters agree
that the program should be in
creased perhaps so per cent over
the next few years.
The $20.8 million in the new
budget includes 1882 900 to finance
visits by IS persons from Commu-
mist bloc countries to this country
and by 81 Americans to those
countries. Under this program, is
Americans would 60 to Russia and
Is Russians would come here.
Financing Of exchanges under
the agreement has not been worked
out, since there is no good estimate
of how many people will be in
volved or to what extent the Gov
eminent will have to foot the bill.
1t may be that Congress will be
asked for additional funds for the
new program.