Evening star., 1961-03-09
BY GARNETT d. HORNER
Star staff Writer

dent warned against boycottS
by American workers Of i'm
ported goods in protest against
foreign competition. He said
two can play this game" with
boycottS here likely to lead to
boycotts against American
goods abroad.
Trade Snafu Unfortunate
The Presidents discussion of
trade with Communist coun-
tries came in response to a
question on what he thought
about the "snafu" involving
some precision machinery first
licensed for shipment to Rus
Sia and then embargoed.
He said that incident was
quite unfortunate" and not
the best example of the way
a government should handle
things.
He explained that there was
a difference Of opinion between
the Commerce and Defense De-
partmentS. with the Pentagon
taking the view that the ship
ment was not in the national
interest and then toughening
its position.
-"I am hopeful that in the
future we can set UP better pro-
cedures so that q better judg-
ment can be made" he re-
marked.
Pressure Both Ways
The President added that it
is difficult for those making
the decision in such cases be-
cause caution tells them to
send nothing" while on the
other hand some degree Of
trade should be permitted.
after ALL" he said, "coun-
tries in Western Europe are
carrying on very intensive trade
with the Soviet Union, and
some countries with Commu-
mist China, so what they can
not get here, they get there.
80 we wish to bring some
reason to It,"
On the question Of boycotts
of imports by some labor unions
and other groups hit by foreign
competition, Mr.. Kennedy said
he hoped the boycotts will not
spread.
Points to Legal Procedures
He pointed out that Congress
has set up procedures in the
Reciprocal Trade Act by which
industries that suffer because
Of imports can protect them
selves.
II recognize that these work
ers are hard hit" he said, but
they are not always able 10
make a judgment of what the
total national need is and also
the need internationally"
If every group is going to try
to take matters into its own
hands instead Of following pro-
cedures set UP by Congress,
the President warned that I'VE
are going to have action taken
against US" in foreign coun-
tries.
He noted that the United
States exports a great amount
Of goods involving employment
Of millions Of Americans.
The spread Of import boy
colts would mean, he said, that
pretty soon we will find our
selves with a serious situation
among friendly nations and
also which will be harmful to
the gold flow"
No Surrender to Red China
On other matters in the for
eign field, Mr.. Kennedy told
his press conference:
!. I'VE are not prepared to
surrender" in order to lessen
tension with Communist China
He said his hopes for an easing
Of tensions had been dimmed
by Red China's refusal to re-
lease American prisoners or to
consider an exchange Of news
correspondents.
q. His letter to Soviet Pre-
mier Khrushchev, delivered in
Siberia by American Ambassa-
dor Llewllyn Thompson, ex-
pressed in general his views on
some cold war issues and his
strong confidence in AmbaS-
sador Thompson to speak for
me and for our country at this
time in any discussions he
might have with Mr.. Khru-
shchev."
3. He thinks that the United
States should consider with the
United Nations how to bring
the new American Peace Corps
program into harmony with
U.N. technical assistance pro-
grams in underdeveloped coun.
tries. He emphasized that peace
corps workers will be sent only
where they are welcome.
Swedish Leader to Visit
4. Swedish Prime Minister
Erlander will make a To-day
informal visit to this country
beginning March %. The Pres
ident will meet with him a
the White House March 20.
5. The United States Is dis
cussing with other countries
what new procedures might b.
attempted in order to guaran
tee the security of Communist
threatened Laos and isolate
from military pressures on boil
sides.
6. He has sent a special mis-
sion to Bolivia, arriving ther