Evening star., 1961-04-21

test ban and cultural exchanges
with the Soviet Union. '"
He acknowledged there may
be incompatibility when there
is suspicion between the two
systems and when one of the
systems are pressing their in
terest with great vigor around
the world. 1t makes the chances
of getting any agreement far
less"
The President reflected deep
ening peSsimism about relations
with the Soviet bloc. Il thought
the best hope was the nuclear
testing. even though it was al
ways true that the obstacles
were large" he said.
But if there is any chance
at all of getting an agreement
OF cessation of nuclear tests,
regardless of what appears to
be the obstacles. I think we
should press on I still be-
lieve that MI. Arthur Dean
should continue to work at
Geneva"
The Presidents grim warning
on the Cuban situation pre-
Sented the Organization of
American States the greatest
crisis of its 13-year history.
OAS officials here were
awaiting United Nations Cen
eral Assembly action on the
Cuban crisis before deciding
how they would respond to
President Kennedy's open chal-
lenge. Up to now the OAS has
been reluctant to take force
full action against the Castro
regime.
The aSsembly's Political Com
mittee adjourned early this
morning, exhausted and con-
fused, after all-day debates on
how to handle the Castro COM
! plants against the United
States for supporting "aggres-
sion" in Cuba. One resolution.
which the United States backed,
would refer the problem to the
OAS, a regional organiza ton
set up under the United Ma
tions.
Presidents Stand Clear
The Presidents clear warn
ing of possible unilateral action
by the United States came in
a speech before the American
Society Of Newspaper Editors. {
Should it ever appear that
the Inter-American doctrine of
non-interference merely con-
ceals or excuses the policy of
non-action--if the nations of
this hemiSpere should fail to
meet their commitments against
outside Communist penetration
then 1 want it clearly under
stood that this Government will
not hesitate In meeting its pri-
mary obligations which are the
security of our own Nation"
the President said.
Some American officials said
the OAS was at a crossroads
where it must decide whether
the treaty pledges to take COL
lective action against outside
aggression are only high
sounding principles or basis for
action.
President Kennedy's strong
statement - ENCOURAGEMENT
for the small band of gallant
Cuban refugees" which chal-
lenged the Castro rule earlier
this week was a response, Amer
ican officials said, to American
public opinion which was de-
manding a strong expression
Of determination to resist Com
munist infiltration of the West
ern Hemisphere.
A short time after the Pres
ident spoke the White House
disclosed that on Wednesday
afternoon the President mad
held a secret meeting with
Chairman Jose Miro Cardona
and five members of the Cuban
Revolutionary Committee. Mr..
Miro Cardona asked the PreSi-
dent, Press Secretary Pierre
Salinger reported. to use his
influence with the OAS to pre-
vent the execution Of men cap
tured by Castro forces this
week. Mr.. Miro Cardona also
asked that the President act
through the OAS to try TO as
sure the captured men of ade-
quate medical attention.
The White House also dis
closed that the President had
conferred for rs minutes late
yesterday afternoon with for
mer Vice President Nixon, his
Republican opponent in the
presidential campaign last year.