Evening star., 1962-08-09
G,0P.Closes
Ranks,Attacks
A-Test Policy


for a politically significant at
tack on President Kennedy's
modified proposals for a nu-
clear test ban.
In language so similar as to
indicate q prior meeting of
the minds, Senate Republican
Leader Dirksen of Illinois,
House Republican Leader Hal
leck of Indiana and Gov. Mel
son A. Rockefeller of New York
contended yesterday that Mr..
Kennedy is retreating toward
the Russian position.
Senator Dirksen and Mr.. Hal
leck charged in a news confer
ence that Mr.. Kennedy had
sent United States negotiators
to Geneva that in hand" with
concessions to the Russians
that were promptly rejected.
They added that the Nation
now was witnessing another
example by the Kennedy ad-
ministration Of how not to deal
with the Russians"
Risk to Security Seen
A few hours later Gov. Rock
efeller said in a statement the
Kennedy administration had
moved steadily toward the So
Wet position" in efforts to get a
treaty on nuclear weapons
testing and controls.
He said that what he called
weakening" of the United
States proposals made in
March, 1861. by the Kennedy
administration even further
seems to me to run a high risk
of endangering our national
security"
Gov. Rockefeller, who might
become Mr.. Kennedy's Repub-
lican opponent in 1864 if he
wins reelection oS Governor
this year, went on to say the
Democratic President appeared
to be making decisions without
the public's knowing what pro-
posals were being made.
There was no White House
comment on the Republicans
remarks.
Mr.. Kennedy told his news
conference last week he and his
aides had been attempting to
bring the United States posi-
tion in line with new scientific
data on the detention Of under
ground tests that only became
available in June.
He said the United States
proposals included on-site in
of suspicious seismic
events and international con-
troll of inspection stations. But
he declined to go into details.
At Geneva yesterday, United
States Delegate Arthur H. Dean
was reported to have told the
17-nation disarmament panel
that his country is willing to
reduce controls posts to 80.
fewer than half the number
previously proposed.
u. s. Concessions Opposed
Senator Dirksen and Mr.. Hal
leck said it was their informa-
ton that what they called a
new set OF concessions included
substantial relaxation Of our
previous demands for inspec-
ton" They said the Russians
were demanding and the
United States conceding when
it ought to be the other way
around.
Without saying 1t in as many
words, the two wings of the
Republican party seemed to be
reviving the, old soft on COM
munism" issue. Gov. Rookie
feller, the party liberal, and
conservatives Dirksen and Hal
leck were suggesting that Mr..
Kennedy was too naive in his
dealing with the Russians.
How much Of an issue the
nuclear test ban matter might
become in the fall congress
sional campaign appeared like
ly to depend on the progress
Of negotiations.
But If they couldn't agree on
such issues as how to handle
health care for the elderly
Gov. Rockefeller was for a var
iation Of the Kennedy plan
and the congressional leaders
against it-the Republicans
seemed united on the slogan
Of standing firmly against the
Russians.