davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Zuckert's Interest

(Although Arthur Sylvester, As
sistant Secretary of Defense for
Public Affairs, told another con-
gressional committee last week
that charges of news management
at the Pentagon were largely "a
lot of hogwash," the release Of
the Sheppard evaluation brought
renewed accusations Of managed"
or, as Senator Humphrey, the
Democratic Whip, is won't to say,
"mismanaged," news)
There was still a third example
Of the Pentagon's bent for the
unusual in its Cooperation"
with the subcommittee. This was
brought out by the testimony of
Air Force Colonel John Gregory
who said he had been asked to
sign two documents supporting
the Mcnamara Tx decision
three months after the award had
been made and after being told
by Air Force civilian superiors
that the documents we're Of Tex
treme interest" to Air Force Sec
retary Zuckert.
The Colonel said he had not
been pressured into signing, but
asserted that he made an "im-
provident" decision because
''alone am not qualified to con-
cur or not to concur-I am not
an aeronautical engineer, nor am
I qualified to assess technical de-
tails"
Evening star., 1963-03-31

Gil repeatedly has recommended
firmer action to prevent further
exile attacks. 1t is against United
States law to mount attacks from
American soil, and efforts un-
doubtedly will be made to make
certain no Florida or Puerto
Rican bases are being used. In
addition, II the administration
chooses, it can make it harder
for the exiles in q number Of
other ways.
This was made clear yesterday
In the administrations statement
that it would take every step
necessary" to prevent the use Of
American soil for such raids. The
note made clear the United States
sympathy for the exiles. but en-
phasized that the Neutrality Act
should not be broken by anyone.
The note was issued jointly by
the State and Justice Depart
ments. BY doing so, State told the
Russians that the Government
was not supporting these attacks.
Justices role will be to use the
power of the FBI and other agen-
cies to investigate and apprehend
violators Of American law.
Washington fears that exile
attacks may lead the Russians,
as has been threatened, to arm
their ships. This could lead to
further. more serious incidents.
Mr.. Kennedy is known to believe
that the menace from Cuba is
minimal-that isolation plus add
ed support Of the Alliance for
Progress can achieve more than
continued harping about Castro's
Cuba.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Frank Admiral

The next demonstration Of Mr..
McNamara's Cooperation" with
the subcommittee came on Thurs
day after the Senators released
testimony from Rear Admiral
Frederick L. Ashworth. assistant
chief for research and develop
ment in the Navy's Bureau Of
Weapons and a member of the
Source Selection Board which
recommended the Boeing version
of the Tx.
The Admiral testified that the
Government will not be getting
the best plane" in the General
Dynamics version and he chal-
lenged the Defense Secretary's as
sertion that Boeing had, in ef-
feet, proposed two different air.
planes in its bid for the con-
tract which may run to $6.5 bill
lion.
At about the same time, the
Pentagon, in an apparent at
tempt to counter Admiral Ash
worth's testimony, released a
hitherto secret evaluation by
Navy Captain John T. Sheppard,
a member of the Tx evaluation
board, who contended that there
was no clear-cut Navy choice be-
tween the Boeing and General
Dynamics versions. The evalua-
ton board is a lower panel than
the Source Selection Board and,
unlike the latter. it did not make
any recommendations.
Evening star., 1963-03-31

completely the corrupt practices
that dogged Korea's government.
Moreover, Mr.. Chang did not
have the confidence Of the mill
tary. In May, 1861, over Ameri-
can protests. q military ttnta Of
young officers led by General
Chung Hee Park seized power.
ostensibly. Gen. Parks goal
was to end political pickering and
corruption In high places. But
after two years Of military rule,
Korea's fortunes are not any
brighter-and some say they are
worse.
Last December, Gen. Park an
nounced that the military - as
promised would give UP control
over the government and that
elections would be held this
spring. At first, Gen. Park said he
would retire from the service and
run for President himself as a
civilian. Since this looked like an
attempt at legalizing the dicta-
torship, Gen. Park was urged by
many people not to run for office.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Lighted Matches

But the President also said that
the hearings on the Tx matter
being held by the Senate Investi-
cations subcommittee, headed by
Senator Mcclellan Of Arkansas,
were a good thing" He added
that he was confident that the
Senators would conduct a fair
hearing.
These statements by Mr.. Ken
nedy were widely interpreted as
an effort by the President to pour
oil on the troubled waters which
had divided the subcommittee and
the Pentagon civilian high COM
mand.
Last week, however, 1t appeared
that somebody was determined to
throw lighted matches on the oil
slicks. The battle between the in
vestigating Senators and the Nc
Namara forces continued un-
abated.
On Monday, the subcommittee,
which is seeking to determine
whether any political influence or
faulty Judgment was involved in
the Tx decision, released testi-
mony taken from the Secretary
the previous Thursday.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
The Latest Incident

The strafing by Cuban MICS
near the American merchant YES
sci, the Floridian, on Thursday
was an example Of the dangers in
the present situation. The two
Jets fired "in error" Havana said
later, and obviously were not aim
ing at the ship. Havana's quick
note reduced the significance OF
that particular attack.
But II the Jets had sunk the
ship, It might have had the same
effect as the sinking of the Maine
did rs years ago-provoking the
press and Congress to call for an
about attack on Cuba.
The administrations Russian
and Cuban experts are not sure
what the Soviet response 10 an
American attack on Cuba would
be. There are about $4,000 Rus
sian soldiers In Cuba and pre-
sumably would be involved in
any fighting. Moscow has publicly
pledged itself TO support Cuba
In the event Of an attack.
Would Moscow retaliate2 And
II so, how7 BY ICBM's that would
trigger an all-out nuclear WARP
BY q conventional attack in Eu-
rope? These are contingencies
the National Security Council
must deal with. From Washing
ton, the risks do not seem 10
be worth the gains from 4 sue
cessful attack on Cuba.
Most likely. Moscow also Is con-
cerned about the Cuban situa-
ton. II Is not in the Soviet
Unions interest to enter into a
war over Cuba, and yet. II II
did not stand by Cuba In case
OF attack. II might lose It's pre-
enhance IN the world Commu-
mist movement 10 the Chinese.
The Soviet military. moreover.
would undoubtedly object 10 hay-
ing It's own men killed or cap
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Korea:
Junt1 Ponders

The United States Govern
ment warned the South KO-
rean military junta on Monday
that prolonged military rule
"cOuld constitute q threat TO
stable and effective govern
ment."
. I'VE are convinced" the Clay
foreign aid report said, that in
several Of these countries. indigo
nous forces are larger than re-
quired for their immediate mis-
sion of defense and not large
enough to assume other missions.
There. phased reductions Of a
very substantial order appear
practical"
The report did not list the
over-armed nations by name, but
most observers believe that Gen.
Clay and his colleagues had
South Korea. among others, In
mind.
Korea's army Of 100000 is as
large as midas even though Ko-
rea's population Of % million is
20 times smaller than that of
India. This force. built up after
the Korean War to deter any
future attacks from the north,
has been q heavy burden on the
United States treasury. More
than 50 billion in American mill
tary aid has been sent to Korea
(plus So billion In economic help
since lo45. This tremendous total
has not always had beneficial
results.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Changes His Mind

In January. when politicians
we're again allowed to organize
parties. political debate was as
disorganized as ever. Moreover,
scandals arose within the Korean
Central Intelligence Agency, head
ed by Gen. Parks right-hand
man. Gen. Kim Chong Pill. His
forced exile In February as well
as q widespread power struggle
within the military led Gen. Park
to announce, In disgust. that he
was retiring from political life.
This decision lasted about q
month. On March is - in ire
sponse" to the call Of many Of
ficers-Gen. Park banned all po-
litical activity and said the peo-
pie would be asked to vote on a
referendum extending military
rule for four more years under
his control.
This setback TO hopes for po-
litical democracy led to street
demonstrations two weeks ago in
Seoul and public statements by
outraged politicians. The United
States. worried about Korea's fu-
ture, has urged Gen. Park TO
meet the civilians halfway and
10 arrange an end TO the mill
tary dictatorship.
The State Department on Mon
day warned that prolongation OF
the junta's rule could cause "a
threat 10 stable and effective
government" Washington's pub
lie and private urging has forced
Gen. Park TO meet with the
civilians and suggest q compro-
mise. II does not seem likely,
however. that the civilians, led
by Yum Po Sung. will accept any
thing less than free elections.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
BIomes Press

1t revealed that Mr.. Mcnamara
was deeply unhappy over the hear
ings, but was unwilling. when
asked directly, to urge that they
be halted. In this he reminded
observers Of the approach Sena-
tor Symington. Democrat Of Mis-
souri,, took on the Senate floor
In kicking off a Tx debate on
March 81. The Senator con-
tended that the hearings were
hurting morale" at the Penta-
gon and recommended that they
be wound up expeditiously.
The Defense chief. who blamed
the newspapers and not the sub
committee for implications Of po-
litical influence in the contract
award, told the Senators:
II think there is going to be
tremendous harm done to many
individuals as a result Of this
hearing"
Evening star., 1963-03-31

ert F. Kennedy, the man regarded
as the second most powerful Of
ficial in Government who often
has acted as his brothers trouble
shooter in difficult and delicate
matters.
The Secretary asked that the
Chairman put a list Of questions
to certain Pentagon military wit
nesses who were scheduled to tes-
tify. The Chairman agreed to this
unusual request. AS for the reason
behind the Attorney Generals
presence. none Of the principals
shed any light. Some observers,
however, interpreted 1t as an in
dication that the President was
seeking a way in which the hear
ings could be pushed to a rapid
conclusion in the least damag-
ing - to the administration
manner.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
THE NATIONAL SCENE
The Tx WranqIe:
Strong Men Joust

The remarkable controversy
within-a-controversy between
the Mcclellan Subcommittee
and Defense Secretary Nc
Namara over the Tx fighter
bomber contract award con-
tinued last week as Attorney
General Kennedy entered the
picture.
At his most recent news con-
ference, on March 81, President
Kennedy was asked about the Bit
ter row which was swirling about
the Pentagon decision naming the
General Dynamics Corp. winner Of
q competition for q contract to
build an exotic new Mayfair
Force supersonic warplane, now
called the Tx (Tactical Fighter,
ExperimentaD.
Mr.. Kennedy fully backed his
Defense Secretary, Robert Strange
McNamara, the man who picked
General Dynamics despite the fact
that the rival Boeing Airplane Co.
submitted a lower bid and was
the choice of Air Force and Navy
military experts. (Mr. McNamara's
stated reasons: Boeing proposed,
in effect, two different planes and
its cost estimates were "un-
realistically" low)
Evening star., 1963-03-31
u. S. Hesit0ncy

As in many underdeveloped
countries. the arrival Of large
scale American aid has been fol-
lowed quickly by initiation. high
level corruption and q seeming
inability Of the funds TO get 10
the areas where they are most
needed.
In Korea, the size Of the mill
tary establishment In a country
lacking q democratic past has
been a crucial political factor.
BY It's very numbers and eco
nomic power. the army has had
a strong say In who controls the
South Korean government-even
at the cost Of what Washington
would like.
For many years, syngman
Rhee ruled Korea with a hard
hand. Mr.. Rhee. q Korean ma
tionalist hero. bad the support
OF the military. but he alienated
large segments OF Korea's society
by his authoritarian ways.
In April. 1850. q popular revolt.
spurred by students in the capt.
tai city OF Seoul. led 10 Mr.. Rhee's
resignation a. President. and the
first truly popular and unrigRed
election In South Korea. The
United States Government sup
ported the grievances Of the rev.
olutionaries and reportedly pres
sured the aging Mr.. Rhes 10 step
down.
The new government Of John
Chang was elected by democratic
means, but II failed 10 wipe out
Evening star., 1963-03-31
The WEEK IN PERSPECTIVE
Cuba: Of ExiIes and Russians

Conditions In the Caribbean
remained tense last week. The
Soviet Union protested twice TO
the United States against raids
by Cuban exiles on Russian
ships in and around Cuba.
Cuban Jet fighters fired near
an American merchant ship
Gin error" on Thursday.
To the White House on Friday
came President Kennedy's top
military and political advisers.
They were joined by the admin
istration's Cuban and Soviet ex-
perts for a special meeting Of
the National Security Council.
Originally lust a meeting Of
the smaller eight-man executive
committee Of the NSc had, been
called, but under the press Of
growing tensions in the Caribbean,
Mr.. Kennedy ordered the full
council to gather.
On the agenda were two broad
and crucial problems-one dealing
with the Soviet Union, the other
with the Castro Cubans.
Ever since last October, the ad-
ministration has treated the
Cuban crisis as primarily q cold
war issue. Over Castro's objec-
tions, the United States and the
Soviet Union have carried on di-
rect negotiations about the Soviet
weapons and troops on Cuban soil.
Evening star., 1963-03-31

been tarnished, since he has
gone back on his word to restore
constitutional liberties.
This lack Of confidence in Gen.
Park has not gone unnoticed in
Japan where the nkeda govern
ment has been discussing estab-
lishment Of diplomatic relations
with Korea. Postwar friction be-
tween the two countries long had
made 1t politically impossible for
q normal state Of relations TO
exist. Now. the cancellation Of
elections has led to calls for end
ing the talks by several japanese
political parties.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Last Day of March

With today the last day Of
March, there has been no indica-
ton that the Russians removed
many additional troops. Thus, the
National Security Council has to
decide on an American policy on
these Russians who the admins
tration has said are "unaccept-
able" in this hemisphere.
Complicating the administra-
tion's problems are the passion
ately anti Castro Cubans who live
primarily in Miami.
Although they are grateful to
the United States for offering
them a haven. not all have agreed
with American policy on Cuba.
The dissenters feel that the United
States let them down twice: once
az the Bay Of Pigs by not provid-
ing sufficient support, and during
last October's crisis when they say
the Russians would not have
started q war II we had invaded
Cuba.
The exiles believe that Castro
will fall only II he Is pushed. The
administrations general policy Of
isolating Cuba - Of building a
"wall'' around him as Mr.. Ken
nedy said In San Jose-won't get
them back TO Cuba soon. they feel.
For obvious. irrational reasons.
the exiles would generally like TO
see the United States armed
forces committed to capturing
Cuba from the Communists as we
once captured Cuba from the
Spaniafds.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Exile Attacks

This feeling has been translated
into deeds. Well-publicized raids
by various Cuban exile groups,
with such exotic titles as Alpha
66. Commando L, Sons Of the
Escambray. have been made on
Cuban and Russian property. The
two most recent ones. the attack
on March 17-l8 against a Rus
sian ship. Lgov, and the Soviet
freighter Baker on Tuesday. fur
ther complicated the international
scene.
Coming at a time when the
United States is trying TO re-
duce Russia's presence In the
hemisphere, the attacks may give
the Soviet Union an excuse TO
strengthen It's forces. The notes
from Moscow protesting the at
tacks we're sent 10 the United
States. even though the State
Department had earlier depre-
Gated them and said they achieve
nothing.
The Soviet notes said that the
attacks are contrary 10 the agree
ment reached between the gov
ernments Of the USSR and the
United States on the settlement
Of the crisis In the Caribbean
area
The National Security coun-
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Impact in Japan

II remains 10 be seen what ac-
ton Washington takes II Gen.
Park does not heed It's advice.
The Clay committee report might
lead 10 action toward reducing
the American commitment IN
Korea-s345 million last year
but no one expects such a stern
step In the light OF q real mill
tary threat from China.
From the Korean point OF view.
the military has now alienated
itself from the majority OF re-
sponsible Korean political lead
ers. The image OF Gen. Park has
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Britain:
Wilson Visit

Harold Wilson, Labor Party
leader, arrived in Washington
on Friday for talks with Presi-
dent Kennedy and other Amer
lean officials. His visit comes
at a time Of growing political
popularity for the Labor Party
evidenced by victories in three
recent by-electiOns.
In his first four weeks as leader
Of the Labor Party, Harold Will
son has made himself widely
known throughout Great Britain.
He has given % public speeches,
nine television interviews. nine ra-
dio interviews and has held IL
press conferences.
In addition, Transport House
reported that Mr.. Wilson received
more than 200 requests from for
eign journalists for exclusive"
interviews with him. QIe refused
them all) His most important
interview so far, however, will be
held tomorrow in the White House
with q former journalist, John r.
Kennedy.
Mr.. Kennedy Is expected to try
to determine whether Mr.. Wilson
will prove as good an ally, II
elected Prime Minister in the next
general election, as Harold Mac
milan, the Conservative incum-
bent.
This win indeed be a difficult
task, for Mr.. Wilson is q poll
tician without a well-advertised
program. He seems to attack an
issue with the same pragmatiC
approach as the President
and with the same respect fol-
all sides Of an issue as Mr.
Kennedy.
Evening star., 1963-03-31

Mr.. Wilson will undoubtedly try
10 win Mr.. Kennedy's confidence
in his ability 10 lead Britain.
Most likely. Mr.. Kennedy will be
looking over Mr.. Wilson as the
future Prime Minister. Three re-
cent by-elections have been won
by the Labor Party with the Con-
servatiyes trailing far behind.
Most political observers believe
that at the present moment, La
Dor Is far ahead Of the Tories.
The election does not have 70
be held until next year, but Mr..
Wilson already has launched an
energetic campaign. His trip TO
the United States. and q sched-
uled visit to Moscow In June, ara
meant 10 raise his international
stature at home.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
Weapons and Troops

Under the threat Of war, Mr..
Khrushchev withdrew what the
administration is satisfied were
the offensive missiles and Jet
bombers that were sent to Cuba
by the Russians. These offensive"
weapons were the cause Of last
October's dangerous crisis in the
Caribbean.
After the withdrawal Of the
weapons, the administration began
calling for the withdrawal Of the
estimated 1900 Soviet troops
advisers and technicians who
were on the island. These men,
Secretary Of Defense MacNamara
has said, posed no offensive
threat to the United States or the
rest Of the Americas. but their
presence worked against the res
toration Of stability in the area.
They also became q domestic
political issue in the United States.
Moreover, with the big Soviet
weapons gone, there seemed TO be
no reason for the Russians to re-
main, If their original function
was to protect the missiles and
bombers. As controversy ragged in
this country on the troop issue,
Mr.. Khrushchev promised Mr..
Kennedy in February that "sev-
eral thousand" Russians would be
removed by the middle Of March.
The middle Of March passed
with about 5000 troops having
been withdrawn-an estimate de-
veloped by American reconnais-
sance planes which photographed
the Russians on the docks and
aboard ships. At his press confer
ence on March 81, Mr.. Kennedy
said, THE month Of March is not
u
Evening star., 1963-03-31
On the Att0ek

So far. Mr.. wilson's public
statements have dwelt on the OBJ
vious problems confronting the
British government. Wherever
possible. he has attacked Mr..
Macmillan's government for NOS
doing enough-or, as in the de.
cision to build nuclear subma.
rines with Polaris missiles, for
spending too much. He does sup
port strong NATO, however.
The British political scene to-
day is complicated by q number
Of factors, some Of which cannot
be directly attributed to the gov
ernment. They include:
Q AS q result of q terribly bitter
winter. and aggravated by her
failure to gain admittance to the
Common Market, Britain's econ
omy has run into trouble. Unem-
ployment reached q high Of about
100000, and although 1t has fallen
to 100000 in recent weeks, there
had been much agitation In trade
union circles for more action" to
speed up the economy.
Although the unemployed rate
is only about 3 per cent Of the
working force-it Is 6 per cent
here - the unionists and Labor
Party leaders have been making
this a major issue. The riots out
side Parliament ON Tuesday
stemmed from the efforts Of 5000
demonstrators to gain entrance to
Parliament to lobby among the
MPs.
Q The British government has
declared its intention to expand
Britain's export industries. Pre-
sumably. these plans will be elab-
GRATED upon after the new Brit
ish budget Is published this week.
Many British economists are urg-
ing a tax cut to spur the economy.
. AS part Of the export program,
Britain is reported to be seeking
more markets In the Communist
bloc despite disapproval by the
United States. Red China has
had a goodwill" trade delega-
ton in Britain presumably seek
ing TO place orders for goods It
cannot get from the Soviet Union.
The British government also
announced 1t would not try TO
block the sale Of large-gauge steel
pipe 10 the Soviet Union. badly
needed by the Reds 10 complete
oil and gas pipelines from Russia
10 Eastern and. perhaps. Western
Europe. The United States previ-
ously was able TO prevail on West
Germany and japan TO block sale
OF such pipe. ruled strategic" by
Washington and NATo.
Evening star., 1963-03-31
The Cooperation

He also asserted that he did
not believe the subcommittee
could sort out the facts so that,
In Senator McClellan's words.
there will be no further doubt
about what the truth Is" But he
pledged that he would cooperate
in every way possible" in the in
quiry.
Mr., Mcnamara began to "co-
operate" in a rather unorthodox
way on Wednesday when he ap-
peared in Chairman McClellan's
office with Attorney General Rob-
Evening star., 1963-03-31
The Question Why

The obvious question arising
from this business is this one:
II Mr.. Mcnamara is so certain
he made the right Tx decision
why is the Pentagon civilian high
command, three months after the
Continued on Page BE-
Evening star., 1963-03-31

tured without helping them to
the fullest. These are the con-
tingencies the Soviet Presidium
must discuss.