The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-10-22
WASHINGTON, Oct. 81

V&AAJAA AANA oAN, wv. "a
military coup in oilrich. Com
munist-threatened Venezuela will
be Immediately countered by
armed U. S. intervention.
Unlike Honduras and the De-
minican Republic. where U. S.
reaction against the recent
coups consisted of withdrawing
its ambassadors and cutting off
economic and military aid, arm
ed forces would be rushed to
Venezuela to restore constitu-
tional government.
President Kennedy has defini-
tely decided on that. and has so
informed the State and Defense
Departments and leaders Of the
Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee.
President Romulo Betancourt
also has been told of this NOM
entous decision. He is ready to
formally request U. s. interven-
ton in the event Of the over
throw of his long -embattled re-
CINE.
In preparation for possible re-
course to U. S. troops, the adj
ministration already has set the
wheels in motion to get Senate
backing for such explosive ac-
ton.
For this purpose a bipartisan
antijunta resolution has been
sponsored by Senator Wayne
Morse, D Ore, head Of the
Foreign Relations subcommittee
on Latin America, and Senator
Jacob Javits, R-N. Y. The pro
posal calls for three measures
TO counter military coups
a. Denial of diplomatic re-
cognition. % cancellation Of
u S. assistance programs to re-
glmes established by military
JuntaS. 49, authorize the
President to cooperate with and
assist any nation or group of
nations in the protection Of its
territorial integrity and political
Independence from aggression or
subversion by any ration or
from any source controlled by
international Communism.
The last provision is the most
significant and far-reaching. It
opens the way for armed inter
vention by the u S.
That is the view of Senate
Democratic Whip Hubert Hump
hrey, MINI, who favors such
forceful action in Venezuela in
behalf Of President Betancourt.
Governor Munoz Marin of Puer-
to Rico also strongly advocates
it.
WHAT'S BEHIND IT Presi-
dent Kennedy made his decision
to intervene militarily in Ven
ezuela because of three impel-
ling factors.
Urgent intelligence and dlplo-
matte warnings that Venezuela
military leaders are prepared to
seize control and depose Betan-
court because of growing fears
of a Communist uprising led by
Castro agents Betancourt S tern
expires at the end Of this yea
following national election il
December. Under vigorous mill
tary prodding he has FINAL,
cracked down on Castro terror
lists. The military are demanding
still more drastic measures AM
Betancourt, who has a leftis
background, is on the spot.
A military coup in Venezuel;
would almost certainly lead &
S m i ar governmental over
throws in Brazil, Colombia ant
Ell Salvador In each Of thes,
countries. powerful military ele
ments are increasingly restiv,
over the growing infiltration ant
strength of Communists in TIL,
existing governments. All thes'
governments are definitel,
threatened by military take-ov
ers A coup in Venezuela coult
touch off chain reaction.
A barrage of caustic criticism
by Democratic senator's charg
ing the administration with lack
ing a cohesive and sound polio,
in Latin America, and assailins
the bumbling Alliance for Pro
gress. Senators Morse and Ern
est Gruening, D.-Alaska. in re
peated blasts asserted that more
coups would mean the total dis
Indignation Of the Alliance - Of
which some So billion alread,
has been spent.
Another factor is the Presi
dents personal high regard foI
BetancOurt At a meeting thi.
week of the National Security
Council, top policy making
agency of the government, Thu
President declared his firm de
termination to do everything pos
sible to enable Betancourt t
last out his term and to hold {
free election for a successor.
Il consider the Betancour
government the best in Latil
America" said the President
HE has held out against tire
mendous odds and provoca
tons. and we cannot stand idl,
BY and permit him to be destroy
ed just as he is winding up. Hi
deserves a better fate than that