Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-09-10
Dirksen Presses for Bipartisan Unity
Continued From Page Al


weight to the political con-
SiderationS Of creating a better
atmosphere for negotiation be-
tween the Communist and free
worlds.
The Senator praised Repub-
lican Leader Dirksen for put
ting the treaty in its proper
non-partisan framework by
indorsing it yesterday.
Senator DirkSen said he
doubts the opposition of Sena-
tor Russell, chairman of the
Armed Services Committee, has
made any substantial change
in the outcome.
Senator RuSselIs colleague,
Democratic Senator Talmadge
Of Georgia, said he has not
made up his mind, adding:
"0n the basis of present
knowledge, I am inclined to
vote for the treaty. But that
is not a commitment. because
I have not read all of the testi-
mony before the Foreign Rela-
tons Committee and the Pre-
paredneSs subcommittee"
Southern Split Seen
The Southern Democrats APP
parently will be split on the
issue, in which case the esti-
mate of fewer than 20 votes
against the treaty probably will
be borne out. There may not
be more than five Republicans
and 10 or IL Democrats, main
ly from the South, voting no"
If there are no more verbal
fireworks later on than there
were on the opening day, the
discussion of this treaty will
not rank among great Senate
debates, such as the League of
Nations fight or the NATO al
lance.
Chairman Fulbright of the
Foreign Relations Committee
was joined by Republican
Senator Saltonstall of MaSSa-
chusetts and the Presidents
brother, Democratic Senator
Edward Kennedy of Massachu-
sets in opening-day speeches
for the treaty. None of the OPP
ponentS took the floor yester-
day.
3. Senator Fulbright was inter-
rupted occasionally by col
leagues asking questions, but
the nearest thing to a criticism
was the query by Senator Mil
!. Ter, Republican of Iowa, as to
whether it is wise for the Sem
!, ate to ratify the treaty until
= the Supreme PreSidium in the
= Soviet Union has acted.
Senator Fulbright said his in
!, formation is that the treaty has
received committee approval
and is awaiting action in the
PreSidium. He suggested toI
: Senator Miller that there is not
. much doubt about what the
] Presidium will do.
Boosts Bipartisan Stand
\ Senator Dirksen became a.
key figure in the treaty fight
when he announced yesterday
he will support it. He made the
announcement on the White
!. House steps after President
: Kennedy agreed to write a let
. ter to clear up some of the
: questions raising doubts in the
3 minds of some Senators.
Z This is not the first time
Senator Dirksen has moved in
to strengthen bipartisan for
eign policy. He did the same
, thing in the last Congress
when President Kennedy was
7 having trouble getting author
ity to pass a bond issue to
keep the United Nations going.
Senator Dirksen plans to
make his speech in favor of
the treaty tomorrow and ex-
poets to read to the Senate at
! that time the letter President
Kennedy is preparing.
Senator DirkSen did not dis
. close all the questions that
may be dealt with in the Presi-
dents letter, but indicated
they would include the steps
; that will be taken to keep this
) country ready to resume test
ing in the atmosphere if the
> treaty should be broken, what
will be done to expand and
> improve this country's detec-
ton system and possibly some
: reference to atomic explosions
) for peaceful uses, such as the
: digging of tunnels and canals.
Senator Dirksen revealed
that the meeting between him
self, Democratic Leader Mans
field and the President was
suggested by the Republican
leader, who felt that the Presi-
dent, rather than his subordi-
mates should clarity the ques-
tons that we're troubling some
. Senators.
Cites Three Queries
: In urging ratification of the
: treaty yesterday, Senator Sal
:, tonStall mentioned three of the
2 questions he believes should be
) clarified before action is taken.
One was what constitutes an
= underground explosion which
: would still be permitted. He
: suggested it should be defined
as one which occurs far below