DECLARATIONS OF WAR

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27302, 19 March 1954, Page 11

DECLARATIONS OF WAR

Powers Claimed By Eisenhower WASHINGTON, March 17. President Eisenhower said today that any American President should be hanged ii he failed to take immediate action to repel an air attack on the United States without waiting lor Congress te declare war. The President discussed at his press conference the implications of the United States defence policy of instant, massive retaliation against aggression on the territory of the United States or its Allies. . . In particular, reporters wanted to know whether the . earlier statement by him last week meant that the President would have to wait until Congress had been convened-apd declared war before he could take action to defend the x United States against attack. Mr Eisenhower replied that he did not back away from that generalisation, but he wanted to take an extreme case. Suppose, he said as he was answering the question, there came a flash that a fleet of .enemy aeroplanes was approaching the United Spates from the south with the intention of spreading destruction in the country. He was sure no one would hold him guiltless if he were to do nothing and wait for Congress to discuss the situatlCThe President pointed out that modern weapons were so powerful that more than ever before they gave the attacker a tremendous advantage, and the element of surprise had been increased greatly by the possibility of creating quick and widespread destruction. , . , ~ , Therefore, any President should be impeached—no. hanged—if he did no.t do what was demanded of him in an emergency.