OPINION IN CONGRESS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27632, 13 April 1955, Page 13

OPINION IN CONGRESS

Divided Views On Policy (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 11. Senator Walter George, Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said tonight that he agreed in general with the outline of a Formosan policy suggested by Mr Adlai "Stevenson in a broadcast address today. Senator George said that if the Soviet Union could be induced to join m a declaration against the use of force in the Formosa area, Communist China might never launch an attack there. “That is one of the strong reasons why we suggested a top-level conference,” Senator George said. “We could make the attempt at such a conference to get an agreement. The rub lies in getting Russia to agree to anything. I am not sure it could be done, but it is worth trying.” The Senator previously had proposed a new meeting of the heads of State of the Big Powers. Senator George also praised Mr Stevenson’s statement that unity among the allies was essential to the ultimate success of any Formosa policy. In spite of Senator George’s approval of his main points, there was some sharp criticism of Mr Stevenson’s views among several other Congressmen. Senator Bourke Hickenlooper (Republican, Iowa) said Mr Stevenson appeared to be “preaching a doctrine of defeatism.” Senator George Aiken (Republican, Vermont) said he did not think it would be wise “to tell the world what we are going to do about Quemoy and Matsu now.” “Of course we would not have to worry about the islands if we got a firm declaration from Communist China that we could believe,” he added. “But a declaration by other nations isn’t going to control China.” Senator Joseph McCarthy (Republican, Wisconsin) commented: “While the crowd surrounding Eisenhower is bad enough, Adlai here gives us a clearer picture of how much worse it would have been . . . had he been elected.” Senator John McClellan (Democrat, Arkansas) said he did not believe the Communists should be allowed to seize “stepping stones for an invasion of Formosa.” He added that he was willing to trust the judgment of President Eisenhower on what steps should be taken to an attack on Formosa. Senator Spessard Holland (Democrat, Florida) said the nation must rely on President Eisenhower for proper and considerate handling of the dispute over Quemoy and Matsu. Senator Styles Bridges (Republican. New Hampshire), chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, said that Mr Stevenson’s speech further indicated to him “that one more ■ national leader is travelling down the road of appeasement.” Senator John Stennis (Democrat Mississippi) said that Mr Stevenson’s comments on the possibility of the United States losing the support of its allies was “a point of major importance—one that must be very carefully weighed.”