KENNEDY CALLS FOR HUGE EXPENDITURE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 13

KENNEDY CALLS FOR HUGE EXPENDITURE

(AZ, Preu Assn.—Copvrtglit) WASHINGTON, May 25. President Kennedy called on the United States Congress today to strengthen the armed forces, increase foreign aid, and make 8000 m. to 9000 m. dollars available for rocketing a man to the moon. President Kennedy summoned the legislators and the nation to undertake “a great positive adventure** on behalf of freedom everywhere.

His message—a second report on the State of the Union—was for delivery in person before a joint SenateHouse session, almost on the eve of the President’s departure for abroad.

It was broadcast and telecast by major networks. Official sources put the actual amount of increased expenditure at 724 m dollars. He asked for 1500 m dollars in new appropriations now to get on with his programmes plus a recognition from Congress and the country that thousands of millions more will be required in the future. ‘The nation faces an extraordinary challenge to protect the jeopardised freedom of the world. “It is a contest of will and purpose as well as force and violence—a battle for minds and souls as well as lives and territory,” he said.

Freedom The United States was determined, as a nation, "that freedom shall survive and succeed—and whatever the peril and the setbacks, we have some very large advantages." The United States "should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safelv to earth,” he said. This would require additional expenditure of 531 m dollars this year "and still higher sums in the future.” The Government proposed to accelerate development of the appropriate lunar space craft, to develop alternate liquid and solid fuel boosters much larger than any now being developed, until they were certain which was superior. “Tn a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the moon—it will be an entire nation.” the President said. "All of us must work to put him there." Southern Hemisphere He had not come to Congress to present a new military doctrine bearing any one name or aimed at any one area, he said. “I am here to promote the freedom doctrine. The great battleground for the defence and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern

half of the globe—Asia. Latin America. Africa and the Middle East—the lands of the rising peoples." The President said that one of the assets of the United States was its desire for peace. The response of the Soviet Union at the nuclear test ban negotiations and in other ways had not been encouraging. “Ye<t it is important that they should know that our patience at the bargaining table is nearly inexhaustible, though our credulity is limited—that our hopes for peace are unfailing, while our determination to protect our security is resolute." In wide-ranging proposals for reinforcing United States’ miUjary strength to deter or resist non-nuclear aggression, the President said he had directed the Secretary of Defence “to expand rapidly and substantially the orientation of existing forces for the conduct of non-nuclear war, para-military operations and sublimited or unconventional wars." Special Forces In addition the United States’ special forces and unconventional warfare units would be increased and reoriented. He announced that he had also directed the Secretary to undertake a complete reorganisation and modernisation of the army’s divisional struc-

ture to increase its nonnuclear firepower. He said the army was developing plans to make possible a much more rapid deployment of a major portion of its highly-trained reserve forces. In spite of the failure of Russian negotiators at Geneva to respond to American proposals for a safeguard and effective nuclear test ban treaty, “we intend to go the last mile in patience.” “We are determined to keep disarmament high on our agenda—to make an intensified effort to develop acceptable political and technical alternatives to the present arms race." Associating the United States with the aspirations of the new nations of Asia and Africa, Mr Kennedy said: “We stand for the democratic revolution of social progress. We stand for diversity, honest disagreements, and mutual respect. “But the facte of the matter are that we in the West have not sufficiently mobilised our resources, demonstrated our aims, or inspired and supported the necessary spirit of local reform tel help these new revolutions find success in constructive pursuits.

“Merely Defensive” “Too often we have accepted a merely defensive role. Too often we have let ourselves appear as friends of the status quo.” The President told the assembled Senate and House: “I have not asked for a single programme which did cause one or all Americans some inconvenience, or some hardship, or some sacrifice. “But they have responded —you in Congress have responded—and I feel confident in asking today for a similar response to these new and larger demands. “It is heartening to know, as I journey abroad, that our country is united in its commitment to freedom —and ready to do its duty." New Programmes President Kennedy asked the backing of Congress and the nation for the following "necessary” measures: Space.—For the year immediately ahead 679 m dollars additional to work on shooting for the moon, developing; a nuclear rocket, accelerating; use of communications satel-j lites. and speeding up a, satellite world-wide weather; observation programme. | Army.—A complete re-I organisation and modernisa-i tion. Nuclear Protection. A tripling of funds for all-out, shelters, warning measures, | stockpiles of food, medi-, cines and supplies. Cost in' the next fiscal year: about; 312 m dollars.

Foreign Aid.—s3sm dollars' to help foreign nations re-' sist “imperialism from without and subversion from! within." This would bring] the total for the next fiscal year to 2650 m dollars. Unemployment. A new manpower and development training programme for people jobless because of new machines or other changes. United States Information Agency.—l2lm dollars more for radio-televiaion broadcasts in Latin America and South-east Asia. Disarmament.—A strengthened disarmament administration to seek ways to end the arms race. Marine*.—A 60m dollar increase in funds to raise Marine Corps strength to 190,000 men, and thus strengthen its initial impact and its staying power. “Brash Fire” Forces.— Special forces and unconventional warfare units will be increased and so deployed and equipped that “they can be quickly moved to meet any outbreak of trouble.” Military Aid.—A 225 m dollar boost above toe previously requested 1600 m dollars to help other ration* make their independence secure in a battle now “reaching its most crucial stage.” United States MeHlgenee Operations.—The whole effort will be reviewed. Without being specific. Mr Kennedy promised whatever "new organfeation, policies and control are necessary to ensure toe maximum coordination and use of all political, economic and psychological resources.” Unemployment —Measures to aid the unemployed and employ jobless youths fully will be submitted to Congress shortly. Racial.—Mr Kennedy urged toe American people, students and visitors from other countries to show friendship to other lands, and “to practise democracy at home—in all States, with all races.” Economic Aid Abroad.— A 250 m dollar increase—raising toe total to 2650 m dollars.