Early Discussion by United States Senate Of Military Aid Plan

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27043, 30 March 1949, Page 5

Early Discussion by United States Senate Of Military Aid Plan

New Zealand Press Association—Copyright Rec. 9 p.m. WASHINGTON, Mar. 29. A State Department spokesman announced to-day that the United States military aid programme, backing up the North Atlantic pact, would be ready for submission to Congress at the same time as the Treaty of Alliance, probably April. This constitutes a speeding-up of the original programme to implement the North Atlantic Treaty. It is understood that the speed-up is necessitated by the United States Senate’s desire to consider simultaneously the treaty terms and the expenditure in which it is likely to involve the United States taxpayers.

A State Department spokesman said the published estimates of the cost of the arms programme were erroneous because no final figure had yet been decided. The Assistant Secretary of State, Mr Dean Rusk, told reporters that representatives of the North Atlantic Powers who were due to sign the treaty in Washington on April 4 would study, through an international working party, the establishment of the council of North Atlantic Powers provided for in the treaty. Once the arms cost is estimated, possibly this week, the way will be clear for the drafting of the Bill for Congress. It is expected that the Bill will emphasise the mutual self-help aspect of the North Atlantic programme, and that each member, including the United States, will attempt to make up the military deficiencies of the other. This means, in effect, that the majority of equipment and supplies will come from the United States, but Congress is expected to insist on emphasising the “ mutual assistance ” aspects. Senate Democratic leader, Mr Scott Lucas, however, said the Senate would not consider ratification of the North Atlantic Pact until domestic legislation was disposed of. He added that there was little chance of ratification before summer.