PRESIDENT TRUMAN URGED TO MAKE NEW APPEAL TO RUSSIA

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 July 1949, Page 5

PRESIDENT TRUMAN URGED TO MAKE NEW APPEAL TO RUSSIA

WASHINGTON, July 23 (Recd. 7 p.m.)—Senator Arthur Vandenberg, Republican Foreign Policy leader’ tonight urged Mr. Truman to begin a new effort to reach agreement with Russia to reduce arms and strengthen the United Nations. Mr. Vandenberg envisaged an arms reduction programme under dependable guarantees and a curb on the United Nations veto power. At the same time, Mr Vandenberg said Mr. Truman’s arms for Europe programme to be submitted to Congress on July 25 should be confined to a “relatively short interim period." He said any long term military aid plan | under the Atlantic Pact should not be submitted to Congress until 1950, and should await development of the selfhelp defence programme under the treaty. Mr. Vandenberg’s statement came as a surprise on the eve of the Presidential message to urge earlv action on a huge initial »ms aid programme. Mr. Vandenberg made it Hear that at this stage the arms nlan does not bear the stamn of nnnroval of the bi-parti-son foreign policy leaders. Mr. Vandenberg called on Mr. Truman to re-emphasise the objectives of strengthening the United Nations and "as a last resort.” calling a general conference to revise the United Nations charters.