PROMPT STEPS TO GET ARMS AID THROUGH Some Opposition To The Wide Powers Asked

Wanganui Chronicle, 27 July 1949, Page 5

PROMPT STEPS TO GET ARMS AID THROUGH Some Opposition To The Wide Powers Asked

WASHINGTON, July 25 (Recd. 6 pm).—Administration leaders moved today for fast action on the Arms Aid Bill in both Houses, but there wa s immediate opposition to adoption of the measure as drafted. Even in some Administration quarters there was a disposition to go closely into the question of how big the arms programme should be.

Senator Arthur Vanderberg, a Republican Foreign Policy leader, said: “The President’s emphasis bn collective security is sound, but my first impression is that his programme must be rewritten and curtailed to get action at this session of Congress. It is too wide in scope, and too genera: in grant of power, it ignores the machinery which the North Atlantic Pact provides for its own implementation. The statement of policy puts too much emphasis on arms.”

Senator Robert Taft (Republican) declared that the arms programme virtually demanded that Congress substantially abdicate all functions relating to foreign policy. He said it would authorise the State Department and Defence Department to make alliances throughout the world, and “involve us in any and all wars, civil or external, going on anywhere in the world.”

“I doubt if any President has ever demanded such tremendous powers in war or in peace,” he said. The House Speaker, Mr. Sam Rayburn (Democrat), who said the House Foreign Affairs committee would hold hearings promptly, described the Arms programme as vitally necessary if the Atlantic Pact was to be made “a-s-effective as we hope it will be.” In order to get quick action the Senates Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committee may hold joint meetings on the Bill.