The Nome Nugget

Senate GOPs to Fight for Early Answer on EDC From France, Italy

WASHINGTON. (AP) Senate Republican Leader Knowland of California said Tuesday he still believes the United States must get a definite answer soon from France regarding German participation in the anti-Communist European Defense Community.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee by an 8-5 vote Monday softened a Knowland-backed proposal to cut off military aid to France and Italy on Dec. 31 unless they ratify EDC by the end of this year but Knowland told reporters he believes "some acceptable formula may be worked out" to get a tougher form of that provision.
Knowland indicated that he and other Senate Republican leaders will continue their fight on the Senate floor.
The Foreign Relations Committee, yielding to State Department appeals, reversed itself on the cut-off provision and accepted a less stringent plan adopted earlier by the House.
Knowland said the Foreign Relations Committee should complete action during the day on the new $3,100,000,000 foreign aid authorization and pass the measure along to the Senate Armed Services Committee for action.
The proviso on aid to France and Italy is in that measure.
"We'll wait and see what the Armed Services Committee does," Knowland said.
He commented that West German man leaders have been waiting several years for a definite answer from France about participation in EDC.
"There is a feeling of restlessness in Germany," he said. "I believe they are entitled to a decision one way or the other."
He added, "It is not in our national interest nor the interest of the free world to continually put off a decision by France."
Knowland would not comment on Secretary of State Dulles' closed-door appeal to the Foreign Relations Committee which led up to the committee's change of stand.
Neither would he comment on Dulles' flight to Paris for a talk with French and British leaders.