The Key West Citizen

Connally heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which called Gen. Alfred M. Gruenther, Eisenhower's chief deputy, before it today for testimony on the $7,900,000,000 foreign aid bill.

Although Congress will have no direct hand in the choice of Eisenhower's successor - if the five-star general resigns to become an active candidate for the Republican presidential nomination - the views of the lawmakers might influence President Truman's decision.

Gruenther is believed to be Eisenhower's personal choice for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) command. But Gruenther has been represented as believing that a European should take over.

In this connection, he is said to have suggested to friends the names of Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Great Britain or Gen. Alphonse-Pierre Juin of France.

Connally told reporters he does not believe the United States should relinquish the top command in an enterprise into which it is pouring so much money.

"I don't see why a Briton should be in command -- the British are not even joining in the unified army Eisenhower is trying to assemble," he said.

Connally added that Gruenther can expect to be questioned in the committee's closed session about the timing of Eisenhower's possible resignation and on Gruenther's recommendations for filling the post.

Senators have made no secret of the fact that they will look over the 53-year-old, fast-talking four-star general appraisingly as a possible successor to Eisenhower.

ability to handle himself in dealings with Congress.