751G.5 MSP/9–1054
Memorandum by the Secretary of State to the Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (Cutler)1
Subject:
- Congressional Reaction to Indochina Program
Senator George2 felt that the decision was a proper one.
Senator Russell3 felt that the French had out-traded us and that they could probably carry more of the burden if forced to. In the [Page 807] end, he seemed fairly satisfied but it is recommended that Admiral Radford or General O’Daniel, or both, should arrange to have a talk with him the next time Senator Russell is in the City.
Congressman Richards4 agreed that the proposal should be adopted. He based his conclusion primarily on the JCS view. With respect to appropriations for this purpose for fiscal ’55, he intimated that he would reserve judgment until he could study developments. He stated that he has always supported the transferability clause and thinks it perfectly appropriate for the President to use the power given him. He expressed appreciation at being consulted on something the President clearly had the authority to do without congressional action.
Congressman Vorys5 discussed very thoroughly the question of additional aid for Indochina and the reasons underlying the Administration’s thinking in this regard. Mr. Vorys expressed himself, after thorough discussion, as having no objection to the transfer of funds from Title I to Title III. He did, however, express strong misgivings on three points: (1) the end use of the additional U.S. aid, a part of which would go into troop pay, and the precedent that this would set; (2) the fact that this additional aid is justified in terms closely resembling the arguments used in justification of the request for the $400 million special aid for France and Indochina appropriated in the last session of Congress; (3) the fact that some of the additional U.S. aid would make up for a cutback in the French budgetary support for Indochina.
Mr. Vorys was told that the Administration also felt keenly these points, but that the alternative of not granting additional aid was so bad as to appear unacceptable to the U.S. In conclusion, Mr. Vorys continued to express his misgivings, but agreed that he would not express any strong objections to the move. He expressed appreciation of the Administration’s consideration in consulting the congressional leaders.
Assistant Secretary
- Drafted by Thruston B. Morton, Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations, and Ben H. Brown, Jr., Deputy Assistant Secretary.↩
- Walter F. George of Georgia, ranking minority member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.↩
- Richard B. Russell of Georgia, ranking minority member of the Senate Armed Services Committee; member of the Appropriations Committee.↩
- James P. Richards of South Carolina, ranking minority member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.↩
- John M. Vorys of Ohio, member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.↩