Senator GEORGE. It might militate against the effectiveness of outside movement. Senator HICKENLOOPER. It might be a hazardous and very rash thing to do. WILL TITO BE STRENGTHENED OR WEAKENED? Senator GEORGE. General, let me ask you: Do you think that the death, or fatal illness of Stalin will strengthen or weaken Tito's hand? He is bound to be somewhat affected by the situation, is he not? Mr. SMITH. Yes, Senator. I should say that we will have to wait and see. We will have to wait a little while to know what effect that has on the satellites themselves. Senator GEORGE. Yes. Mr. SMITH. And there, the consideration that Senator Hickenlooper raises, comes into play. I think it was no less a person than our own Benjamin Franklin who had begun to be conscious of the differences that ultimately resulted in the Civil War, and to be acutely alarmed by them, who, in his later years, actually advocated, as the solution, the provocation and embarking on a foreign war on one occasion, to solidify the nation. Now, that is a possibility. Senator HICKENLOOPER. It has been used many times. WILL RED CHINA CHANGE HER ATTITUDE ? Now, do you think that China would likely change her attitude in any respect, speaking of the Red China? Mr. SMITH. Not in the foreseeable future. I should say, Senator, because of the type of alliance which I am inclined to think exists there, it will not be in the foreseeable future, as that is a marriage both of ideology and convenience. Senator GEORGE. They may, for instance, demand more of Russia. Mr. SMITH. They may increase their demands; they may feel they have a less tough man to deal with; I don't know. Senator HUMPHREY. What about the Iranian situation? You only gave us a paragraph or so on that. Senator FULBRIGHT. Before he gets off that last question, Senator Humphrey, let us pursue that one a little further. Senator HUMPHREY. Surely. Senator FULBRIGHT. Supposing these internal differences are acute, and China might sense that Russia is not quite as strong as she was, might it not make it possible to ameliorate her situation in some way. encourage Titoism, if you like? That has always been the hope of the West, if she senses, say in 6 months that this situation isn't going quite well, she will try to take a little insurance out on her side, so that she is not going all the way down with Russia; isn't that a possibility? Mr. SMITH. That is a possibility, Senator. I think the attitude of all of them now is "wait and see." Senator FULBRIGHT. I agree with that entirely. [There was discussion off the record.] The CHAIRMAN. Senator Gillette. Senator GILLETTE. Mr. Chairman, I have just one question. ARE THERE CENTERS OF RESISTANCE IN THE SATELLITES? Mr. Secretary, does Central Intelligence, or any of the intelligence gencies have any information which might justify the hope that vithin any of these satellites, or groups there are centers or nucleii from which this might give an opportunity for revolutionary expression? Mr. SMITH. Senator, I am afraid I cannot very well answer that question. Senator GILLETTE. You mean through lack of information, or that you don't Mr. SMITH. Partly through lack of information and partly, that is one that I don't think I should discuss, but-among the larger ones, I am afraid not at this time. Senator GILLETTE. That is all, Mr. Chairman. THE SITUATION IN IRAN Senator HUMPHREY. I still want to know more about Iran. Is this information most of us have received, that there has been a systematic infiltration from the north to south, across the border of Communist agents-is that corect? I am interested as to whether or not there is any new evidence on the part of our intelligence agencies that tell us that an incipient revolt or coup d'etat might be at hand, like in Czechoslovakia, in view of this conflict between the Premier and the Shah. Mr. SMITH. It is getting more and more dangerous. [There was discussion off the record.] DEALING WITH THE PRESS Senator SMITH. What do you feel we ought to let the press know as to this session this morning? They will all be clamoring for something. Mr. SMITH. I should think that the chairman would make a statement. I am afraid I will have to leave it to his judgment. I have talked for so long; some of it has been off the record and some of it has been on the record. I don't know. I should say you were given a very thorough briefing on the possibilities inherent in the present crisis in Russia, in connection with Stalin's death; and, of course, I would say about that, I have already printed in a book, and I notice it appeared over my bylineSenator FERGUSON. What was that? Mr. SMITH. The Post quoted something from that book I wrote about the Moscow mission in 1950, just about what I have said today about the triumvirate. I am glad to see it hold up well after 3 years. Senator KNOWLAND. That is, the three, Malenkov, Molotov and GUIDANCE FOR THE VOICE OF AMERICA Senator FERGUSON. Is anybody guiding the Voice of America now? For instance, I was asked yesterday to put something on the Voice of America and I declined because I didn't know what to say Mr. SMITH. It is being guided Senator FERGUSON. Who is guiding it in this critical period? You indicated in your opening statement here that this was a very critical crisis. Mr. SMITH. It is in a state of great disturbance at the moment. Dr. [Robert L.] Johnson, the president of Temple University, who was taking over, was on board this morning and he will be up in New York this afternoon. Senator TAFT. For a week, they had better confine themselves to music, I think. Senator FERGUSON. I wouldn't want to go on the Voice of America in connection with this until I know what the policy will be. Mr. SMITH. It is going on as usual. These things occur, but people on the staff keep grinding it out, grind out the work and broadcasts are going on and will be, cautiously and conservatively, and they will be handled in that manner, generally in accordance with what has been outlined-that this is neither a time to cheer nor a time to gloat. [There was discussion off the record.] Mr. SMITH. Lots of people do not really think that Stalin's disappearance from the scene confronts us with what may be a very critical situation over a long period of time. The consideration that Senator Hickenlooper mentioned, and Senator Taft, and others around the table, those situations are all very cogent. Senator HICKENLOOPER. Mr. Chairman, I may have missed this earlier The CHAIRMAN. Senator Hickenlooper. THE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Senator HICKENLOOPER. I was in Southeast Asia for a short time in December and became quite concerned about the Communist activities there in Burma and in Siam. Of course, the Indo-China situation and Malay situation has been with us for a long time. The danger of the Communists taking over of Burma and Siam seems to present quite a problem. Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir. Senator HICKENLOOPER. I just wondered what the situation is down in that area of the world today. IN BURMA Mr. SMITH. In Burma, as you know, the situation is highly complicated by the fact that there is a considerable contingent of Chinese Nationalist troops on Burmese soil, and allegations of overt actions have been made by both sides. They are commanded by a general named Lee Mie, who has a force variously estimated at from 5 to 25.000 men. He undertook about a year and a half ago an ill-fated raid into Yunan, and was driven back, and since then he has been in northern Burma. He has been a source of friction. The Burmese contend that they have had to divert troops to contain him which they otherwise would use against the scattered Communist elements in northern Burma. I don't think he has behaved himself too well. On the other hand, the Burmese have attacked him on one or two occasions and he has beaten them off. The general situation is complicated by what I am afraid has not been very intelligent handling by the Burmese Government, of the Karen and Karshin tribes up there who, as most of you will recall, about a year and a half ago were willing to do almost anything to come to terms with the Burmese Government, and wanted to have some little representation in the Burmese Government, which I am afraid they largely have been denied. Off the record. [There was discussion off the record.] Senator HICKENLOOPER. I don't mean to take up too much time about that. I am familiar with their exportable rice, and all those things. That has been my impression anyway, that there has been an uncertain and unsatisfactory situation for some little time. SIAM Now, there are various allegations of unrest so far as our handling of the situation in Siam is concerned. I don't know the facts fully, but I have some allegations that we have actually-and this is off the record. [There was discussion off the record.] NATIONALIST CHINESE IN INDO-CHINA Senator FERGUSON. Just one question: The Nationalist Chinese in Indo-China, has anything been done, or is there anything being done to get them out of Indo-China? Mr. SMITH. Yes, we have had protracted negotiations with the French, and only yesterday I sent a telegram out to get aonther report up to date on what if anything should be accomplished. Now, there are about 25,000 or 30,000 and so far the French have agreed to allow those who were sick or had something wrong with them to come back. That would be a material contribution to the strength on Formosa. There are a couple of divisions, and the French are unwilling, they are afraid it will antagonize the Chinese Communists, and they have been reluctant to agree to a complete return, but I think so far they have agreed to let some certain ones who are ill or have no direct military potential, go back to Formosa and maybe they would agree to a lot more, at a later date. The CHAIRMAN. Are there any more questions? Senator HICKENLOOPER. There are a lot more questions, but if the general has to go, we will have to let him go. The CHAIRMAN. He has agreed to come up again any time we request him, so probably sometime later, we will ask him to return. Mr. SMITH. I hope this has been helpful. Senator FULBRIGHT. Very. Senator SMITH. Very, sir. [Whereupon, at 12:30 p.m., the committee recessed subject to the call of the Chair.] 72-194-77-vol. V- -18 MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1953 UNITED STATES SENATE, Washington, D.C. The committee met in executive session at 2 p.m. in the committee room. Present: Chairman Wiley, Senators Smith, Hickenlooper, Langer, Ferguson, Knowland, George, Green, Fulbright, Sparkman, Humphrey and Mansfield. The committee first considered a number of pending nominations. The first nomination considered was that of Mrs. Lorena B. Hahn of Nebraska, to be U.S. representative on the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Mrs. Hahn appeared personally before the committee and was accompanied by Senator Griswold. The next nomination was that of William McNear Rand of Massachusetts to be Deputy Director for Mutual Security. Mr. Rand appeared before the committee. Senator Saltonstall appeared in support of Mr. Rands' nomination. Following the appearance of the two nominees, the committee ordered their nominations reported. The committee voted also to report the nomination of Francis White of Maryland to be Ambassador to Mexico. Mr. White appeared before the committee. The committee voted also to report the nomination of Douglas MacArthur, 2d, of the District of Columbia, to be Counselor of the Department of State. The committee voted also to report the nomination of George V. Allen of North Carolina to be Ambassador to India. The nomination of Livingston T. Merchant of New Jersey to be an Assistant Secretary of State was ordered reported. The nomination of Charles E. Bohlen to be Ambassador to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. was postponed at the request of Senator Ferguson, but is expected to be taken up on Tuesday, March 17th. A motion was adopted to permit the Central Intelligence Agency to have a copy of the executive session transcript covering the nomination of Walter Bedell Smith as Under Secretary of State. This hearing was held on February 4, 1953. The committee reconsidered its action of March 3 when it ordered reported the resolution proposed by the President of the United States condemning Soviet enslavement of peoples. The committee agreed to put the resolution on the table without prejudice. The motion was agreed to without objection. For record of proceedings, see official transcript. |