The United Nations has served and must continue to serve as that world forum in which representatives of nations with diverse social, economic, and legal systems may meet to discuss those problems which must be settled on an international basis if the welfare and safety of the world's citizenry is to be promoted and preserved.

In the short span of its existence the United Nations has already made enormous contributions to mankind. It has served as an international forum where nations could make their protests against injustices practiced upon them heard throughout the world. It has mitigated and avoided conflicts in many areas of the world-conflicts which might have involved the whole world in open warfare. It has promoted the health, welfare, and development of many peoples through the continuing efforts of its specialized agencies. It has and is making tremendously important contributions to the development of international law through the international conventions which are concluded under its auspices. It serves as a school for political responsibility as it draws each new ex-colonial country into the family of nations and the maelstrom of world politics.

The total U.S. budget for the United Nations during the past year amounted to only one-third of 1 percent of what we are spending for defense. The $100 million share of the proposed bond issue which the United States is being asked to assume is a minute sum in our public expenditure even if we never got it back. However, it is proposed that these bonds shall be redeemed from the initial assessments which all nations must pay. At all events it is a small price to pay in the cause of peace and the preservation of the United Nations and its effectiveness.

It must be the hope of the peaceloving peoples of the world that one day a strengthened and more powerful United Nations will become the keystone of a world system dedicated to peace and justice under the rule of law.

Hon. JOHN J. SPARKMAN,
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

FEBRUARY 26, 1962.

DEAR JOHN: This is in reply to your letter of February 15, asking me for my views with respect to the proposal now before the Foreign Relations Committee, which would authorize the President to purchase $100 million worth of United Nations bonds, and asking me whether I believe the purchase of such bonds. will serve the national interest.

I do believe that purchase of these bonds, as part of a vigorous U.S. policy to put the United Nations on a sound financial footing, would serve the national interest and I say so for these reasons:

1. The United Nations faces many dangers-including unremitting Soviet hostility and a tendency of other countries to flout it whenever it suits their conveniences. But inadequate funds is the greatest single danger to its continued existence at this time. The fact that only a few nations are in arrears on their payments to the regular budget does not alter the other fact that failure to provide enough funds for the great peacemaking activities of the United Nations in the Gaza strip and in the Congo would drastically destroy its influence and its value and would make the world an infinitely more dangerous place. Either we believe in the United Nations and intend really to make it work, or it will vegetate for awhile and then wither away. Financial support is thus the

crucial test in 1962.

2. The continued existence of the United Nations is a vital American interest. World stability would be much less without it--which is surely one reason why the Soviet Union continually harasses it-and the United States is vitally interested in a stable world. When the United States came to the defense of Korea in 1950, we were very much aided by United Nations support. During my service as U.S. representative, the United Nations played a vital part in bringing about a cease-fire and withdrawal at the time of the dangerous Suez crisis in 1956, and the creation of the United Nations forces in the Gaza strip has converted that area from an explosive to a quiet one. The United Nations validated our action in Lebanon in 1958-a decision of great value. And the creation of the United Nations presence in the Congo has so far prevented that country from becoming the cause of a confrontation between the great powers with the great danger of world war, which such a confrontation would entail.

3. The United Nations must not be supported exclusively, or predominantly, by the United States. Senator Vandenberg well said that if the United States paid most of the bills and the other member states did not pay their share, it would mean that other members did not consider that their membership was

valuable—which in turn would mean the United Nations would eventually be without value for the United States. This has been one reason in recent years for our American effort to bring about a steady diminution in the percentage which the United States pays of United Nations expenses. In the future, the United States should clearly confront United Nations members with the solemn decision as to whether or not they-the members-want the United Nations to continue. No one must think that we will in the future pick up the check and make up the deficit. It is well to be patient and generous, but eventually no nation can continue to evade its responsibility to the United Nations. For its own sake, the United Nations must not become dependent on any one great power.

4. The proposed bond issue is a good way to handle the United Nations financial crisis because interest and amortization are to be covered by the regular United Nations budget. A nation loses its voting rights in the General Assembly if it fails to pay its share of the regular budget-and. perhaps for this reason, the record of payment of the regular dues is good. But, regrettably, a nation does not now lose these rights if it fails to pay its share of the expense incurred for the United Nations forces in the Gaza strip and the Congo; and, perhaps for this very reason, the record of payment for these activities is bad. Financing of the proposed bond issue out of the regular budget means that our American share of funds to repay the bond issue will be 32 percent. This is currently our assessed percentage for regular budget activity. It means further that failure to pay interest and amortization charges will bring about loss of voting rights in the General Assembly. It seems to me a constructive way of handling the matter.

5. We must be realistic-and not sentimental-about the United Nations. It is certainly not perfect. It is sometimes annoying. When it sanctions the use of force other than in self-defense in order to achieve national ends, it stultifies itself dangerously. Its judgments could conceivable become so reckless and so immature as utterly to destroy confidence in it. But this has not happened yet and, in addition to what I listed in paragraph 2, there is much in the United Nations which is hopeful and which justifies a cautious optimism. Much of the work of the Security Council, for example, has tended to promote peace and security. The late Secretary General did much to prevent disputes from becoming acute and the present Secretary General has made an auspicious beginning. And the work done in the fields of health, food, technical assistance, and economic aid generally are both a healing and a construetive world influence.

While the United Nations renders indispensable services, it obviously cannot be our sole reliance for building a peaceful world and the case grows ever stronger for further steps to bring about the cohesive unity of the free world. But, the fact remains that, generally speaking, we Americans have done very well at the United Nations. For the Communists, on the other hand, it is a constant worry. We should stay in it and try to build it up. The pending proposal is the best way to do this at this time.

With best wishes,

Very sincerely yours,

HENRY CABOT LODGE.

Hon. CABOT LODGE,

FEBRUARY 15, 1962.

In care of James W. Barco, The Atlantic Council of the United States, Inc., 1616 H Street NW., Washington, D.C.

DEAR CABOT: As you know, the committee is now considering a proposal of the executive branch which would authorize the President to purchase $200 million worth of United Nations bonds. In view of your wide experience it would be most helpful if I could have, on a personal basis, your views with respect to this proposal, and whether you believe the purchase of such bonds will serve the national interest.

Although, I ask this on a personal basis, I ask permission to make your views known to Members of the Senate.

With best wishes,

Sincerely yours,

JOHN SPARKMAN, Acting Chairman.

UNITED CHURCH WOMEN,

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE U.S.A.,
New York, N.Y., February 21, 1962.

Hon. J. W. FULBRIGHT,

Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR SENATOR FULBRIGHT: Enclosed please find a statement to insert in the record of the hearings being held concerning the U.N. bond issue.

This statement supplements testimony presented by Mr. Vernon Ferwerda of the National Council of Churches, of which United Church Women is a general department, on Monday, February 19. With appreciation for your assistance, Sincerely,

ESTER W. HYMER,

Director, Christian World Relations.
STATEMENT ON U.N. BOND ISSUE, FEBRUARY 21, 1962
Submitted to Senator J. W. Fulbright, Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations
Committee.

From: United Church Women, a general department of the National Council of
Churches of Christ in the United States of America, 475 Riverside Drive,
New York, N.Y.

The general department of United Church Women of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America wishes to place on the record the following information to supplement the statement presented by Mr. Vernon Ferwerda on behalf of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. on Monday, February 19, 1962, at the hearing on the United Nations bond issue held by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The general department of United Church Women is made up of women of the 34 cooperating denominations of the National Council of Churches through 2,300 State and local councils located in 50 States and Washington, D.C. This statement is based on the resolutions adopted at meetings of the national assembly, board of managers, and administrative committee, policymaking bodies composed of elected and appointed representatives of the local and State councils and the cooperating denominations. It does not presume to express the opinion of every individual woman who is a member of one of the churches or councils making up the policymaking bodies.

GENERAL POSITION

Support for the work of the United Nations has been a continuing policy of United Church Women. Support stems from the desire of churchwomen to build toward a world of law and order with peace, justice, and freedom for all peoples, and from their deep sense of Christian responsibility for the welfare of others.

SPECIFIC CONCERNS

United Church Women have asked that special support be given to those programs of the United Nations which are directed toward the improvement in the position of women, wider recognition of fundamental human rights and the dignity of individuals, meeting the needs of women and children, providing care and resettlement for refugees, freedom of non-self-governing people, and the international reduction and regulation of armaments. Believing that among the most urgent problems facing the world today are poverty, disease, ignorance, hunger, and chronic ill health, special concern has been expressed for the expansion of the work of the specialized agencies and programs for social and economic development. Emphasis has been placed on training programs and those measures which will help people to help themselves.

OPINIONS BASED ON STUDY

Through a program of study and action carried on through United Church Women and its State and local councils there is an awareness of the functioning of the United Nations, its capabilities and its weaknesses, as a body made up of representatives of sovereign states. Statements made by the United Church Women grow out of opinions based on study and discussion on the National, State, and local level. While the United Church Women do not endorse specific

PURCHASE OF UNITED NATIONS BONDS

319

pieces of legislation, action is taken in support of principles and those measures which seem to translate principles into useful channels of action. At the triennial assembly in Miami, October 9-12, 1961, attended by several thousand women representing various councils, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:

"The Ninth National Assembly of United Church Women, meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., October 9-12, 1961:

"Recognizing the world's great need for peace and relaxation of tensions; that anarchy on the international level threatens the survival of mankind; that progress toward a just and durable peace requires the establishment of international standards of human justice with an international authority capable of enforcement action to prevent aggression

"(1) asks the U.S. delegates to the United Nations to be instructed to stand firm in support of the Office of the U.N. Secretary General and its administrative authority as outlined in the charter; and to find ways to identify U.S. goals with those of the developing nations as they seek political, economic, and cultural changes to bring about modernization.

"(2) recommends that all local councils step up their study of the United Nations and work to strengthen its procedures for the peaceful settlement of international disputes and the development of world law and order, with adequate machinery for the maintenance of peace; and

"(3) suggests that in every community the women of the churches promote programs designed to increase that sense of world community which will transform the world of different peoples into a world of cooperation and compassion." There has been an awareness of the financial difficulties of the United Nations and in February 1961 there was a special national consultation, at which time the problem was discussed and various proposals presented. The most recent action concerning specific financial problems of the United Nations was taken by our administrative committee, January 11, 1962. You will note that this action was taken by the committee before specific legislation was proposed that the United States subscribe to the bond issue. The resolution adopted was: "Believing that the United Nations offers a forum for the objectives of the United States and other member nations for peace with justice and freedom and is an instrument for economic and social progress through which the force of moral suasion and the rule of law may eventually bring peace;

"The Administrative Committee of United Church Women, a general department of the National Council of Churches, meeting January 11, 1962, supports the proposal of the U.S. Government to buy half the $200 million United Nations bond issue now offered for sale, as a justified investment in peace, to meet the present U.N. financial crisis.

"At the same time the U.S. delegates to the United Nations should be instructed to make every effort to establish procedures for sound, equitable financing of U.N. peace enforcement actions and to improve the crucial capacity of the U.N. to act in the interests both of peace and the raising of standards of living for the world's people."

This resolution and the resolution adopted by our assembly has been brought to the attention of local councils for whatever support or action they wish to take. It seems appropriate at this time to bring them to your attention for your information and to express the hope that the United States will use its position of influence to strengthen the United Nations and its peacekeeping machinery.

15

Hon. J. W. FULBRIGHT,

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES,
Washington, D.C., February 26, 1962.

Chairman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee,

U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America wishes to express its support of S. 2768 to authorize the appropriation of up to $100 million for the purchase of United Nations bonds.

We believe this authorization is necessary in order to

(1) block the efforts of the Soviet Union to undermine the United Nations and its Secretary General;

(2) provide the United Nations with a period without financial crisis to permit a sober and calm survey of its problems and imperfections in an atmosphere relieved of the tensions of prospective bankruptcy;

(3) exert pressure on every nation-including the Soviet Union-to pay its fair share of the costs of the U.N.'s special peace and security operations; and (4) reestablish the principle that the budget items of the United Nations should be based on a realistic appraisal of the member nations' abilities to support expenditures on an equitable basis.

We have noted that without the bond issue, according to President Kennedy, either the U.N.'s executive arm will wither or the United States will be compelled to pay a larger share of the costs of operation than is reasonable.

In our view, the proposed legislation, S. 2768, is in substantial accord with the objectives outlined above and merits congressional support.

I would appreciate your making this letter a part of the record of the hearings held by the Committee on Foreign Relations on the legislation in question. Sincerely yours,

(Signed) Terry Rice, (Typed) THERON J. RICE, Legislative Action General Manager.

LA CROSSE, WIS.,
February 19, 1962.

Chairman J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT,

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR FULBRIGHT: I will be grateful for the opportunity to add my views to the record of hearings now scheduled before your committee on S. 2768.

For 20 years I have been engaged in the study and teaching of American history. Surely no part of our diplomatic history holds out more promise for effective pursuit of our national interest and ideals than that willingness, from 1945 forward, to accept a mature and responsible role in world affairs. Central to that mature responsibility is our support of the United Nations. Favorable action on the U.N. bond bill will be both a continued demonstration of our interest and concern in world affairs and a testimony of our long-run intent. I urge your committee to endorse S. 2768.

Sincerely,

Dr. R. C. VOIGHT.

MIAMI BEACH, FLA., February 20, 1962.

Senator WILLIAM FULBRIGHT,

Chairman, Senator Foreign Relations Committee,
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.:

The executive council of the AFL-CIO meeting in Bal Harbour, Fla., today unanimously adopted the following resolution and requests that it be included in the hearinges now being conducted by your committee on the subject of purchase of U.N. bonds:

"As trade unionists who cherish freedom and democracy, we are deeply disturbed by the serious damage the U.S.S.R. has inflicted on the efforts of the United Nations to insure protection of fundamental human rights so vigorously proclaimed as its goal when it was founded in 1945.

"In view of the repeated Soviet attempts either to control or paralyze the United Nations, and of the deteriorating international situation, it is most urgent for all democratic countries to make the U.N. increasingly effective in advancing the aims specified in its charter.

"In the light of this situation, the AFL-CIO enthusiastically supports the present proposal before the Congress that the United States should purchase up to $100 million of the needed U.N. bonds to finance its activities."

GEORGE MEANY,
President, AFL-CIO.