THE GREAT WHITE FLEET

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61-00357R000100220018-8
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 20, 2013
• Sequence Number: 18
• Publication Date: May 27, 1960
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/08/20: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100220018-8
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in certain areas of our o coun-
try?thee United States of America?the civil
rights of many people of minority racial
groups are still being denied; and
Whereas the lunch counter sit-in demon-
strations in certain Southern States have
dramatized for us the urgency of granting
full equality to citizens of minority racial
groups; and
Whereas in many communities in the
North there are discriminatory practices in
housing, against such racial minority
groups; and
Whereas our Christian gospel presents
the challenge of the worth and dignity of
each human personality and the full racial
equality and full interracial fellowship:
Therefore be it
Resolved, That we as individuals use our
influence to lead the people of our churches
to the full practice of interracial fellowship;
and be it further
Resolved, That we call upon the members
of our churches of the Minnesota Confer-
ence to give full moral support to the prin-
ciple of "open occupancy" in housing, so that
residence may be open to all individuals ir-
respective of race, religion, or national
origin; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage our local
_ churches to participate in the interracial va-
cation visits of the Minnesota Council of
Churches, a program of great potential for
creating interracial good will and under-
standing.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ? SENATE May 27
RESOLUTION ON DISARMAMENT AND NUCLEAR
TESTING
Whereas the division of the world com-
munity into two hostile armed camps en-
dangers the peace of the world; and
Whereas the existence of nuclear weapons
poses the threat of mutual destruction, and
the continued testing of these weapons may
endanger the genetic future of the human
race; and
Whereas nuclear energy may become
either the helpful servant or the monstrous
master of mankind, depending upon its use:
Therefore be it
Resolved, That we declare our Christian
convictions concerning the importance of
worldwide disarmament, and the limitation
of nuclear testing to peaceful purposes and
methods which will not endanger human
life; and be it further
Resolved, That we communicate with our
Representatives and Senators, both in Con-
gress and our State legislature, urging their
full support of effective civil rights legisla-
tion; and be it further
Resolved, That we declare our support of
the position that the United States take the
lead in this task as a Christian witness to
_ the world, and that the secretary of Chris-
tian Social Action, and we as individuals,
notify our President and legislators, of this
position and assure them of our firm sup-
port and earnest prayer for their effort to-
ward this end.
RESOLUTION ON WORLD PEACE
Whereas our Lord has placed upon each
Christian the obligation to be a peacemaker,
and has called the church to redeem society
as well as individuals; and
Whereas in these days of tension many
Christians feel frustrated by their inability
to do specific things to work for peace and
the betterment of international relation:
Therefore be it
Resolved, That we call our people to a seri-
ous study of the Bibical meaning of peace,
and to fervent prayer that the teachings of
the Prince of Peace may become the guiding
principles for international relations, be-
ginning with us; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage our people to
engage in efforts for the mutual exchange
of ideas and personnel with nations, whose
principles and practices are in conflict with
ours, with the hope of greater mutual un-
derstanding, and be it further
Resolved, That we commend to the Chris-
tian Social Action Committee of our
churches to study and use in the local church
the study book, "Christian Responsibility on
a Changing Planet," and the pamphlet of the
Minnesota Council of Churches, "This We
Can Do for Peace."
RESOLUTION ON PREEMPTIVE WARFARE
Whereas a subcommittee in Congress as a
part of the defense effort is currently advo-
cating the adopting of a new policy called
preemptive warfare; and
Whereas we have committed ourselves as
a nation to the use of force only after we
have been first attacked; and
Whereas preemptive warfare would permit
our Government to strike first in a nuclear
war when the military was reasonably sure
that we were about to be attacked; and
Whereas as Christians we have deep revul-
sion at any kind of killing, and double re-
vulsion against the whole philosophy of pre-
emptive warfare: Therefore be it
Resolved, That we communicate with our
President, the State Dapartment, and the
subcommittee of Congress which is sug-
gesting this major policy change, stating our
moral revulsion and Christian horror at this
considered change; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge continued study
and thorough examination of the morality of
retaliation, returning evil for evil, as our
national clefnnse policy; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge congressional ap-
propriations be made for serious disarma-
ment study allowing a smooth transition to
a peacetime economy.
THE GRFAT WHITE FLEET
Mr. HUMPHREY. Mr. President, I
wish to address myself today to the sub-
ject of the Great White Fleet, which I
proposed in the Senate, along with a
number of my colleagues, some months
ago, and which was given considerable
public attention by Life magazine in a
feature article.
Mr. President, even a world almost
calloused to the sight of human suffer-
ing by the experiences of warfare for
the past 30 years has been shocked and
saddened by the great disasters flowing
out of the earthquakes in Chile. From
one end of the Pacific Ocean to the
other, earth tremors and tidal waves
have taken a massive toll of lives and
caused incalculable suffering.
I am proud that our Government has
taken steps, through our armed services,
to rush prompt assistance in the form of
doctors, nurses, and medical supplies, by
airlift to the stricken areas.
The immediate response of the Inter-
national Red Cross, and of major re-
ligious welfare agencies, such as Church
World Service, Lutheran World Relief,
Catholic Relief Services, and the Jewish
Joint Distribution Committee, has been
magnificent.
All that has been done so far is a great
credit to the American people, and to
the people of other nations who are co-
operating in the relief effort.
But, Mr. President, the dimensions of
this disaster are far beyond the capacity
of the forces organized to combat it.
We are talking now about a quarter of
the population of Chile without shelter,
of whole cities without water or electric
power.
Mr. President, our Government should
take immediate steps to bring massive
assistance to the stricken people of
Chile. It is not sufficient to send a few
dozen aircraft and a few hundred peo-
ple to the scene. That is a good start?
but only a good start.
I have wired the President today, urg-
ing that he take steps to load both ships
and aircraft out of our southern Cali-
fornia ports with clothing, shelter and
food supplies, as well as additional hos-
pital and medical supplies and personnel,
to reach the Chilean coast in the next
few days.
Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, will the
Senator yield?
Mr. HUMPHREY. I yield.
Mr. JAVITS. Mr. President, I am de-
lighted to hear the Senator make this.
speech. I know the Senator has been a
tremendous advocate of the Great White
Fleet, and has properly received an enor-
mous amount of approval for his efforts.
I should like to invite the attention of
the?Senator to the fact that in the morn-
ing hour today I brought to the attention
of the Senate the massive effort of the
U.S. Army, which has been a most extra-
ordinary effort.
Mr. HUMPHREY. Yes.
Mr. JAVITS. I pointed out then what
I now wish to call to the attention of my
colleague, because I know of his tre-
mendous competence in regard to and
concern about the foreign policy of the
country, that this came contiguously to
the day in the Foreign Relations Com-
mittee when the hearings were opening
up on the free world, its purposes, its ob-
jectives, and its intentions. This was an
exercise of magnificently humanitarian
character, quickly and very efficiently
performed by our Armed Forces.
I thought this might be a fitting sup-
plement to the fine and eloquent state-
ment the Senator is making.
Mr. HUMPHREY. Mr. President, /
thank the Senator from New York for his
pertinent observation. I completely
agree with the Senator that the effort
being made by the armed services?and
particularly by the U.S. Army?is a
striking demonstration of the real
humanitarian purpose of the American
people and the desire of this Nation to
dedicate all of its energies in the paths of
peace. I believe that is what this great
demonstration by our Armed Forces, for
the relief of suffering, truly means. The
desire of the American people is to use
our energy, our wealth, and our strength
to help people, not to destroy them.
It is gratifying to me to see this dem-
onstration on the part of our Govern-
ment. I thank the Senator from New
York.
Mr. JAVITS. I thank my friend.
Mr. HUMPHREY. Br. President as I
was saying, we must be thinking in ternDk
of thousands of tons of supplies and ?.
equipment, of providing ships to restore
electric power from their generateWte
Chilean ports, of moving in relief Orson...
nel by the thousands, as a fellownp to
the emergency airlift.
I deeply hope that till, Presidgat will
use his almost unlimited powers lor this
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19tv CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ? SENATE
purpo So that there will be no delay in
instituting a sealift to Chile.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
sent to have printed in the RECORD at this
point a copy of my telegram to the Presi-
dent.
There being no objection, the telegram
was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
as follows:
THE PRESIDENT,
The White House,
Washington, D.C.:
Americans are proud of the initial reaction
of our Government in airlifting medical sup-
plies and personnel to Chile. However, a
massive followup of both airlift and sealift
to the stricken areas providing assistance on
a scale commensurate with the size of a
disaster that has made a quarter of the
Chilean population homeless is respectfully
urged. I strongly suggest that southern
California ports and naval and Maritime Ad-
ministration vessels be utilized immediately
to load and carry to Chilean ports great
quantities of food, potable water, clothing,
shelter, and additional medical supplies and
personnel. The power-generating resources
of American warships could well be put to
use in restoring electricity to many Chilean
cities. Finally may I point out how impor-
tant it is that we prepare for future disasters
of this kind by the organization of a perma-
nent mercy fleet of the kind proposed in
Senate Concurrent Resolution 66 now before
the Committee on Armed Services, so that
maximum relief in the shortest possible
time can be rushed to disaster areas.
HUBERT H. HomplutEy.
Mr. HUMPHREY. Mr. President, the
great Chilean disaster is only one of a
series of natural disasters which have
struck the world over the past several
years. I have in my hand some of the
press reports about the disaster in Chile.
One is dated May 26 and says, "Chile
Battered for the Fifth Day, Toll Is 2,829.
Twenty-five Percent of Population
Homeless; Quakes, Waves Continue."
The story of course tells what the
U.S. Air Force has been doing in flying
relief to the needy people.
This particular story I think tells
about as succinctly and yet as movingly
as any I have heard what has happened
in that particular area of the world.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous con-
sent to have inserted at this point in
my remarks an Associated Press dispatch
from Santiago, Chile, dated May 26, 1960.
There being no objection, the article
was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
as follows:
SANTIAGO, CHILE, May 26.?No respite ap-
peared in sight today for southern Chile,
wrecked by 5 days of continuing earth-
quakes, tidal waves, avalanches, and volcanic
eruptions.
The official death toll so far was 2,829 dead
or missing, 2 million?a fourth of the na-
tion's population?homeless, and $300 mil-
lion property damage. And the count was
mounting steadily.
The terror-stricken homeless huddled in
open fields or in the mountains to which
they had fled, or plodded away from the
scenes of destruction, fearful of further earth
tremor,. that so far showed no sign of stop-
ping,. -*tarty rains over much of the vast
cryt.ke afte, added to their misery, and high
start ;Ant pifilladad the coast, raising fears
of Um" tilipt,wavest
mierrre? emus storrue RELMF
The WM Al106ree'le6ed in flying relief
through the nuakelyllibwing from volcanoes.
"The whole world seemed to be shaking
and quivering," said one survivor flown to
Santiago from shattered Valdivia Province.
"Everything danced in a terrible rhythm."
With countless communities still cut off
and the upheavals of nature continuing, of-
ficials could not even predict the final toll.
Low-lying clouds and rain hampered aerial
rescue operations. Smoke and ash from
volcanoes hung over much of the southern
part of the mountainous land.
The Interior Ministry listed the known
dead at 1,706 and 1,123 missing and pre-
sumed dead.
WAVES POUND COAST
The face of the country itself was altered
by the disturbances which began Saturday.
Three new earth tremors were repotted yes-
terday. Tidal waves up to 15 feet high still
pounded along 750 miles of the southern
coast. Many islands along the coast could
not be reached for word of their inhabitants.
In Cautin Province the earth's surface
dropped at much as 1,000 feet over a 25-mile
stretch. Two new lakes formed in the Andes
near Lake Rinihue. Avalanches filled valleys
with stone and earth.
The pilot of a U.S. Air Force C-54 on a re-
lief mission, Capt. Harlan K. Black, of Wal-
nut, Ill., estimated the smoke rose to 30,000
feet over 7,349-foot Puyehue Volcano, one
of seven shaken alive by the rumbling earth
tremors.
The U.S. Air Force summoned planes from
bases in New Jersey, Delaware, and South
Carolina to airlift two fully equipped, 400-
bed field hospitals to Santiago. Thirty-four
planes were to transport the 426 medical
personnel and 350 tons of equipment.
Mr. HUMPHREY. In the last 3 years
alone, famine, flood, earthquake, hurri-
canes, or fire have ravaged the peoples
of many nations. In most cases, Ameri-
can generosity was quickly expressed in
the form of American airlifts of emer-
gency supplies and material, and through
the voluntary and religious welfare
agencies.
Mr. President, at my request, the
Library of Congress Legislative Refer-
ence Service has prepared a brief sum-
mary of the major natural disasters oc-
curring throughout the world since the
summer of 1957, together with a sum-
mary of the aid provided by our Govern-
ment. I ask unanimous consent that
the summary of major national disasters
and American aid be printed at this
point in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the summary
was ordered to be printed in the RECORD,
as follows:
WORLD MAJOR DISASTERS AND U.S. AM, 1957-60
July 1957: 28 inches of rain in 24 hours
flooded coastal plain of northwest Kyushu,
Japan, caused many landslides. Up to 1,000
deaths; 87,000 homeless. Railways washed
out. Over 3,000 lives lost.
U.S. Air Force helicopters aided rescue
operations. Food and clothing, doctors,
nurses, and medical supplies provided. 'U.S.
servicemen helped.
December 1957: Widespread floods in Cey-
lon. Over 225 dead; 300,000 homeless, and
many without food.
United States quickly supplied medicine,
food, and other supplies, helicopters for res-
cue work. U.S. admiral placed in charge of
relief operations. Emergency supplies flown
in, some supplied by British and India;
10,000 tons of flour from Department of Ag-
riculture; $3,500,000 of machinery from U.S.
mission.
September 1958: Flood of Rio Grande,
Mexico and southwest Texas. Millions of
10547
dollars damage. NO lives lost. U.S. border
patrol planes rescued marooned Mexican and
American (both sides of Rio Grande) per-
sons and delivered food and supplies.
During 1958: Aid was given by American
Red Cross to earthquake victims in Burma
and Greece, during floods in India and Iran.
Fires in Japan and Thailand. Typhoon in
Okinawa.
July 1, 1957, to June 1958: American Red
Cross provided assistance of $242,000 in for-
eign oversea disaster relief by providing
funds and supplies in Ceylon, Indonesia, Ja-
pan, Korea, and Spain, which suffered floods;
in Iran and Peru, which experienced disas-
trous earthquakes; Pakistan and Thailand,
which were afflicted by major epidemics; and
a typhoon in Okinawa.
May 1959: Floods in Uruguay, Argentina,
and Brazil caused $200 million damage.
Caused by prolonged and heavy rains
throughout from April 15 to late May. U.S.
Array supplied a bridge. Surplus food made
available. Many thousands homeless. Much
agricultural loss.
June 1959: Floods in Uruguay. Worst in
Queguay River Valley. United States sup-
plied helicopters from U.S.S. Edisto, medi-
cines, and food. A Bailey bridge, 660 feet
long, was donated by the ICA; U.S. Army
assisted in erection.
August 1959: Taiwan (Formosa) lost up to
1,000 lives; 169,000 lost homes due to flash
floods. ICA and the Council for United
States contributed $250,000 for immediate
relief. Catholic welfare agencies supplied
food. U.S. Navy helicopters and planes as-
sisted in rescue work; 1 in every 60 inhabit-
ants left homeless. Deaths near 800.
Summer and early fall rains in 1959 in
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile caused
widespread flooding and great damage. In
Uruguay 250,000 sheep and 24,000 head of
cattle were lost, also half of sunflower crop,
most of peanut crop, and one-third of rice
and wheat crops. Chile lost 15 percent of its
wheat crop. Argentina lost over 25 percent
of its cotton crop. Brazil lost 15 percent of
its rice crop and up to 2 million sheep.
September 17, 1959: Extensive areas in
central India and on both coasts flooded.
Eighteen deaths and 15,000 homes destroyed
in one state. Loss of crops set at $500,000;
6 died in Surat; 10,000 inhabitants marooned.
U.S.S. John S. McCain turned over antibiotics
and other medicants to Indian authorities.
U.S. aid totaled $10,000, large amounts of food
from Public Law 480 program, $10,000 from
the Red Cross and additional funds from the
U.S. Embassy; 5,000 homes were reported de-
stroyed, 1,500,000 acres flooded, up to 2 mil-
lion people affected and great quantities of
crops destroyed.
October 31 to November 1, 1959, Mexico:
A cyclone, floods, and landslide occurred in
the vicinity of Manzanillo, Jalisco, and Calu-
ria, Mexico. President Eisenhower offered
any assistance needed, in a letter to the
President of Mexico; 2,000 dead.
February 29, 1960: Morocco earthquake
killed 4,000 to 10,000 persons in and around
Agadir. The United States allocated $5 mil-
lion from the mutual security contingency
fund. Used mostly to get supplies from U.S.
military stocks. Only a few hours after the
quake the U.S. Ambassador released $10,000
from Embassy emergency funds and U.S. mili-
tary planes began flying in medical aid and
relief supplies. The ICA arranged for grain
and milk shipments. U.S. sanitation units
remained on the scene to assist in caring for
12,000 refugees.
March 1960: United States has made avail-
able flood relief to Brazil in the amount of
$300,000 from mutual security program funds
for emergency flood relief in northeast Brazil
on March 31, 1960.
The Oros Dam collapsed on March 27, 1960.
As a result, 150,000 persons were made home-
less in the Jaguaraibe Valley and another
150,000 are in distress elsewhere.
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10548 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ? SENATEMt 27
?
Transport facilities for food, medical, and
other supplies and rescue work will be sup-
plied. Two Air Force transport planes with
rubber boats and two helicopters were to be
supplied. The U.S.S.Glacier, then at Rio,
proceeded to the area to assist, together with
its two helicopters.
Mr. HUMPHREY. This is a strong
reminder, Mr. President, that major
natural disasters do not occur infre-
quently. They are the normal order of
things.
For example, in July of 1957, there
were floods and earthquakes in Japan.
In December there were widespread
floods in Ceylon.
In September 1958 there was the flood
of the Rio Grande in Mexico and south-
west Texas.
Then again in 1958 there were earth-
quake victims in Burma and Greece,
floods in India and Iran, and widespread
destruction in Okinawa and Thailand
caused by typhoons.
In July, 1957, to June, 1958, there was
vast suffering from natural disasters in
Ceylon, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, and
Spain, along with Iran and Peru, and
with additional disasters in Pakistan and
Thailand; and again in Okinawa.
In May 1959, there were floods in Uru-
guay, Argentina, and Brazil.
In June 1959, there were floods in
Uruguay and other areas of Latin-Amer-
ica.
In August 1959, there were floods in
Taiwan?Formosa?which took over
1,000 lives.
Then again in the fall of 1959 there
were disasters in Argentina, Brazil, Uru-
guay, and Chile.
In September 1959, there were exten-
sive areas in central India and both
coasts were flooded with tremendous
losses of life and property.
In October of 1959, there was a major
disaster in Mexico which claimed 2,000
dead.
In February 1960, in Morocco there was
an earthquake that killed approximately
10,000 persons.
In March of 1960, there were again
flood conditions in Brazil.
Mr. President, these disasters are docu-
mented in detail by the Library of Con-
gress report. They remind us again of
the great need for a well-defined, well-
organized program of relief and of assist-
ance which can be put to work at a
moment's notice.
The record of American governmental
assistance, as reported by the Library of
Congress, is one in which Americans can
take pride.
But we should ask ourselves if the
scale of our efforts has been sufficient,
as I am now asking concerning our
efforts to be of help to the people of
Chile.
Mr. President, Members will recall
that 34 Senators joined with me in in-
troducing Senate Concurrent Resolution
66 last July 21, urging the President to
establish a White Fleet of mercy ships
to provide maximum relief in the short-
est time in natural disasters. This reso-
lution remains before the Committee on
Armed Services.
I respectfully urge, Mr. President, that
hearings be conducted on the resolution
at an early date.
Let me restate the purpose of the reso-
lution, and of the White Fleet it is de-
signed to support.
We are contemplating in the White
Fleet, the utilization of American naval
and maritime ships and aircraft, formed
in task groups around a demothballed
U.S. Navy hospital ship. The idea would
be to maintain in a combat-loaded
condition a number of ships carrying
emergency food, shelter, medical sup-
plies, and rescue and relief personnel,
available at several points around the
world, and ready on instant notice to up
anchor and proceed to the site of nat-
ural disasters.
We have also contemplated that the
missions of such White Fleet ships would
be coordinated with aircraft which
could be staged in both from continen-
tal United States and from American
naval and airbases throughout the
world.
In other words, just as naval task
groups and task forces laur.ched com-
bined air-sea operations throughout
World War II and Korea, a similar task
organization could be thrown into the
assault on pain, disease and suffering as
a result of major natural disasters?
rather than depending always on hur-
ried and makeshift operations.
Our estimates of the cost of maintain-
ing such a task group?and I believe
that there could well be as many as
three such groups stationed in various
parts of the world?range between $7
and $10 million annually. We contem-
plate the use of surplus supplies, sur-
plus food, and voluntarily donated med-
ical supplies in large quantities.
A task group of the White Fleet, sta-
tioned perhaps one in the Mediterran-
ean, one in Southeast Asia, and one
along the coast of Latin America, could
throw into the ports of a stricken na-
tion, within 3 or 4 days at the most, a
thousand-bed hospital with operating fa-
cilities arid laboratories, power for en-
tire cities, and emergency rations and
shelter for hundreds of thousands of
people.
When not on disaster assignment, the
White Fleet groups could undertake a
yearlong training and technical assist-
ance program in public health and med-
ical care, in the ports of scores of
underdeveloped nations. In the periods
between disasters, then, the White Fleet
ships and personnel would serve as dra-
matic symbols of American compassion,
intelligence and good intentions?as
well as effective vehicles for the expan-
sion of our technical assistance program
in public health.
An experiment is presently being con-
ducted by a private organization, Proj-
ect Hope, to outfit a hospital ship and
to utilize this vessel and her personnel
for precisely this technical assistance
mission in southeast Asia.
This is a worthy program, and I hope
that Project Hope, as it is called, will
receive the generous support of the
American people.
But again, the scale of the need is far
greater than the abilities of private vol-
untary organizations to cope with. A
White Fleet organized and supported by
the U.S. Government could provide a
magnificent vehicle for such voluntary
efforts. Indeed, U.S. initlativ could
provide the means for other nations to
join, either bilaterally or through the
United Nations and its related agencies,
in the effort to cope with the natural
disasters which afflict the peoples of the
world.
Mr. President, I again urge that, as we
watch the pitiful spectacle of the people
of Chile attempting to rise from a ter-
rible disaster, we take thought of how
best we can act to insure that in a future
tragedy of this kind, the resources of the
free world, and particularly of the United
States, can be efficiently, massively, and
quickly speeded to the rescue.
Mr. President, I hope that the Con-
gress will take action on this measure.
I repeat, the action we are required to
take is essentially one of reaffirming the
desire of the Congress, in cooperation
with the President, for the President to
utilize the facilities which are avail-
able, and for the Congress to assure
the President that funds will be made
available?and I have indicated that the
funds are very small in terms of the mis-
sion to be accomplished?for this worthy
endeavor of a fleet of mercy. What a
wonderful thing it would be for our
neighbors overseas; but also I can vis-
ualize that there might be some need
for it even along our own coastal cities
in case of disaster.
Mr. KEATING. Mr. President, will the
distinguished Senator from Minnesota
yield to me?
Mr. HUMPHREY. lam happy to yield
to the Senator from New York.
Mr. KEATING. I wish to commend
the distinguished Senator from Min-
nesota for calling our attention again
to this project. As he knows, I have
been much interested in it.
Mr. HUMPHREY. Yes, indeed.
Mr. KEATING. I have cosponsored
his great humanitariar proposal. The
situation in Chile very forcefully brings
to our attention how helpful such a proj-
ect could be. The Senator from Min-
nesota has been a leader in this move-
ment. I certainly hope that it will meet
with success.
Like many others today, I wish to ex-
press to the people of Chile the sorrow
which we feel over the great tragedy
that has befallen their country, which
has evidenced so much friendship to-
ward our Nation.
In the discussion this morning the
Army was very properly commended for
the prompt action which they have taken
in helping to meet the disaster. The
RECORD would not be complete were men-
tion not made of the great efforts which
are being made by many private organ-
izations also in this country, to help in
this great emergency. We know of the
efforts which the Mormon Church has
been making. I have discussed it wjth
our colleague from Utah [Mr. BEITNEer].
We all know that the Red Cross is try-
ing to help, also to meet? the terrible
disaster in Chile.
However, the project to whit% the Sen-
ator from Minnesota has ?referred IS a
long-range project. c We all know that
as long AS the world masts we are going
to have disasters from time to time.
America has a responsibility to help al-
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1960 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD ? SENATE
leviate the effects of such tragedies when
the country involved is overwhelmed.
Certainly this project is one which should
commend itself to the American people
and should commend itself to Congress.
I recently received a number of peti-
tions from students at my alma mater,
the University of Rochester, evincing the
great interest among that student body
in the Great White Fleet. I have also
received a great deal of mail from all
over the country from citizens who feel
?this is a unique and tangible means for
the United States to express its concern
for the less fortunate peoples of the
world.
In my view, this project can have a
particularly significant effect in the un-
committed and so-called underdeveloped
nations. The Great White Fleet pro-
vides an opportunity to combine the
traditional American spirit of generosity
and enlightened self-interest in a bold
and imaginative demonstration of good
will. The fleet, launched in the service
of humanity, can sail to the four corners
of the globe, with food, clothing, medi-
cine, and technical assistance for the
peoples of Asia, Africa, South America,
and the Middle East.
It is my hope that recent events in
Chile, tragic as they are, will help prod
action on the Great White Fleet idea.
Both modest in expenditure and imagi-
native in method, the fleet could drama-
tize the America of the mid-20th cen-
tury as it really is?as it brings American
aid and friendship to the people of the
world.
Mr. HUMPHREY. Mr. President, I
also ask unanimous consent that at the
conclusion of my remarks there may be
printed another article entitled, "U.S.
To Airlift Relief to Chile; Church Groups
Send Supplies."
The PRESIDING OFFICER. With-
out objection, it is so ordered.
(See exhibit 1.)
Mr. HUMPHREY. The article gives
a brief analysis of the work that is be-
ing undertaken by the Church World
Service, the National Catholic Welfare
Conference, the Catholic Relief Services,
the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee,
and the United Hiss Service. I am sure
my colleagues will find this a very inter-
testing and illuminating article.
I also ask unanimous consent that
Senate Concurrent Resolution 66 be
printed at the conclusion of my remarks.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. With-
out objection, it is so ordered.
(See exhibit 2.)
Exurarr 1
TimmEn STATES To AIRLIFT RELIEF TO CHILE;
CHURCH GROUPS SEND SUPPLIES
WASHINGTON, May 25.?The United States
announced that it would fly two complete
Army field hospitals and 420 persons to the
aid of Chile's disaster victims.
An airlift of 24 C-124 Globemaster trans-
port planes carrying equipment will leave for
Chile tomorrow, the Defense Department
said.
? The Department said 27 doctors and 62
nurses woUld leave in the first wave of
plenee. There will also be 331 enlisted med-
ical pe$30nriel4o staff the two field hospitals.
Lanes-Whoa ot medicine, including anti-
tetanus 4034 antiteniirene serum and blood
plasma, have been included in the shipment.
The Defense Department also announced
that a U.S. nutrition team, which has been
in Chile for the last 2 months, will remain
there to give what help it can. The team
has 11 doctors.
A State Department spokesman reported,
meanwhile, that two Air Force planes packed
With hospital equipment, tents, medical sup-
plies and blankets from the Panama Canal
Zone already were on their way to Santiago,
Chile.
The Pan American Health Organization
said the Peruvian Government had donated
500,000 smallpox vaccine doses to Chile. The
medicine is already on its way to Santiago.
CHURCHES HEED PLEA
Major religious welfare agencies took steps
yesterday to alleviate the suffering caused
by the earthquake in Chile.
Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches,
through Church World Service, have sent
money, food, clothing, blankets, and medi-
cine to the areas stricken by quakes and
tidal waves.
Church World Service, with headquarters
at 475 Riverside Drive, has shipped 1,500
blankets into the disaster area, and is pre-
paring to send 50,000 pounds of clothes.
About 64,000 pounds of clothing from the
stocks of Lutheran World Relief have been
started on the way to Concepcion and other
stricken areas.
The National Catholic Welfare Conference
received word that water purification tab-
lets, flashlights, food, bedding, clothing, and
shelter supplies were needed.
Catholic Relief Services, its distribution
agency, sent 1 million tablets, 1,000 flash-
lights, and 2,500 blankets. About 100,000
pounds of clothing will follow, along with 300
tons of wallboard for emergency housing
construction.
The Jewish Joint Distribution Committee,
3 East 54th Street, is making a spot sur-
vey of needs in Chile, and expects to appro-
priate funds for aid within a day or two,
a spokesman said.
United Hias Service, which aids resettle-
ment of Jewish refuges in Chile, contributed
$500 toward the relief of victims of all faiths,
the agency reported.
EIGHT NATIONS RESPOND
GENEVA, May 25.?The League of Red Cross
Societies announced today that eight coun-
tries had responded to its appeal yesterday
on behalf of the Chilean earthquake victims.
The Red Cross units of the United States,
Argentina, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti, the Nether-
lands, Norway, and Peru reported that they
had already dispatched relief shipments and
funds to Chile, the league said.
EXHIBIT 2
Resolved by the Senate (the House of
Representatives concurring), That it is the
sense of the Congress that?
(a) the President at the earliest practica-
ble time should take such action as may be
required to provide for the establishment
of a White Fleet designed and equipped to
render prompt emergency aid and assistance
to peoples of the coastal regions of other
nations upon the occurrence of famine, epi-
demic disease, earthquake, flood hurricane,
or other disaster; and to further serve as a
vehicle for the carrying out of technical as-
sistance and training on a continuing basis
in the developing nations of the world;
(b) such fleet should be established
through the restoration to active service
and the equipment of suitable vessels of the
United States Navy now mothballed in stor-
age but could be operated by appropriate
nonprofit private philanthropic organiza-
tions of the United States devoted to the
rendition of emergency aid and assistance
to relieve human suffering;
(c) the vessels of such fleet should be
suitably identified to proclaim to the world
10549
their peaceful and beneflcient purpose, and
should be divided into task groups, each of
which should include a hospital ship for
the rendition of medical aid, a vessel suit-
ably equipped to generate electrical energy
required to meet emergency needs, and one
or more cargo vessels suitable for use in the
transportation of clothing, medical supplies,
and other necessary supplies and equip-
ment;
(d) fuel and operational supplies, and
port, repair, and navigational facilities, of
the United States Navy throughout the
world should be made available to such fleet
in support of its operational activities;
(e) provision should be made for the uti-
lization of surplus food commodities of the
United States for the relief of hunger, and
for the furnishing by the United States of
medical and other supplies required for the
rendition of other necessary aid and assist-
ance, through the use of that fleet; and
(f) the cooperation of private charitable
organizations of the United States should be
utilized for the furnishing of clothing and
other relief supplies for donation to meet
the emergency needs of inhabitants of re-
gions to which task groups of the fleet
would be directed to provide assistance.
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARIES OF SEN-
ATOR HUMPHREY AND SENATOR
KENNEDY
Mr. KEATING. Mr. President, I wish
to extend felicitations to our distin-
guished colleague from Minnesota who
is today celebrating his natal day. I
suppose that is why the flower is in his
buttonhole. It would be entirely proper
if all of us were given flowers to wear
on a day of such importance to us and
to the people of this country.
The distinguished Senator is one of
the most pleasant, amiable, and enjoy-
able men with whom we associate in
this great body. He and I have quite
frequently found ourselves in disagree-
ment, even, I may say in violent disagree-
ment, on this, that, or the other issue.
But he is one with whom it is almost as
much pleasure to disagree as to agree.
Although his rapier is sharp, his pres-
ence is always friendly, and his coun-
tenance is usually sunny. When the
storm clouds do chance to gather on
that countenance, as they may in the
course of warm debate, his opponents
know that they are in for heavy weather.
I want him to know what a pleasure
it is to the junior Senator from New
York to recognize this milestone day in
the Senator's distinguished career.
Since we will be in recess until Tues-
day, I would be remiss were I not also
to mention the fact that the distin-
guished Senator from Massachusetts
[Mr. KENNEDY] celebrates his natal day
on next Sunday. He is not here at the
moment. He is apparently absent of
necessity, but if he were present I would
say that I want him to know also that
I extend to him felicitations on his
birthday.
Although our area of political agree-
ment may on certain issues become
scarcely discernible, I have always en-
joyed the pleasure of his friendship, and
I trust that it will be taken in a wholly
nonpolitical spirit if I express the wish
that we will be enjoying his continued
friendship here in the Senate on the oc-
casion of his next birthday.
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