TAX CREDITS FOR CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP67B00446R000300170009-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 7, 2003
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: January 1, 1965
• Content Type: OPEN

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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE 2617
"disappointment, then disillusion" can powers, and both of them major land
be predicted among our allies.'. powers-are more Impressed by military
THE UNANSWERED QUESTION
Were the dramatic and effective air
strikes of last week in Vietnam merely
a measured response to intensified at-
tacks by the Communists, or did they
signal the beginning of a new forward
strategy aimed at a real change in the
course of the war?
It may well be that the answer to
both of these questions is "Yes," and that
days to follow will establish that
measured: response in itself is a for-
ward strategy in Vietnam.
Secretary of Defense McNamara, in
his impressive television report to the
Nation, described our air strikes as con-
vincing evidence of our "will and pur-
pose" in Vietnam. No American listen-
ing and watching was left in doubt as
to . the Secretary's personal sincerity or
determination.
And yet-on the evidence now before
us-there is doubt of our will and pur-
pose in Vietnam.
. There is, obviously doubt in Hanoi,
where the North Vietnamese continue
to direct the forces of aggression south
of the 17th parallel.
There is obviously doubt in Peiping,
where the Chinese Reds speak omnious-
ly of open intervention In Vietnam, and
where troops are reported massing along
the,border.
Here in the United States, there is
some doubt also-as evidenced by the
chorus of critical questioning over the
weekend, and the clamor from peace-at-
any-price quarters for immediate nego-
tiation or withdrawal.
It is not my purpose, as a relatively
junior Member of. this body, to sub-
stitute my personal judgment for that
of either the President or any member
of his Cabinet.
No man in America is as well.quali-
fied as President Johnson to lead our
Nation during this critical period of.the
world's history, and no President in
our history has been surrounded by
abler men in his Cabinet.
I have every confidence that our
President,will- soon put to a final and
decisive end the doubts and, questions
Concerning our policy in Vietnam.
I have every confidence that the com-
ing weeks will demonstrate, beyond any
question, the American will and pur-
pose to halt aggression in Vietnam are
neither qualified by timidity at home
nor discouraged by bluster abroad.
. I have every confidence that our Presi-
dent and our Armed Forces in Vietnam
and Asia will continue to command the
warm and wholehearted support and
trust of the American people and their
representatives, in Congress.
TWA_CONST5VCTIVE PROPOSALS
In the spirit of constructive support
of the President, I would like to conclude
these remarks with two brief proposals-
both of which, In my judgment, would
help in -a substantial way to terminate
all doubts regarding our will and pur-
pose in Vietnam.
Both suggestions are based upon the
conviction. that Red China and Soviet
Russia-the two dominant Communist
manpower than any other factor. The
military writings of both of these nations
abundantly support this view.
In my judgment, this Government
should immediately suspend all further
action to reduce our military manpower
under the policies announced by Secre-
tary McNamara in November of 1964.
Regardless of what is done with refer-
ence to the basis involved, the manpower
should be retained-whether in the Re-
serves, the National Guard or the Regular
Forces. This is no time to engage in
economy releases of trained military per-
sonnel.
Second, the Armed Forces should hold
"for the duration of the emergency" all
personnel now being released by reason
of termination of enlistment or "time in
rank"-seeking whatever Executive or
legislative authority may be necessary
for such action.
These two steps would help beyond
measure to convince the Communists
that we mean business in Vietnam-and
that we are prepared to do what is neces-
sary to protect the cause of freedom and
American interests in Asia.
FEBauARY 12, 1965.
HON. ROBERT S. MCNAMARA,
Secretary of Defense,
Department of Defense,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. SECRETARY: Aldng with millions
of Americans, I have applauded your an-
nounced determination to hold the line
against communism in Vietnam and south-
east Asia, and agree wholeheartedly with
your recent statement on television that
"our will and purpose are being tested" in
that area. I thoroughly agree that the
United States must take every necessary
step to hold our ground there, and to make
Clear and unmistakable the firmness of our
will and purpose in the face of increased
Communist aggressiveness in Vietnam.
In view of the increasingly serious situa-
tion in Vietnam, I strongly urge you to
suspend immediately any further Pentagon
action, to reduce in any way our military
forces. So long as the present situation
prevails, we should do all in our power to
hold in a position of readiness all able-
bodied members of our Armed Forces, in
either the Regular Establishment or In Re-
serve and National Guard units.
Department of Defense estimates supplied
to the House Committee on Armed Services
show a manpower reduction of 150,000 will
result upon merger of the Army Reserve and
Army National Guard. Additional reductions
are scheduled In Air Force manpower.
The purpose of this letter is not to plead
the case of any particular base or unit-and
the importance of an Air Force Reserve
Group scheduled to be abolished in my own
district, at Davis Field in Muskogee, cannot
be dismissed from my own thinking-but
my major and overriding concern at this
time does not involve any particular base
or organizational unit. I am principally
concerned as a Member of Congress with
the reduction In ready manpower now in
progress under- orders issued by your office,
and the Impact of that reduction in man-
power upon our position in southeast Asia.
You have eloquently stated that the United
States intends to show North Vietnam and
the world its determination to stand firm
and do everything necessary to protect our
interest in that area. Surely it must seem
inconsistent with that purpose, to any ob-
server, to continue at this time. with steps
to reduce our pool of trained fighting men-
thousands of men who stand ready to back
our Regular military forces in the event of
an enlargement of the conflict in Vietnam.
Notwithstanding your announced objec-
tives of economy and overall improvement
in defense readiness, it is unlikely that the
Asiatic mind-or any mind behind the Iron
Curtain-will view any reduction in armed
forces as a move toward strength and firm-
ness.
I sincerely believe it is strategically, log-
ically, and psychologically wrong to take any
further action at this time which indicates
any curtailment of strength or gives any
impression of reduction of effort or with-
drawal.
Facing the greatest challenge to our free
world leadership since the Communist march
into South Korea, this Nation should give
evidence at home as well as in southeast
Asia of our determination and intention to
meet the Communist threat and employ
every resource at our command.
In that spirit I believe your decision to
retain all present military forces Regular,
Reserve, and Guard included-at a maximum
state of readiness so long as the present
situation continues in Vietnam, would con-
tribute in a very positive way to the main-
tenance of our position there. I feel cer-
tain it would also convince millions of
Americans, who are today confused by the
news of a drastic increase In the March
draft call as contrasted with the release of
Reservists across the country, that we mean
business in every sense of the word in Viet-
nam.
Sincerely yours,
ED EDMONDSON,
Member of Congress.
TAX CREDITS FOR CERTAIN
EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES
(Mr. BYRNES of Wisconsin asked and
was given permission to extend his re-
marks at this point in the RECORD.)
Mr. BYRNES of Wisconsin. Mr.
Speaker, I have today introduced a bill
to provide a tax credit for amounts paid
on account of tuition fees and similar
educational expenses at a level above the
12th grade.
I first introduced a similar bill (H.R.
12771) in the 87th Congress. I reintro-
duced that bill (H.R. 49) in the 88th
Congress.
The bill introduced today provides a
different formula for computing the cred-
it. The amount of the credit is 75 per-
cent of the first $200, 25 percent of the
next $300, and 10 percent of the next
$1,000 expended for tuition fees, books,
and supplies for P. student at an institu-
tion of higher education. Maximum
credit is $325.
The purpose of the bill is to encourage
educational aid, not only for members
of the taxpayer's Immediate family, but
also to other deserving students. To the
extent that the needs of our students
can be met by private initiative, we con-
serve Federal and State revenues.
The allowance of this tax credit will
also relieve the pressure on scholarship
funds to : the extent that the tax credit
can provide for tuition and related ex-
penses. The more limited funds avail-
able for scholarships can be directed to
those most deserving and most in need
of additional financial aid.
Our educational system, free from
Government control, is one of our great-
est national assets. it is essential to
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 Approved For Release 2003/10/15 : CIA-RDP67B00446R000300170009-2 .,.
2618 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE February 15
encourage the expansion of that system, energy and talents as director of the State Fred W. Morrison, vice chairman, Shelby
and to make its benefits available to the prison from 1909 to 1911; and and Washington, November 14, 1961, Cleve-
greatest number of people. This bill will Whereas Robert Lee Doughton was elected land County.
from the Ninth District to serve in the 62d Mrs. R. S. Ferguson, Taylorsville, November
aid in the attainment of that objective. session of Congress and was reelected for 14, 1961, Alexander County.
succeeding -terms by large majorities with J. Harry Miller, Stony Point, November 14,
DEDICATION OF THE ROBERT LEE the results being that he served his district, 1961, Alexander County.
State, and Nation from the 62d to the 82d A. Vance Choate, Sparta, November 14,
DOUGHTON MEMORIAL WING OF sessions of Congress, both inclusive, in a 1961, Alleghany County.
THE ALLEGHANY MEMORIAL HOS- manner unexcelled by any other public J. Kemp Doughton, Sparta, November 14,
PITAL - servant; and 1961, Alleghany County.
Whereas while serving as a Member of Con- R. Austin Jones, West Jefferson, November
The SPEAKER pro tempOre (Mr. gress, he was nominated chairman of the 14, 1961, Ashe County.
HAWKINS). Under previousorder of the Committee on Ways and Means during the Wm. B. Austin, Jefferson, November 14,
House, the gentleman from North Caro- 73d to the 79th sessions of Congress, both in- 1961, Asbe County.
lina [Mr. BaOYH!LL] is recognized for 30 clusive, being reinstated to that most im- Mrs. Stella Anderson, West Jefferson, No-
portant post during the 81st Congress, a vember 14, 1961, Ashe County.
minutes. position which he held longer than any M. Smoot Lyles, Concord, November 14,
Mr. BROYHILL of North 'Carolina. other man in the history of the government, 1961, Cabarrus County.
Mr. Speaker, on November 20, 1964, an still finding time, however, to serve as al- Harold Coffey, Lenoir, November 14, 1961,
impressive ceremony was held in Sparta, ternating Chairman of the Joint Congres- Caldwell County.
N.C., a small but thriving community in sional Committee on Internal Revenue Taxa- Dennis S. Cook, Lenior, November 14, 1961,
Caldwell County
the Blue Mountains of northwestern
North Carolina. The occasion was the
dedication of the Robert Lee Doughton
memorial wing of the Alleghany Me-
morial Hospital.
Robert Lee Doughton-1863-1954-
legislator, farmer, businessman, humani-
tarian, and dedicated public servant, rep-
resented the Ninth Congressional Dis-
trict of North Carolina, from January
1911 to January 1953. His remarkable
record of legislative achievement spanned
more than a generation. For the last 18
years of his service in Washington, he
was chairman of the powerful Ways and
Means -Committee of the U.S. House of
Representatives. His leadership of that
great committee spanned a period of
service longer than that herd by any
other man in American history.
In today's world, men, think of retire-
ment and enjoying a life of leisure at the
normal retirement age of 65. Yet Con-
gressman Doughton, unusual man that
he was, took on new challenges in the
twilight of his life and led the Congress
in writing great and landmark legisla-
tion.
Mr. Doughton served his native State
and Nation with distinction. A grateful
and appreciative State, eager to erect an
appropriate memorial for this giant of a
man and the great service he rendered,
made plans for such a memorial.
In 1961, the North Carolina General
Assembly authorized the Governor of
North Carolina to appoint a- commission
to plan for and to create a fitting me-
morial to Mr. Doughton. The act is as
follows:
S.B. 444
(Session Laws, 1961---ch. 10791
tion; and
Whereas Robert Lee Doughton rendered Mrs. Margaret 13. Moore, Lenoir, November
distinguished service to the public life of the 14, 1961, Caldwell County.
State and Nation through his fine, well- J. Gordon Bush, Lenoir, November 14, 1961,
balanced personality, his ability to study Caldwell County.
public problems without regard to the pres- Dr. J.. Sam Holbrook, Statesville, Novem-
suree of interested groups and reach a solu- ber 14, 1961, Iredell County.
tion in the best Interest of the entire State Senator James V. Johnson, Statesville, No-
and Nation, always with the highest degree vember 14, 1961., Iredell County.
of Intellectual honesty; and Joe Knox, Mooresville, November 14, 1981,
Whereas Robert Lee Doughton has served Iredell County.
as a leader in the moral, religious, and civic James A. Graham, Raleigh, November 14,
life of the State, always conducting himself 1961, Rowan County.
by the book of his chosen church; making John Kesler, Salisbury, November 14, 1961,
his citizenship a thing of fine obligation, fol- Rowan County.
lowing no guide but integrity into the polit- Walter Woodson, Sr., Salisbury, November
foal forum; and 14, 1961, Rowan County.
Whereas the general assembly is of the Leslie M. Weisiger, Salisbury, November 14,
opinion that a fitting memorial should be 1961, Rowan County.
erected as a memorial to his long and dis- Mrs. E. G. Harwood, Albemarle, November
tinguished record as a public spirited citi- 14, 1961, Stanly County.
zen and servant of this State and Nation: W. H. Morrow, Albemarle, November 14,
Now, therefore, . 1961, Stanly County.
The General Assembly of North Carolina Jordon H. Winkler, Boone, November 14,
do enact: 1961, Watauga County.
SECTION 1. The Governor of North Carolina Robert C. Rivers, Boone, November 14,
is authorized to appoint a commission to be- 1961, Watauga County.
known as "The Robert Lee Doughton Me- Dwight W. Quinn, secretary, Kannapolis.
morial Commission" and to consist of 25 Under the able leadership of, its chair-
members. It shall be the duty of this com-
mission man, another distinguished North Caro-
memorial to erect a suitable and fitting
memorial in the town of Laurel Springs or linian, Mr. C. A. Cannon, of Concord,
at some appropriate site in the vicinity of N.C., the commission began to implement
said town. its appointed task. After appropriate
SEC. 2. There is hereby appropriated from investigation and planning, the commis-
the general fund to the commission created sion adopted the following resolution:
by this act the sum of $25,000 which shall Whereas the legislature of 1961 created the erec- tiexf the mby the emorial herein ?o referred refeer rred the
to. Robert Lee Doughton Memorial Commission
on and charged it with the duty and responsi-
SEC. The members of serve the commission without bility of erecting an appropriate memorial
pay by this act t shall hal any to the late Robert Lee Doughton, former
pay C. The expense commission created of any kind. this State Senator and long-time Member of Con-
SEC.
act shall l have a authority to accept or r reject gress, appropriating for this purpose the sum
of $25,000; and
donations from private individuals or cor- Whereas said commission has been duly
herein her be expended for the purposes appointed by the Governor and organized as,
rin set forth, by law; and
SEC. 5. All law's and clauses laws in con- provided Whereas Robert Lee Doughton served the
flict with this act are hereby repealed. c+,.+o flues +ha Nntinn with ereat distinction.
bEC. ti. %unis acL snap oe iu nun ~~~~e nano making an outstanding contribution to
An act to authorize the Governor to appoint effect from and after its ratification.
a commission to erect a fitting memorial In the general assembly read three times sound business principles in government, es-
to the late Robert Lee Doughton, former and ratified, this the 21st day of June 1961. pecially as chairman of the Ways and Means
State senator and long-time Member of Committee of the national House of Repre-
Congress, and to appropriate the sum of In November of 1961, Governor Terry sentatives; and
$25,000 to aid in bearing the expense of Sanford appointed 25 well-known citi- Whereas Robert Lee Doughton throughout
erecting the memorial zens of North Carolina as members of his long public career stood for the highest
Whereas the late Robert Lee Doughton the Robert Lee Doughton Memorial moral and ethical principles; and
was born at Laurel Springs, N.C., on Novem- Commissi0ri. Those appointed are as Whereas Robert Lee Doughton, although
ber 7, 1883, receiving his education in the follows' rising to positions of great trust and power,
public schools df'Laurel Springs and Sparta, never lost touch with the people he served,
N.C.; and [Ch. 1079, Session Laws, 19611 - maintaining always a democratic faith in the
Whereas Robert Lee Doughton was ap- THE ROBERT LEE DOUGHTON MEMORIAL wisdom of the electorate, remaining at all
pointed as a member of the Board of Agricul- COMMISSION times their good friend and counselor, their
ture of the State of North Carolina in 1063, Membership: 25 members. devoted and loyal Representative; and
serving with distinction until he was elected Term: At will of the Governor. Whereas Robert Lee Doughton in both
to the State senate from the 35th district C. A. Cannon, chairman, Rannapolis, No- public and private life was a man of great
in 1908, after which time he devoted his vember 14, 1961, Cabarrus County. faith, of firm spiritual convictions, which was
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 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD - HOUSE
proceeded into the harbor and dropped
anchor where the harbormaster directed.
A trained investigator might have de-
tected an undercurrent of feeling, but
official calls were made and the social
amenities were observed. For 3 weeks
no untoward incident occurred.
Then, at 9:40 p.m, on February 15,
two explosions threw parts of the ship
200 feet in the air and illuminated the
whole harbor.
Reports of the disaster were received
in the United States with consternation.
Accusations against the Spaniards were
freely' expressed in certain American
newspapers. Most Americans held Spain
responsible,. although the evidence was
never sufficient to fix the blame officially.
Some 2 months later came the Spanish-
American War which was to mark the
collapse of the Spanish Empire and the
emergence of the United States as a
world power. .
Referring to the, slogan, "Remember
the Maine," Captain Sigsbee, the com-
mander of the ship, later had this to say:
Thercfore.I conceive the motto, "Remember
the Maine" used as a war cry would not have
been justifiable. Improperly applied, the
motto * * ? savors' too much of re-
venge * * * but it may be used in an en-
tirely worthy sense. During the recent war
with Spain about 75 men were killed and
wounded in the U.S. Navy. Only 17 were
killed. On board the Maine 252 men were
killed outright and 8 died later-nearly 15
times as many as were killed in the U.S. Navy
by the Spanish land 'and naval forces during
the entire war. In the way that the men of
the Maine died and suffered there was enough
of the heroic to provide a sound foundation
for the motto, "Remember the Maine."
It is in this way that we, In our ob-
servance here today, seek to "Remember
the Maine."
Mr. MULTER. Mr. `Speaker, 67 years
ago these headlines flashed across my
home State of New York, "Maine Blown
to Atoms in Havana Harbor: Over 100
of Her Crew Killed. Three-million-dol-
lar Battleship Destroyed by a Terrific and
Mysterious Explosion While Her Men Are
Today, on the anniversary of this dis-
aster, we remember that it was this news
which Ignited the sympathies of the
American people and' which pushes a
long series of events toward a climax.
On April 25, 1898,'the United States de-
clared war against Spain and the Span-
ish-American War began. And it began,
said President McKinley, "in the name of
humanity, in the name of civilization, in
behalf of endangered American inter-
ests."
The actual cause of the destruction of
the Maine remains now as it was then a
mystery.. No conclusive proof has ever
been produced which could definitely fix
the blame in the tragedy. But in 1898,
as the news spread that 260 American
officers and crewmen had lost their lives
and a somenewspapers freely accused
Spanish agents of responsibility, public
opinion, already in strong and open sym-
pathy with Cuban patriots, crystallized
Into the slogan: "Remember the
Maine."
For years, the Cuban people had
sought to throw off Spanish misrule and
oppression. They had engaged in a he-
role but unsuccessful effort for independ-
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ence between 1868 and 1878, the Ten
Years' War. During that revolution the
American people, though strongly sym-
pathetic to the Cuban cause, had only
given expressions of support.
But in 1895, when revolution broke out
anew against the continuing corruption
of the Spanish administration, the peo-
ple of the United States showed Increas-
ing alarm. From the beginning, the
struggle in Cuba took on aspects of fe-
rocity that horrified Americans. Vivid
accounts were reported to the public in
a theretofore unprecedented 'era of
journalistic coverage.
The extreme methods of coercion used
by Gen. Valeriano Weyler-or "Butcher"
Weyler, as he. soon came to be called by
the press-were well known. Americans
watched helplessly ' as he, in an attempt
to stamp out the Cuban guerrilla forces,
ordered the entire civilian population of
certain areas confined to concentration
camps. There, they died by the thou-
sands, victims of disease, malnutrition,
and atrocities.
Against this background, It is not sur-
prising that when the battleship Maine
exploded a white-hot wave of anger
gripped the American people. Within a
few short months, 1 million of the young
men of this country had volunteered to
fight side by side with the Cuban patriots
until the despotism of Spain could be re-
moved from that island.
There are some who seek to detract
from the American contribution to the
Cuban cause, but, as an editorial from
the Havana Post of 1959 states:
There can be no successful mutilation of
the history of Cuban and U.S. allied coopera-
tion in the war of independence. * * * One
has only to see those names on the bronze
plaques on San Juan Hill, just outside Santi-
ago, to know the extent of the aid given the
cause by the United States.
On those plaques, one finds inscribed
the names of Americans from every State of
the Union who gave for the cause of Cuba
the most that any man can give for any
cause. They gave their lives.
Today, we pay tribute to the idealistic
and courageous young men who fought
for and gave their lives for the freedom
and independence of a neighboring peo-
ple. We pay special tribute, also to the
valor and the patience of the Cuban peo-
ple who have found it necessary to strug-
gle almost continually over the years for
their liberties.
And today, a black cloud is again
heavy over this beautiful Caribbean is-
land. Its people again know the horrors
of tyranny. Again, they are showing
courage and heroism in their struggle
against it. Today, as we remember the
Maine of 67 years ago, let us also re-
member the present.
Mr. - PUCINSKI. Mr. Speaker,
throughout our history, America has
responded to acts of aggress'on with a
special courage, decisiveness and will to
succeed which have become legendary
in the annals of the defense of liberty.
Regardless of the strength of our op-
ponents, those who have challenged us
have been defeated or deterred. We have
often succeeded in making allies of
former enemies; individuals and govern-
ments wise enough to join in the ancient
and enduring struggle for .peace and
liberty.
2615
America, itself, symbolizes many things
to the people of the earth. Of all these
symbols, perhaps our greatest strength
lies in our ability to sustain countless ir-
responsible acts and errors of statesman-
ship with patience and prevailing wis-
dom. However, foolishly unmindful of
our determination to defend our freedom,
other nations have on. occasion mis-
judged our patience for cowardice and
indecision.
Such an error in judgment led Spain
into believing we would not defend our
interest. s in the Carribbean. On Febru-
ary 15,_ 1898, the Battleship Maine was
sunk in Havana Harbor. And before the
world had time to digest the news, the
United States had reacted swiftly, surely
and with great strength. Our war with
Spain involved some of the bloodiest and
most individually gallant sacrifices in our
history, yet they were in our American
tradition and, in the end, our just cause
prevailed.
Although some '67 years have passed,
we have continued to demonstrate our
strength and our determination never to
yield when the price is the loss of liberty
for ourselves or our allies. Those in
other nations who would wish us ill had
best be reminded of our willingness to
bear any burden to secure liberty for all
those men who seek it'and who will join
in fighting alongside us to obtain it..
The men who fought at San Juan Hill,
at Bunker Hill, at Pork Chop Hill earned
us the right to live in peace with one an-
other and the world. We would do them
a grave injustice if we failed in our his-
toric defense of the self-determination
all men seek in their hearts,
On this 67th anniversary of the sink-
ing of the Maine, it is an honor to stand
with my colleagues and fellow cit?zens in
commemorating the heroism and the
love of justice which have made our
country the bulwark of freedom through-
out the world.
GENERAL LEAVE TO EXTEND
Mr. O'HARA of Illinois. Mr. Speak-
er, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in
which to extend their remarks on this
subject.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
objection to the request of the gentleman
from Illinois?
Thee was no objection.
BE WAR IN VIETNAM AND AMERI-
CAN DEFENSE POLICY
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr.
HawKINS). Under previous order of the
House the gentleman from Oklahoma
[Mr. EDMONDSON] is recognized for 20
minutes.
(Mr. EDMONDSON asked and was
given permission to revise and extend his
remarks and to include extraneous mat-
ter.)
Mr. EDMONDSON. Mr. Speaker, the
past week has served to bring home
forcefully the hard and bitter truth that
our country is engaged in war in Viet-
nam.
It has, been apparent for some time
that our Government's stake In the sav-
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2616
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -HOUSE February 15
age struggle in Vietnam is a major one,
with more than 23,000 American officers
and men engaged in assisting the forces
of South Vietnam, at a daily cost in
excess of $2 million.
On February 6, Vietcong guerrilla
forces entered an American air base at
Pleiku and blasted planes, helicopters,
and barracks on the base, leaving 8 of
our enlisted men dead and more than 125
wounded.
The following day, the President of the
United States ordered an air strike
against military targets in North Viet-
nam, and fighter bombers from three of
our carriers were involved In action more
than 50 miles north of the 17th parallel,
which divides North and South Vietnam.
The President proceeded to order the
withdrawal of 1,800 American depend-
ents from Vietnam, and declared on be-
half of our Government: .
We have no choice now but to clear the
decks and make absolutely clear our con-
tinued determination to back South Vietnam
in its fight to maintain its independence.
In the days which have followed that
presidential announcement, Vietcong
forces have engaged in another savage
attack upon quarters occupied by Ameri-
can forces, inflicting heavy casualties
and bringing the total number of Ameri-
cans dead by Vietcong action to nearly
300.
In response to the enemy attack of
February 9, 160 planes of the United
States and South Vietnam joined in the
largest aerial attack of the long conflict,
striking at a series of supply depots and
military barracks north of the 17th
parallel.
The scope of the massive air strike on
February 10, in which more than 100
planes from American carriers at sea
joined fighter-bombers of the American
Air Force and those of South Vietnam,
spoke far more effectively than mere
words of this Nation's "continued deter-
mination."
HOMEFRONT QUESTIONS
In the wake of an unquestioned escala-
tion of military action during the past
week, many Americans were asking
searching questions-both publicly and
privately-concerning the course of the
war.
With regard to the central aim of our
presence in Vietnam, the President has
left no room for reasonable doubt. He
has said publicly that he considers it
"essential" to American interests to, de-
feat the Communist aggression against
South Vietnam. He has declared his
conviction that our failure there "would
convince every nation in south Asia that
it must now bow to Communist terms
to survive."
Notwithstanding these strong words,
with their clear commitment of U.S.
prestige as declared by the Nation's Chief
Executive, the charge is now heard in
more than one quarter that the extent
and validity of that commitment remain
uncertain and ill-defined.
In the New York Times for Sunday,
February 14, 1965, both Arthur Krock
and James Reston have voiced their pro-
test over White House failure to "make
things clear" and to advise of "plans to
meet whatever contingencies may arise
from the new U.S. policy of immediate
and increasingly powerful military re-
prisal."
Mr. Krock and Mr. Reston were chiefly
concerned with the absence of informa-
tion and knowledge at home concerning
the depth and breadth of our Vietnam
commitment.
Other competent observers, however,
have been even more concerned about
the effect of uncertainty in the Commu-
nist world.
Writing in the Washington Post for
February 14, 1965, Donald S. Zagoria-
in an article entitled, "Communists Doubt
Our Will in Vietnam"-reported as fol-
lows:
The Communists have long believed that
the United States would not have the pa-
tience or will to stick out the war and re-
cent statements by influential Americans
calling for negotiation and/or withdrawal al-
most certainly increased their optimism.
They have all along eagerly seized on any
American statements urging negotiation and
withdrawal. In the past 6 months, several
prominent American Senators, columnists,
and newspapers have called for negotiations
and, in the absence of a clear-cut policy,
rumors developed that the administration
was In favor of negotiation.
All this doubtless strongly reinforced the
Communist belief that victory in South Viet-
nam was close at hand.
In the opinion of Mr. Zagoria, "two
bombing attacks will not suffice" as suf-
ficient pressure "to bring a reluctant Ho
Chi Minh to the conference table."
They will not so easily give up at the con-
ference table what they have fought so hard
and so long on the battlefield to achieve,
and at a time when final victory seems near-
Mr. Zagoria concludes.
A member of Columbia University's
Research Institute on Communist Affairs
and theauthor of "The Sino-Soviet Con-
flict, 1956-61," Mr. Zagoria has impres-
sive credentials as a commentator on
Communist thinking. His conclusion
that the Communists question our will
and determination in Vietnam may well
provide the key to understanding of Viet-,
tong policy.
Mr. Roscoe Drummond, also writing
in the Washington Post on February 14,
shares the view that American policy
statements "have not persuaded the
Asian Communists the United States
really believes that turning back the ag-
gression against South Vietnam is es-
sential. Or that we intend to do what-
ever is necessary to see that this aggres-
sion will not be defeated."
The reason is-
Writes Mr. Drummond-
that actions, not words, make policy believ-
able to the enemy. Our actions in Vietnam
have not equaled our words. We have treat-
ed this was as though winning it were essen-
tial to South Vietnam but not essential to
the United States. We have for the most
part permitted North Vietnam to practice
aggression and enjoy immunity. Secretary
Rusk once gave a somber cease-and-desist-
Or-else warning. When it was not heeded, we
did nothing.
Up until the last week, Mr. Speaker,
that was more or less the situation, and
the plain truth about the impression
which we had created in Asia concerning
our policy in Vietnam. We were send-
ing thousands of men, and spending mil-
lions of dollars, but we were not con-
vincing the Communists of our inten-
tion to do everything necessary to defeat
aggression in Vietnam.
CHANCE IN DIRECTION
Now, in the words of Mr. Drummond,
"something more is being done."
We have undoubtedly convinced the
Communists in North Vietnam of our
intention and readiness to hit, and hit
very hard indeed, when American mili-
tary forces in Vietnam are attacked di-
rectly by the Vietcong. We have made
it very clear that North Vietnam is not
a privileged sanctuary, and we have dem-
onstrated that our forces are not afraid
to cross the 17th parallel.
Without question, we have also im-
pressed the Communists of Asia with the
quality and effectiveness of American air
forces-both land and sea-based-and of
the rising quality and effectiveness of the
air force of South Vietnam.
Finally, and notwithstanding some
critics, President Johnson has undoubt-
edly rallied the support of an overwhelm-
ing majority of his fellow citizens in sup-
port of his policies of the past week.
In the Congress, leaders of both parties
have spoken out strongly in support of
the air strikes on North Vietnam.
In the press, editorial comment across
the Nation has generally approved, and
most have agreed with the Seattle Times
that the President "has the overwhelm-
ing support of the American people."
Even Mr. Reston, in his largely critical
column, declared that "very few people
here question the necessity for a limited
expansion of the war by U.S. bombers
into Communist territory."
And yet, while there is general agree-
ment that the situation in Vietnam has
entered a radically new phase, I have
not found a single authority who believes
the bombing attacks of last week will re-
sult in early conclusion of the long and
bloody conflict-either by military vie-
tory or the conference table.
On the contrary, Mr. Zagoria is em-
phatic in the belief that "persistent and
heavy pressure" must be brought to bear
against the North, and offers the view
that "positive incentives"-both eco-
nomic and diplomatic-should also be
offered as an alternative to widespread
destruction in North Vietnam.
Mr. Drummond is convinced that we
must make it clear that we are prepared
to participate in joint air strikes with
the forces of South Vietnam in response
to Vietcong attacks upon Vietnamese
forces, as well as in response to attacks
upon Americans. Such a willingness is
indispensable to our relations with South
Vietnam, and would make even more
clear our determination to halt Commu-
nist aggression in that country.
The Drummond view on this last point
is shared by Rowland Evans and Robert
Novak, writing from on the scene in
Saigon, who say our relationship with
Vietnamese forces in the field is at stake
in the decision to use our planes to coun-
ter attacks upon the forces of South
Vietnam.
Unless our "forward strategy" of the
past week is "continued and intensified,"
in the view of these Saigon observers,
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