Show TAFT Constructive Criticism In a speech which he called ton eon criticism of ot the admin Sen Robert A A. Taft of Ohio served notice that the R Re Republican e publican party part pledged Itself to securing a greater gruter voice in policy pol pol- Ic icy making The senator based his criticism on what he called the President legal right to send end American troops to Europe He lie added that we had better commit no American troops to the European continent at this time Mr Taft expressed a tide of thought that has been growing throughout the United States since reverses in Korea namely that the defense of Europe was primarily western Europe's responsibility not ours Undoubtedly the most powerful Republican in the senate Taft seemed to be serving notice on the administration that that congress Intended in In- In tended to cut in on the Presidents President power to formulate foreign policy If U the Republicans are willing to push the question It could lead to toa a state of confusion in congress never before belore seen een in a time of crisis One of the most startling statements state ments of the senators senator's speech was the one when he said the US U.S. ought to go along for the time being in the UN U.N. for tor its value as a world forum but that the Instrumentality was mortally weak in having been founded not upon Justice but upon the power of its leading mem- mem bers To the people in the home hometowns towns of the country who had placed their faith In the United i Nations it was like a blow below the bel belt t. t Was is possible that some of the nations nation's leading legislators believed that the United Nations was as dead as the League of Nations Was it possible that some of our prominent prominent nent leaders favored US U.S. withdrawal withdraw withdraw- al from the United Nations Tafts Taft's speech put those questions into the minds of many Two days after his policy speech Senator Taft announced he was In favor of pulling US U.S. troops out of Korea and setting up a new Pacific defense line Une based on Formosa and Japan For these he would fight he said He then warned that If it Russia attacks attacks at at- I I tacks western Europe It means war |