- 4 -


We are all products of our experience and Mr. Nixon is no 
exception. After twenty-five years of fighting communism, real 
and imaginary, at home and abroad, Mr. Nixon has shown himself
at the crucial moment unwilling to settle for a "reasonable 
chance" in the contest with Vietnamese communism.  He still
wants the victory and the submission of the enemy that have 
eluded two presidents for seven years.  His prejudices, and 
perhaps the background in which those were formed, seem to 
have incapacitated this President for making a compromise peace.

The President's incapacity has mm thrust the responsibility 
upon the shoulders of a Congress which has long struggled to
escape it. But the responsibility is now inescapable. It is 
up to Congress, through its appropriations power, to bring 
about a peace in which both sides in South Vietnam will have 
a chance for power.  That is the kind of peace Kissinger 
almost attained, end it must be recognized that an essential 
element to such an agreement is that it might result eventually 
in a Communist South Vietnam.  If the Thieu regime is capable 
of marshaling its superior resources and inspiring the loyalty 
of its people, it will prevail without further American 
participation. But if it cannot, the Vietcong will prevail. That is 
the meaning -- the only possible meaning --  of a "reasonable 
chance."

Power end responsibility go together. If Congress legislates 
an end to the war leaving Mr. Thieu no more than a "reasonable 
chance" for survival, Congress, and not the President, will be 
accountable for the consequences of such a settlement.  If 
South Vietnam then went Communist, it would not be Mr. Nixon's
Fault; it would not be his "defeat and humiliation."  But if, 
as I believe, America should find itself freer, stronger and 
happier in peace than It has been In a decade, regardless of the 
final result in Vietnam, that too would go on Congress’s account 
and not on the account of an incapacitated President.

For several decades American Presidents have made war as 
they saw fit because Congress seemed incapable of asserting 
its constitutional war power.  Now, in an ironic twist of 
events, the President seem incapable of making peace and it is 
up to Congress to fill the void.  It is a considerable 
responsibility, but it cannot be avoided.  If Congress does not now 
accept responsibility for ending the war, then it must share 
in full measure with Mr. Nixon the responsibility for 
perpetuating it.