Nation: THE SENATE ON VIET NAM: Anxiety & Assent

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The U.S. Senate takes with dedicated seriousness its traditional role of watchdog on foreign policy, stemming from its constitutional powers of advice and consent on treaties and the appointment of ambassadors. Senate sentiment about present U.S. policy toward Viet Nam therefore becomes of vital concern. How do the members of the Senate feel about Viet Nam? Last week TIME'S congressional correspondents interviewed almost a score of the Senate's members—a sampling ranging across regional, party and ideological lines. Among those who were not interviewed were Senators whose views have long been on the record—such as Oregon Democrat Wayne Morse, who thinks the U.S. has no business in Viet Nam (said Morse, in a Senate speech last week: "I have been asked by more people than I would have thought possible if there is not grounds for impeachment of the President"), and Republican Leader Everett Dirksen, who has professed himself willing to follow wherever the Democratic President may lead militarily in Viet Nam.

TIME'S interviews disclosed a wide range of Senate unhappiness. But mostly, despite their uneasiness, the Senators seemed willing to substitute anxiety and assent for advice and consent. Senatorial quotes:

Georgia Democrat Richard Russell, chairman of the Armed Services Com mittee: "The West has made about every conceivable blunder in Viet Nam since the time the fighting started over there. But there isn't a way out just now. We are deeply committed, and it's been a growing commitment. We can't leave now without breaking our word, and that would be worst of all."

Mississippi Democrat John Stennis, chairman of the Senate Preparedness Subcommittee: "Within the Senate, there is solid support for standing firm in Viet Nam. Within the group, there are a great many regrets that we are in there. But we are in there. Our flag is committed. Our boys are committed. We've got to back them up. We would invite much more serious trouble elsewhere in Asia and throughout the world if we set a precedent in being pushed out. I regret that we got in there. And I regret the extent to which we have become committed—particularly because we are committed alone. I don't think we can continue to go it alone indefinitely. I continue to think that others will help us in Viet Nam. We can't pull out."

Utah Democrat Frank Moss: "I have misgivings because I can't see what the ultimate outcome will be. My problem is the same as it is for so many others. When I'm asked what to do, I am at a loss to answer."