Chayes Advises Arms Negotiations, Imaginative Aid to Poorer Nations

One of Senator John F. Kennedy's top advisers urged more American initiative in foreign affairs yesterday.

Speaking at the Hillel Round Table of World Affairs, Abram J. Chayes '43, professor of Law, pointed to arms control and aid to underdeveloped countries as the two major areas where initiative is needed.

It would not be difficult to negotiate a full-scale arms control system in the Western hemisphere, Chayes asserted. Such a system would "give the United States a chance to experiment with inspection techniques." At present, "any South American government can get the atom bomb, and any can fall under the control of a Castro or a Peron." Chayes also suggested negotiating an "arms embargo for black Africa."

Least Risky Approach

Arms controls, Chayes emphasized, "does not necessarily mean total disarmament, at least in its early stages." At the time, he attacked the idea that he present arms race is "riskless." "What we need," he said, "is the least risky combination of weapons and controls."

Chayes saw little chance for the United States or Russia to exercise initiative outside the fields or arms control and aid to underdeveloped nations. He termed prospects for successful summit conference or foreign ministers' negotiations with the Soviets "not very promising"."