Carter Calls for Senate Ratification Of SALT Treaty

WASHINGTON--With both party leaders in the Senate still refusing to endorse the new Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) pact, President Carter yesterday warned that the United States will suffer a serious loss of trust among North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies if the Senate does not ratify the new agreement.

"The United States will be looked upon as warmongers," Carter said yesterday at a White House meeting.

Senate Democratic leader Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) said yesterday he would not be "intimidated" by the idea that his vote alone could destroy the pact's chances for ratification. Byrd added that two major debates in the Senate would probably determine the vote. One discussion would concern the possibilities of hidden Soviet advantage in the treaty and the other would deal with the difficulties in verifying Soviet claims.

Adapt or Die

Senate Republican leader Howard H. Baker Jr. (R-Tenn.) suggested significant changes may be necessary to save the treaty.

"I have a strong feeling the treaty is likely to be amended or returned for further negotiations," Baker said.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is currently considering the bill before it passes to the Armed Services Committee, Byrd said. Floor debate in the Senate will be delayed until September, he added.