FRANKFURT, Nov. 28 — Sen. Robert A. Taft (R-Ohio) told a press conference here today that American policy toward Russia and on Berlin would have been the same "even if the Republican Party had won the Presidential election."
The chairman of the important Republican Party Policy Committee, who arrived here this morning from Basle with his wife, said "there might have been a few changes, but our attitude toward Russia and on Berlin would have been the same."
Asked about the present situation in Germany, he countered that "you probably know more about it than I as this is my first trip abroad since the war." The Senator said he was in no position to give any statement on American politics since he left the U.S. two days after the election and due to "unforeseen results" no plans had been made.
Taft said he favored "in general" the policy of JEIA and the ERP and that "I am in favor of increasing exports from Germany to pay for imports." He said he noticed much more reconstruction in Italy than he has seen so far in Germany.
Asked if the air lift to Berlin was worth what it costs the American taxpayer, Taft replied: "That is American foreign policy, which I think we are all supporting. I am not going to criticize or approve."
He conferred with top Army and MG officials in Frankfurt today. Tomorrow he is scheduled to inspect the operation of the air lift and visit EUCOM Hq in Heidelberg.
Tuesday he will fly to the Ruhr for an inspection of coal mines, and will leave Germany for Amsterdam Wednesday noon.
Taft said he had not definitely planned to attend UN sessions while in Paris but that he probably would do so.
In reply to the question of whether he would seek re-election as U.S. Senator from Ohio in 1950, he declared that as far as he knew now he would be a candidate.