to end foreign aid to France and Italy by December 31 unless the two countries ratify the European Defense plan or an alternative before the aforementioned deadline. July 10 - An American embassy spokesman in Prague states that the embassy is attempting to secure the release of seven American soldiers that were seized by Czech frontier guards the previous July 4. July 13 - The Senate Finance Committee votes to authorize farm operations and professionals to decide whether they wish to be covered by the compulsory Social Security coverage, the vote conflicting with the wishes of the Eisenhower administration. July 14 - The Senate Armed Services Committee holds a closed-door session with acting United States Secretary of State Walter Bedell Smith and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Arthur W. Radford on the Eisenhower administration's foreign aid program. July 14 - It is disclosed that the United States has agreed to send Undersecretary of State Walter Bedell Smith to Geneva again after instigation from Britain and France. September 8 – The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed on September 8, 1954 as the Southeast Asian version of NATO aimed at preventing the spread of communism. October 1 - United States Secretary of Commerce Sinclair Weeks arrives in Kansas for a Republican centennial dinner. October 2 - Supreme Allied Commander Europe Alfred Gruenther says Russia would be defeated if launching an attack on western Europe at this time and that the western allies would have a good chance of stopping a Soviet onslaught within the next three to four years. October 2 - The Denver White House announces that the United States will send a navy-led expedition to the Antarctic and that the decision is in line with continued American interest in the area. October 4 - It is disclosed that India told Pakistan that American aid to Pakistan would bring consequences that would make it necessary for India to maintain forces in anticipation of aggression. October 4 - The Commerce Department announces the allocation of over 20 million in airport improvements within 164 communities. October 4 - George McConnaughey is sworn in as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission by Harold Burton. October 4 - Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission Lewis L. Strauss says that atomic tests have indicated that "spinach removes calcium from the body" during a discussion with the District of Columbia League of Republican