Haig urges House panel to back El Salvador aid

Secretary of State Alexander Haig made a "fervent plea" at a closed-door House committee meeting Tuesday to back the administration as it expands US military aid to El Salvador, a panel member said. The one-hour meeting with the House Foreign Affairs Committee followed Monday's State Department announcement that the United States is increasing the number of US military advisers to 54 and doubling its aid to $50 million.

State Department officials said Monday the jump in aid was decided upon after intelligence reports indicated in surgents were massing for another offensive.