Evening star., 1946-04-14

III Will come from RUSSIAN attack on
Turkey, or some Moscow inspired coup
d'etat of the Kurds in Iraq, no one
can say But unquestionably there is
electricity in the air" in Washington
and a fear that we might be caught
unprepared to meet our own obligations.
Put Faith in U. N.
The people of the United States have
put all their eggs in one basket-the
United Nations organization. They
sincerely believed that it would provide
a cure-all for all the ills of the world.
They believed the reports from abroad
that all the other nations which had
fought the Axis were sick and tired Of
wars and were anxious to support the
new peace organization. They believed
that the defunct League of Nations
failed because America went "isola-
zionist" after the First World War and
also because there was no way to
enforce the will of the world on any
law-breaking nation.
The American people instructed their
Senators not only to accept the San
l. dAlSlGlO SIldI ICL do IL ildO DcCll dlUSu
by the American and foreign diplomats
but also to accept all the military bur-
dens provided in that Charter to bring
to book any country which would dare
break its golden rule.
Today, less than year after We
day, We are faced with situation which
may call once more for the use Of
force, not for any conquest or in op-
position to an ideology which we may
not like, but for the defense of the last
hope for world cooperation.
We are totally unprepared to meet
the obligations so light-heartedly ac-
cepted by the people of this country.
Our Army is shot to pieces. Our 100000
men are spread in the four corners Of
the globe and nowhere do we possess
cohesive force. The men abroad are
counting points to return home. This
is their principal concern and it is ques-
tionable whether they would acquit
themselves with the same heroism and
distinction as they did during the war.
New, unframed men are mixed with old,
disgruntled soldiers. The command is
in disrepute with the timers and
little respected by the newcomers,
thanks to the intense propaganda
| against the brass"
Officers Are Baffled.
The officers themselves are baffied.
| Those who went through the mutinies
| of last January are amazed that such
a thing could have happened in an
! American Army. Others who have been
| the target of vicious attacks are won-
dering how much backing they can
rely on from the authorities at home.
| The point system has disrupted the
| remaining units in the Pacific and in
| Europe. We have airplanes in the field
but no real air force. The formations,
because of the point system, lack either
| the necessary trained pilots or nlainte-
nance crews. Only the Navy has re-
mained homogeneous and a thorough
| fighting force. But for the time being
no one has discovered how to put rollers
on battleships, cruisers, carriers and de-
stroyers to enable them to fight on land.
To add to the worries of Gen. Eisen-
laborators who are responsible for the
training and efficiency of the land and
air forces Congress appears hesitant to
approve an extension of the draft bill.
The American people, who so enthu-
siastically Endorsed the San Francisco
Charter with all its military implica-
tions because they firmly hoped that "it
uyny,'t hor ~
their men back home but are also reluc-
tant to permit those of military age to
be taken into the armed forces. Neither
Russia nor any of her satellites has any
worry on that score.
War Department Aims High.
The compulsory military service which
has existed throughout Europe for
decades is still in full effect in all the
countries from the Adriatic to the Pa
ciflc. Young men of military age are be-
ing called yearly to the colors. They rep
resent yearly rejuvenation of the
Russo-satellite forces to between $780,
900 and 100000 men who are added to
the already large mass of troops under
arms.
The War Department aims hight
would like to have 100000 young Amer
leans under arms for the next two years.
But unless the draft bill is extended,
the chances are that it will not reach
half that number. There is no doubt in
any ones mind that If our existence
were threatened, we could easily become
once more the strongest power in the
world. But those responsible for the
security of America want to avoid new
break in the world peace and do not
wish to sacrifice more lives unnecessar-
lily. They hope to accomplish this aim
by a policy of extreme Cancellation to-
ward Russia and by the rapid organiza-
ton of the U. N
The storm clouds which have been
gathering in the last few weeks on the
horizon of Southern Europe and in the
Near and Middle East are ominous.
We may soon be faced with situations
which will call for decision-either to
support the U. N. with every available
means or let it 60 the way of the League
of Nations. In the former case we must
look at the situation realistically and
make up our minds to use the big stick.
The alternative is to allow the U. N. to
become mere debating society. In this
event, we must revise all our plans and
proceed with systematic organization
of our forces eventually to defend the
shores of the United States.
There is not single instance in his
tory to show that nation supported by