Evening star., 1946-10-09
u. s. Seeks 70 Avert
Big Stick Threat in
|B-D World Flight
sy The Associated Press

4 -
Final Government approval OF
la projected globe -girdling fight
by as many as two dozen BIS
Super Fortresses hung today on
a diplomatic 'if."
Off1cials privately predicted that
the State Department probably will
approve the Army Air Forces plans
for the flight--if some way can be
found to minimize the venture as a
type of "big stick" diplomacy.
The problem confronting the State
Department is that whatever the
projects intent, diplomats here and
In foreign Offices around the world
appear certain to read into 1t various
political implications.
This is a source of concern to
American officials who contend that
United States relations with Russia
although based at present on Sec
retary of State Byrnes' policy Of
"firmness must be kept in balance.
They particularly do not want to
present any evidence of sword
rafting or other gestures which
might upset world affairs at par
ticularly difficult juncture.
Tough Policy" Creates Issue.
Russia already has built propa-
ganda campaign around what critics
call anti-Soyiet American diplomacy.
Furthermore, former Secretary Of
Commerce Wallace here. as we'll as
various leaders abroad, have raised
a major public issue over what they
variously term tough policy" to-
ward Russia or the need for a new
approach to Russian relations.
The round-the-wor fight plan
was announced to news conference
late yesterday by Undersecretary of
War Symington.
He said the fight would go by
way of Cairo, India and the Pacific,
would include between eight and
"a of the Army's heaviest regular
service bombers and definitely would
be made in the next few weeks III
the State Department approves"
Formal Proposal Awaited.
At the State Department, officials
promptly let 1t be known that they
had only a vague fore knowledge
of Mr.. Symington's 81 announcement.
They added they Would make no
decision before receiving the formal
proposal.
Some expected the whole matter
might have to 90 before President
Truman.
Mr.. Symington made two state
ments to newsmen implying possible
diplomatic significance in the
project.
He said this flight will compare
with round the world voyages made
in earlier days by the American
fleet"
He also declared that the "air
forces must be considered of pri-
mary Importance" in carrying out
United States national policies.
Recently the Navy, with special
squadrons in the Mediterranean and
aircraft carriers moving back and
forth, has held the spotlight as an
instrument of national policy.
The Army Air Forces, however,
made one bid for public recognition
with the trans-Polar '.Pacusan
Dreamboat" flight from Honolulu to
Cairo last week end. In terms Of
public attention. globe -circling
feet Of planes would advance the
Army Air, Forces interest much
more. Il
Mr.. Symington termed the
Dreamboat fight ''but another
proof" that Gen. Carl Spaatz, AAF
commander, and his staff ARE right
when they emphasize the danger. OF
an attack over the Polar regions"
Describing the B-2s as "the only
production airplane capable Of car-
rrying an atom bomb" Mr.. Syming-
ton said "few people realize what a
revolution in military development
has been effected" by the develop
ment of the Super Fortress.
The Undersecretary responded with
a quick NO" however, to question
whether either actual or dummy
bombs would be carried on the flight.
Mr.. Symington's reference to sur
face feet excursions In earlier days
recalled President Theodore Roose-
velts action in 1907 in sending a
battleship force on a practice
cruise" across the Pacific and then
around the world.