Evening star., 1947-11-12
Eisenhower Promises
u. ). Forces Won't Be
Too Little, Too Late

Gen. Eisenhower assured the Pres
ident's Air Policy Commission here
late yesterday that our military
forces will not be too little and too
late" in the next national emer-
gency, if the people understand the
present world situation. d
Asked by a commission member
to enlarge on the theme, the Chief
of Staff explained that "the world
still respects force" and there is
growing theological conflict be-
tween those who defend 1.-The dig
nifty of man" and those who wish to
make 1.-The rights of the state" su-
preme.
IF we believe in the dignity OF
man." Gen. Eisenhower declared
I'VE will remain strong in every
thing needed to support the United
Nations, including military force
and that also means a strong Air
Force in being"
Holds War Unlikely Now.
Opening testimony on the security
phase of National air policy, the
General told the commission no
world power. barring an accident OF
sheer stupidity, is now in an eco
nomic position to launch a total
war.
He emphasized that our re-arma-
ment should be step-by-step pro-
gression aimed at a target year
some years hence. Unif1cation of
the armed services, he said, should
enable the country to build up an
adequate security force without
threatening the way of life we are
anxious to defend.
In answer to question, the Gen.
eral said the selection of a target
year" when our defenSeS can be
developed into well rounded whole
should be a stimulus to our 1ntelll-
gence system, national alertness and
planning with the assurance that
the plans will be activated.
Asked to comment on what sup
port We should be prepared to give
the United Nations, Gen. Eisenhower
said that, while this is not a ques-
ton of Army responsibility, our view
is that the governments of the world
will substitute the council table for
the battlefield, or civilization as we
know it will cease to exist"
Must Support U. N.
He declared the belief that the
United States must support the
United Nations with moral, eco
nomic, industrial and military
strength
The General re-aff1rmed his faith
in disarmament, but only when
man has been removed from the fear
of war" He pointed out that the
United States had had no luck with
disarmament in the past.
The world would have no reason
to suspect us if we re-armed, the
General said. because democracy
can never be an aggreSsor." The
whole world would know about 1t
Immediately, he said, II we re-acti-
waited a single regiment. although
this was not the case with totali-
tartan country like Nazi Germany
which re-armed In secret under
Hitler for surprise attack.
Military Readiness.
The General declared. in response
to question, that the United States
should maintain an equal military
rea diness with that of a potential
aggressor, although this would not
mean equality in the number OF
men under arms. This readiness,
he said, should be backed by a
production capacity second to none
and with which nothing should he
allowed to interfere.
Asked if an atomic bomb attack
might paralyze our industrial
centers, the General replied that
such a bomb might be imported Sc
cretly or by sabotage, but stimuli
taneous bombing of our industry"
could only occur if the Nation grows
weak. Such an attack, he added,
might 'injure industry beyond It's
point of recovery"
This possibility, he said, is q
major reason for an Air Force In
being rather than in the planning
stage-one capable of quick retalia-
ton.
Halls UnifcatiOn of Services
IT believe that uniflcation Of the
services" the General said. "is the
greatest step forward in my lifetime
The General said that, as the years
go on, the relative Importance OF
the Air Force in the first 80 or sc
days Of conflict will increase, and
that we must think OF the force IN
terms Of ability to reach the target
1t would be q mistake, however
to minimize the role Of the Navy
and ground forces, he added.
IF our Air Force must send up
interceptors from advanced bases,
he said, they must be supplied and
supported by the Navy. and the
ground forces must seize or hold the
| bases"
Advance radar warning nets must
be planned, along with communica-
tions systems and auxiliary services
In the field of research and develop
ment, the General said, he himself
had discarded certain scientific prof.
ects, and Congress had further re-
d,1oo5 tho c,,r,, for thu uyhoJa y,,o II